Trouble with a Highland Bride by Amanda Forester Read Free Book Online Page A

free…”
    Jack gave her a winning smile. “I thank you for the thought. I have brought this on myself and I shall face the consequences like a man. Good day, milady.”
    “Good-bye, Sir John.” Gwyn stood and backed away slowly. She wished she could keep him somehow, but how could it be done? She searched his handsome face to commit it to memory. She doubted she would ever see him again.
    She turned, straightened her shoulders, and walked away.

Six
    Gwyn dashed across the dark courtyard, pelted by angry rain. She pulled open the door to the main keep and shut it behind her, hoping to slink to her solar quickly, without raising attention.
    “Gwyn!” Isabelle walked to her directly, her eyes flashing, a chubby babe on her hip. “Where are the keys to the cistern gate?”
    “The keys?” asked Gwyn weakly. She was painfully aware of the heavy iron keys in the pocket of her kirtle.
    “Yes, Gwyn, the keys. David is looking to post guard and the keys are not where I left them, where you know I keep them.”
    “They were there earlier,” hedged Gwyn.
    “I am well aware of that; as I am well aware that the only elder bushes around here are outside the gates.” Isabelle’s eyes bored into Gwyn’s, reading her secrets. “I need to feed this little one, then I will check again for the keys. Mayhap I was mistaken before.”
    “I am sure they will be there,” said Gwyn with a gulp.
    “Yes, I am certain they will too.”
    Gwyn exhaled deeply and leaned against the wall, watching Isabelle walk away. She could put back the key, walk away, pretend ignorance, and no one would ever know her involvement. She did not know why, but she trusted implicitly that Jack would not reveal her. Why she trusted him, she could not say. He was, after all, English. And more than that hardly needed to be said.
    Yet for all the many reasons she should not trust him, she did believe that he would be chivalrous enough not to reveal her. She knew in her heart he was a good man, or he would never have given her the elder twig or his golden knife. She put her hand in her pocket and held on to it.
    She should walk away and never think of him again. And for that reason, Gwyn did not go directly to return the keys, but instead found herself once more entering the storeroom that led to the cistern gate. She needed to return the knife. It was not hers to keep.
    He struggled to stand when she entered, emotions flashing across his face before he greeted her with a half smile. “I was expecting the guards.”
    “They will be here soon. I need to return the key. I…I need to return yer gift. I should’na have taken it. Here, this belongs to ye. I’ll no’ have yer uncles mock ye for its loss.” Gwyn reached her hand through the bars, offering Jack the return of the golden knife.
    The smile drained from Jack’s face and a frown etched lines in his forehead. He slowly removed the offered knife and slipped it into a pocket. “Thank you.” His words were barely above a whisper.
    “Good-bye, Jack.” Gwyn whirled around to walk away, because if she didn’t leave soon, she feared she never would.
    “Wait!” he called.
    She stopped and slowly turned back to face him.
    “Do not have your brother go to the negotiations tomorrow.” His voice was grave.
    “No’ negotiate? But why?”
    “Because my uncles are bastards, that’s why. They will not honor the truce or the negotiations. They plan to capture or kill any who enter the tent. You must warn your brother not to go.”
    Gwyn could not believe what he was telling her, not just because of the treachery, but why should he warn her? “Why would ye tell me this?”
    “Because you have shown me kindness, and I cannot have you lose your brother in such a deceitful manner. The plans of my uncles are not mine. I would negotiate with Laird Campbell and Lady Isabelle directly if I could, but as it is, I must wait for my fate to be decided by others.”
    Gwyn stepped quickly up to the bars, lowering her