The Viper by Monica Mccarty, Mccarty Read Free Book Online Page B

but I fear I'm hopeless when it comes to discerning plants. Joan is the one--"
    She stopped suddenly, and Lachlan braced himself. He felt that annoying pinch in his chest again. If he thought he was capable of it, he would think it was guilt. But he didn't waste his time beating himself up over things that couldn't be changed.
    He could hear the emotion thick in her voice when she finished, "My daughter is the one who is good with plants."
    The rough Highlander's voice was surprisingly gentle. "You're worried for the lass."
    The countess nodded. Though her face was turned away from him, Lachlan knew her eyes were filled with tears. It was that way every time the girl's name came up.
    "Buchan won't harm her?" MacKay asked, the edge of steel in his voice.
    She shook her head. "Nay. At least I don't think so. But I didn't tell her what I had planned. I never told her I intended to take her with me. And I fear he'll fill her head with all kinds of horrible lies. I just wish ..."
    Her voice fell off. But then her jaw clenched, and her mouth tightened.
    Lachlan wasn't the only one who'd guessed her thoughts.
    "I don't like him any better than you do," MacKay said, "but there was nothing else that MacRuairi could have done--or that anyone could have done--to get your daughter out in time. Not with the explosion set and your husband so close. I've seen him get out of some impossible situations, but even he'd be hard pressed to sneak a woman and a child out of a fortress like Balvenie with your husband and his men looking on."
    God damn it! Lachlan didn't need MacKay to defend him. He strode angrily into the cave, ignoring MacKay's chastising frown for not giving the signal, and stopped a few feet away from where they were sitting.
    He resisted the urge to inhale. How the hell did she still smell so good after two days in a cave? He cursed MacKay again, this time for giving her that blasted soap.
    She gave him a quick glance, her eyes still watery with emotion. The annoying pinch in his chest nipped harder.
    "I'm sorry," he said angrily, not knowing what in the hell he was doing. "I'm sorry we were forced to leave your daughter behind."
    He swore he could hear MacKay's mouth drop open.
    The countess looked just as surprised. She lifted her gaze to his again, but this time did not turn sharply away.
    She studied his face. Even though he knew his expression betrayed nothing, it still made him uncomfortable. Damned uncomfortable.
    "But not for lying?" she asked.
    He shook his head. "Nay. I had to get you out of there. You would have protested, and we didn't have time for a delay."
    "What if I didn't want to go without my daughter? Did you ever consider that?"
    He gave her a hard, steady look. "Maybe you should be thanking me for not forcing you to have to make that decision."
    She gasped, her eyes widening a little as his words struck with pointed precision. She'd been so angry at him for lying that she hadn't thought about what would have happened had he told her the truth: She would have been forced to choose between her daughter and keeping her promise to Bruce. All those lofty ideals of hers would have been held to the test of a mother's love.
    The stricken look on her face told him that she'd reached the same conclusion.
    "Try to get some sleep," he said gruffly, looking away. "The last of your husband's men left this afternoon. We'll leave in a few hours and ride straight through. I'm not sure how long Bruce will wait."
    She seemed relieved by the change of subject. "You're sure William made it to Scone?"
    "Aye, but I didn't think Buchan would delay us for so long. Bruce may decide waiting to become king is too risky."
    She nodded, then excused herself for a few moments of privacy. He tried not to watch her as she left.
    MacKay stood up from his seat and started to gather his things. He'd take the watch while Lachlan slept--or tried to sleep with her so close.
    Lachlan could feel his eyes on him. Finally, the other man spoke. "Leave