Knight Protector (Knight Chronicles) (22 page)

“While possible, and I concede she is capable of it, nae proof exists that she stole it.”

Sorcha straightened, balling her fists at her sides. “Just as there is nae proof I stole it. You will have to decide what you believe without proof.”

Colin hung his head. “God forgive me, I canna. But I will take nae action on this either. Whoever stole the ring, I have it now, and the truth will out.”

Sorcha stared at him. How could he still nae see the truth? Disbelief soured her stomach. “Then we’ve nae more to talk about. I’ll bid you goodnight.”
May you rot in hell with your murdering brother
.

“Nae, Sorcha.” Colin moved to block her escape. “We do have more to discuss.”

“With so little trust between us, what could we possibly wish to share with each other?”

“We must find the traitors. We will find them.”

She pushed away from the bedpost and paced the room. “How can you believe so? We’ve been trying to identify our spies for weeks. We have only vague suspicions and one false letter to show to Coillteach when he arrives. For all we ken, the chamberlain has destroyed the letter. Nothing has changed, despite all our efforts. ʼTis almost as if someone anticipates what we try to do and finds ways to block or divert us.” ʼTwas as close as she could come to accusing Colin outright. Confess
,
she prayed. Say something that will make false Ranulf’s hints and suspicions.

“All you say is true.” He walked to her and, before she could read his intention, swept a kiss across her cheek. Once that caress might have comforted, now it agitated. Had he been using her passions against her all along? She turned her back to him.

“However,” Colin continued, “even if we have naught better to show Coillteach, he will help us, and we’ll capture the traitors. They will give up all they ken once they believe they can bargain for their lives instead of facing the headsman.”

She swept around, fists on hips and chin in the air. “Are you certain? What if Coillteach doesna believe you—just as you doubt me despite my vow to the contrary? What if he suspects you of treason—just as you suspect me of theft? What if he blames you—as you blame me?” She skirted the dangerous topic of his loyalty to Scotland, giving him a chance to tell her the truth himself.

“I have worked for him for years. He trusts me. He trusts my judgment. You know this, so why the sudden doubts?”

She paced away again then faced him, shoulders hunched in doubt. Suddenly weary of dancing around the subject, she decided to risk all. Maybe if she could dispel all of the treasonous suspicions, he would be able to believe her—just as she needed to believe him. “I had the strangest conversation with Ranulf just before he left with you last night. I had thought you wanted him here. Nae one told me of any change to your plans.”

Colin studied her with narrowed eyes. “I did want him here. You are nae safe until this ruse is over and done and Clan Marr knows the truth. What did he say to you?”

Ranulf said ... I ken he ... he is your friend, but, well, I fear you may be mistaken in him. He accuses you of being the traitor.” She lifted her chin again.

Colin snorted. “You jest.”

“Nae, I dinna.” She straightened to her full height. If she was going to have it out with Colin, she would nae cower. Whatever the result, she would face it head on. And God have mercy on them both.

His gaze narrowed even more.

“You make nae sense. He is my best friend. We have fought side by side in many a battle. We share the same hopes and dreams for Scotland. For years, we’ve both served Lord Coillteach’s efforts to protect Scotland. If Ranulf betrays Scotland, then so do I.”

“But ʼtis exactly what he said to me. He said, you are nae what you seem to be, and I should nae let you deceive me. He claimed you arranged for Brice to be poisoned and for Alex to be drowned.”

Colin lost color in his cheeks and lips. His eyes went wide and his mouth slack. Then ruddiness flooded his visage, his eyes turned flinty, and his mouth snapped shut. He shrank away from her without moving at all.

“Tell me everything, every word, action, look that passed between you during this ... conversation.”

She told him exactly as the conversation had unfolded. Reviewing the events, she became more confused. In one context Ranulf’s every word made sense. But looked at differently ʼtwas only evident that the knight maligned Colin to no purpose. ʼTwas the only instance she could recall that Ranulf had expressed any real concern for her. She’d taken him in dislike at their first meeting and suspected he felt the same. A man did nae do favors for a person he disliked without motive. What could be gained by working so hard to convince her that Colin was a villain?

