Highland Flame (Highland Brides) by Lois Greiman Page A

they were left alone with only one glowering guard.
    "Ye may bring his meal, Nevin." Flame said.
    "Nay!" Nevin's tone was harsh. Roderic watched Flame turn in that direction.
    "What say ye?"
    "My apologies, lady. But I cannot bear to see ye with his kind. Let me guard him, for your life is worth a thousand of my own and I would sooner cut my heart from my chest than see thee hurt."
    This Nevin was a dramatic one, Roderic thought. But Flame's expression softened.
    "I appreciate your concern, cousin. But I think I am safe enough for the time being."
    "Do not trust him, lady. Do not sit too near. Indeed, ye should return to the comfort of your rooms and let me see to his needs."
    "That will not be necessary," she said.
    So Nevin was her cousin, Roderic thought, but approaching footsteps captured his attention. A young woman drew near, carrying a bucket in each hand. She had wide, brown eyes and a full mouth. "Me lady," she said before dipping her attention momentarily to Roderic.
    He smiled. "Hello, lass. What be yer name?"
    She shifted her gaze rapidly to Nevin and back. "Marjory ..." She faltered, uncertain. "Sir."
    "They call me Roderic."
    Marjory shifted her gaze nervously to the water and tossed one metal-bound bucket in, but there was no way for her to fetch it back without wetting her shoes.
    It seemed perfectly natural for Roderic to wade into the burn to fill and retrieve it for her. Marjory eyed his bare chest and blinked as he handed her the filled pail.
    Roderic smiled. He loved women and women loved him. 'Twas an agreeable arrangement. " 'Tis a bonny day. What happened to yer wrist, lass?"
    She pulled her arm back so that her sleeve could cover the discolored skin of her wrist. " 'Tis nothing. I but fell, sir..."
    "Roderic," he corrected, and taking the second wooden bucket from her, filled it in the same manner.
    "Thank ye," she breathed as her hand touched his.
    "Me pleasure, Marjory."
    She nodded, glanced quickly at Nevin, then turned and hurried back to the castle.
    Roderic watched her retreat for a moment, then waded upstream to crouch before the lady warrior. Water reached halfway to his knee. "Ye MacGowans are na such a bad lot."
    "I'm sure we're all very grateful to have earned your good regard," Flame said dryly.
    Roderic chuckled, pulling up one knee to settle an elbow upon it.
    Flame's gaze flitted quickly to where his plaid was displaced, and he watched, noticing her disconcerted expression. 'Twas not his fault he was a handsome devil, he thought and almost smiled.
    "Yer people are na so much different than me own," he observed. "Each making his life the best he can. 'Tis a shame I canna stay longer."
    For a moment she said nothing, but when he turned back to her, her brows had risen, and her green eyes looked cool enough to frost glass.
    "Do ye plan to leave us soon then, Forbes?"
    "Aye." He did smile now. He had seen a good bit of the world, from London to Madrid, and found that each place had its share of bonny lasses. Some were aloof and some were shy, but this woman had a combination of both attributes that intrigued him. "I dunna want ta go," he said, "but I fear I canna wait about for Leith's arrival."
    "Nay?" She still held the jeweled knife with which she had cut his bounds. His gaze settled on it momentarily.
    "Nay," he said regretfully and shrugged. "For ye see, I am a man that doesna like strife. Oh, I enjoy a friendly brawl as well as the next Scot, but I dunna like to see any man shed his blood for na good cause. Much as I would enjoy acquainting meself with ye and yers, I canna await me brother's coming."
    "Indeed?" There was a strange tone to her voice, and when he turned to her he saw that her lips were pressed into a bonny pucker as though to prevent a smile from escaping.
    He didn't guard his own expressions so jealously. "Indeed."
    "And how, may I ask, are ye planning to escape? The stairs are the only exit from the tower and they will be well guarded."
    He watched her in silence. The