By the time she finished, Colin had crossed both arms over his chest and looked at her with raised brows.

“Is that all Ranulf said? That some among Scotland’s Guardians imagine I might commit murder and treason simply because I have one English friend?”

Confused, she blinked at him. “When you put it like that, it sounds like mere spite, but Ranulf certainly presented it differently.”

Colin rolled his eyes. “Ranulf is nae always clear and concise. He often speaks in a way that obscures his meaning. Usually he tries to cover such lapses with humor. Did he nae make any sort of joke?”

Could that remark about men’s empty promises to women have been in jest? Ranulf’s ambiguous humor at the expense of others ʼtwas one of the things she disliked most about the big man. “He did make a half-laughing reference to the ways in which men deceive women by promising anything then doing exactly as they please.”

“There.” Colin waved a hand in the air and bent his head. “’Tis obvious you misunderstood the whole conversation.”

Sorcha frowned. She had nae misunderstood. “I dinna believe so, Colin. Ranulf’s expression, his entire demeanor was in dead earnest, and he was nae smiling.”

His jaw clenched, and he glared at her as he stepped forward. “Ranulf is too true a friend to play such a trick. I’ll nae hear another word against him. Do you understand me?”

She gulped. “Aye, Colin, I understand perfectly.”

“Excellent.” His jaw and stance relaxed, and he moved to circle her shoulders with his arm. “We have both had a long night. Come to bed now, and we will take a ride tomorrow. We’ve been too long cooped up in this chamber, and are perhaps too close to our problems to see them clearly.”

“Nae” She slid away from his grasp. She needed time to herself if she was to try to be pleasant and open of mind. “I will ride with you on the morrow, but for tonight, I will sit in the chair by the fire, since we didna yet bring my pallet back. I am restless and wouldna disturb your sleep.” Colin believed his friend was joking; Sorcha thought Ranulf in earnest. Was being alone with Colin unwise? Only if he was the traitor Ranulf painted. She prayed that the night would help her decide whom to believe.

By mid-morning the next day, Colin followed Sorcha up the steep path through the forest on the east side of Strathnaver stronghold. Their destination was the sheltered glen, split north to south by a shallow burn, where all Strathnaver’s animals—horses, sheep, and a few shaggy cows—wintered. The valley was shielded on all sides by hills and cliffs high enough to keep the snow to a minimum and thus grasses available to the animals even in the deepest cold.

Specifically, they aimed for an overhang on the north end. Beneath that overhang was a warm spring on a spot of higher ground. From that vantage point they could view the entire valley. At any season the spring kept the air comfortable, and the overhang provided privacy.

As children he, Brice, Raeb, and their friends had spent many a day in the glen away from the watchful eyes of parents and tutors. But he and Sorcha were nae children any longer.

The tension roused by her accusations against Ranulf lingered like frost in the winter air. Suspicion, deception, distrust, frustration at their failure to capture even one traitor had them both on edge. He hoped some time away from his clan, his men, and the entire tainted atmosphere of Strathnaver might allow him and Sorcha to talk and listen without restraint. To come to some understanding of who was enemy and who was friend.

The path broadened as they topped the crest of the circling peaks. Sorcha drew to a halt, and he came up beside her.

She leaned forward smiling, patting the neck of her mount. “I’d forgotten how beautiful this valley is. Too much time has passed since last I visited here.”

“You could nae speak truer words of the beauty to be seen.”

Facing forward, she didna see the direction of his gaze. “Look!” She pointed at a group of dark animals moving toward the stream. A spot of gray raced back and forth along the near side of the group. “’Tis the MacKai herd. I’m sure of it.”

He tore his gaze from her and searched the horses—now distinct animals instead of a moving mass. “Aye, I believe so. I’ve nae seen them in more than ten years, but no one who’d seen
Ceoclis
once could mistake that swift, misty hued stud for any other stallion. I dinna see
Aingealach Spealp
. She was
Ceoclis
’ favorite mare, if I recall rightly.”

Sorcha’s smile fled and her shoulders slumped. “She was also my mother’s horse. She named her
Aingealach Spealp
for her white coat and angelic spirit
.
”

He would have stolen back his words if he could. “Sorry I am for stirring painful memories.”

Sorcha shook her head. “Nae ʼtis past time that I visited those as well as this glen.”

He sidestepped his mount until he was close enough to take Sorcha’s hand and give a gentle squeeze. “I would nae cause you pain,
muirnean
.”

She squeezed back and kept her hand clasped in his. “You canna. This valley, those horses, even they canna cause me pain if I dinna allow it. ʼTis only Brice and your father who once had that power, and they are both dead. Dead as my parents. Dead as
Aingealach Spealp
.”

“What happened?”

“I told you what happened to my parents.”

“Was your mother riding
Aingealach Spealp
that day?”

Sorcha shook her head. “Nae, the mare was in foal and was stolen along with the herd after my parents were killed. She died later giving birth.”

“Come.” He led the way down to the spring. Tethering the horses on the far side of the sheltered space, he left Sorcha mounted while he laid out wood from a pile kept at the other end of the overhang and started a fire. Next he spread a quilt between the fire and the spring then went to help Sorcha dismount.

She sat on the quilt and loosened her dark red cloak. “Ah, ʼtis wonderfully warm. The peace of the valley and the creatures here is like a balm. Thank you for thinking of this.”

“You are most welcome, my lady. I’ve other things I hope will please you.” He went to his saddlebags and withdrew a flagon, a loaf, and a sack. Bringing all back to the quilt, he settled beside her. From the sack he withdrew a trencher of bread, dried fruit, some slivers of ham, a wedge of cheese, a honey pot, and two plain goblets.

“You knew we’d be hungry after that long ride. You’re a
canny mon
, Colin Marr.” Taking a small slice of dried apple, she dipped it in the honey and popped the tidbit into her mouth.

Nae canny enough for you where my friends are concerned
. Today was about peace and escape from care. He’d nae bring discord and distrust into the moment when Sorcha was smiling at him. Colin busied himself with pouring wine from the flagon into one of the goblets and handed it to her.

She raised a brow and eyed the other goblet. “Are you nae thirsty?”

“Aye, verra thirsty.”

Her eyes widened, and she swallowed, then quickly took the goblet and drank deep.

He hoped she could see in his eyes the longing that burned good sense to ash.

Still staring at him, she lifted the goblet away then licked a drop of wine from the edge of the cup. He took it, turned it to the spot still dewy from her tongue and sipped, then sipped again, never taking his gaze from hers.

“Oh my,” she breathed.

“Yes, mine,” he whispered back. One hand set the cup aside, the other grasped her nape and pressed.

She yielded. He brushed his mouth across hers and licked, tasting sweet wine and sweeter woman.

She opened and sucked his tongue inside. He played there teasing and pleasing them both until she moaned and gripped his tunic, pulling it from his belt and tunneling her hands beneath to score his belly and chest with her nails.

He would take every care to cherish her as she should be cherished. To show her pleasure and delight. He didna love her, but he couldna let her go with desire burning beneath his skin day and night. ʼTwas a good thing she didna love him either.

He broke the kiss then knelt before her, stunned by her beauty and her generosity. His hands shook as he loosened the ties of her clothing.

She placed her hands over his, stopping him. “Nae, Colin, nae like this.”

Confused, he fixed his gaze on hers. Tender light gleamed in her gray eyes, but he couldna read her expression. “Then how? Do you nae wish me to look on you? Have you changed your mind?” Something very like fear filled his throat and clutched at his heart. He would stop if she insisted, but surely he would die if she did.

That small smile still on her lips, she shook her head. “I have no changed my mind.”

“What is it then? Why stop?”

She laid a finger on his lips, and he fell silent. Then she placed her hands beneath his elbows and pushed upward. He stood, and she rose with him.

“I want to share this with you. Give myself to you.” With one hand on his chest she gave him a gentle shove, forcing him to step back a pace.

His brow wrinkled. “I dinna understand. You have already given me permission to lay with you.”

“Permission for you to take. However, I wish to give. Here, let me show you.”

She placed her hands on the ties of her kirtle and removed the garment, then gave it to him.

“I want you to know that I come to you freely without doubt or condition.”