Assassin.
Though she averted her gaze, she felt the weight of Kieran’s stare. “Take care of her,” he said to Alec.
The bite of the wind numbed against her cheeks, and the scream of the birds overhead died away to a dull echo. Her stomach churned, knotted against the rapid fluttering within.
Had she been found out?
Her heart slammed in her chest.
What would become of Jack?
Kieran broke away from Alec and sidled alongside Mariel with his hand propped on the hilt of his blade. His horse was so close, she could reach out and touch him if she chose to. Doubtless he ensured she would not escape.
They traveled in silence for the remainder of the journey, something Mariel found herself grateful for. She did not trust herself to speak and lacked the energy to do so.
She needed the time to come up with a plan.
Part of her was relieved to be found out and grateful to cease the charade that would harm so many. Blair and Dougal would be safe. Were it not for Jack, she would gladly succumb to the punishment befitting the crimes she had committed. Being discovered as an assassin was no small offense, and Highlanders were brutal in their punishment.
She glanced toward Kieran and her chest tightened with emotion. She had been so ready to divulge her secret to him only minutes before. Perhaps if she’d had the strength to do so, she would not be in this position. Her gaze lowered to his blade. Or perhaps she would already be dead.
A selfish part of her had not been ready for him to discover the truth. Not yet.
Pain knifed through her blackened heart. Did her sin have no limits?
Hardening herself against the hurt, she turned her thoughts from Kieran and straightened her back as they came to a stop before the stables.
Her blood raced through her veins and pulsed in her muscles. She could run. The boat she needed had been pulled to the shore prior and was not yet in the water. A quick sprint would take less than five minutes.
She glanced at Kieran’s dark expression.
Five minutes was too long. He would catch her and she would fail.
She had no choice but to see where Kieran took her. At the very least, perhaps she could secure a plan for Jack’s life.
Kieran’s hands lingered on her waist as he helped her from her horse. A seed of hope flickered within her.
She rose on her toes so her body stretched against the length of his. “Shall I come to your room tonight?” She kept her voice low, ensuring only he heard her.
His eyes narrowed. “I dinna think that is a good idea.”
The air squeezed from her chest.
Kieran indicated toward the castle. “Alec will see ye to yer room. I dinna want ye to leave, aye?”
Alec’s shadow fell over her and chased away any opportunity to speak to Kieran further.
“The laird will be up to speak with ye later,” Alec said. He led her into the castle toward the prison of her room and away from Kieran.
Once they arrived at her door, Alec waited for her to sit on the edge of her bed before he closed her inside her chamber. While there was no sound of a key turning in the lock, she knew leaving would be a poor decision.
Mariel drew a shaky breath and rose to pace the small room. If she were discovered, surely she would be put to death. And Jack would be doomed to a life with Aaron.
She strained to listen. No sounds came from the hall. Perhaps she could sneak out of the castle before anyone came looking for her.
A rap at the door set her heart pounding. “Yes?” she called out, suddenly breathless.
A young red-haired woman entered. Mariel had seen her around the castle in the weeks before. The woman gave a genuine smile. “The laird ordered ye a bath if ye like.”
Heat warmed Mariel’s cheeks in recollection of why she had cause to bathe. Those stolen hours of passion had almost been forgotten amid the harsh reality she now faced. “Yes, please. I would like that,” she replied.
The young woman nodded and disappeared.
Doubt flickered through Mariel. Surely Kieran would not offer a criminal a chance to bathe. Perhaps he did not suspect her after all.
She carefully watched the faces of the servants coming into and out of the room. There was a relaxed ease about them that soothed her ragged nerves. Bucket after bucket of water was sloshed into a massive wooden tub until the bath was filled. The servants all nodded and slipped out the door, leaving her alone.
In an unlocked room.
Paranoia uncurled from her shoulders and the bath beckoned. Mariel wound her hair atop her head and let her soiled dress crumple at her feet. She sank into the hot, scented water and closed her eyes to relieve the pounding ache in her skull. Immediately she saw Kieran’s face in her mind’s eye, tender and genuine. He had been gentle with her last night, far more kind than she deserved.
Be my wife.
Her choked cry echoed off the cold walls around her. She scrambled from the tub, desperate to be free of the memory and the guilt. Instead of reaching for the drying linen, she stood beside the tub uncovered. The heat of the fire eased the chill from her dripping body while images of Kieran flashed unbidden through her mind.
The door clicked closed behind her, startling her. How had she not heard it open?
She whirled around and found Kieran staring at her with a look of disbelief on his face. “Mariel.” the tone of his voice echoed the horror of his gaze.
Her heart slid like ice down into her belly.
The charade was over.
He knew.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kieran stared at Mariel’s pallid face. Words failed him. How had she managed to hide such a secret from him for so long? How had he never suspected?
He strode forward, disturbing the humid curl of perfumed steam rising from her bath. Her eyes widened, fear evident in the violet blue depths.
She was afraid of him.
Something twisted deep within his chest.
He walked around behind her. Perhaps what he had seen from the doorway would not be as bad up close.
No, he thought, studying her mutilated back, it was far worse. Rope thick scars slashed Mariel’s back, marring her otherwise flawless skin. Only a whip would leave such markings, but never had he seen the weapon cause such brutality. How had she even survived? He stroked the abnormally taut skin, and his hand shook with barely contained rage.
She flinched and curled her body forward, away from his touch.
“What are you doing?” Mariel choked.
The tremor of her body was slight, but unmistakable.
“Who did this to ye?” The question came out harsher than intended.
When she did not answer, he came around to face her.
“Wearing my leine last night was no because ye were cold, was it? Ye dinna want me to see this.”
Her gaze flicked to the floor and she shook her head. She looked vulnerable standing naked before him with her wounded stare turned away from him. She was too fragile. He lifted the thick robe beside the bath and laid it over her shoulders. She remained motionless, leaving the robe gaping open. Kieran wrapped the heavy fabric around her. Slowly, lest he frighten her further, he placed his hands on her shoulders and drew her against his chest.
She didn’t trust him, he knew that. Never did he fault her for her skepticism, but now he understood her hesitation.
“I dinna mean to sound so harsh. I just…” He paused, uncertain what to say. He never was good at this kind of thing. “Seeing yer back made me want to kill the man who did that to ye. I’m no angry at ye.”
She turned her face into his chest. “You don’t question what I did to deserve it?”
“It doesna matter what ye did. No woman deserves to be treated thus.” He drew a deep breath in an attempt to rein in the anger coursing through him.
Certainly he wanted to know why someone would whip her to such an extent, but forcing the truth would only push her further away. He had learned much from dealin
g with Blair when he first brought her back to Caisteal Camus.
“Ye dinna need to tell me the reason if ye are nae ready.”
When Mariel did not speak, he was not surprised. Nor did her silence wound him as it had in the past. She would speak when she was ready, and he would be there to listen, to help ease her hurt.
He released her and kept her hands clasped in his. “We need to talk, lass.” The timing was terrible, but the news could not wait. She needed to be told.
The tiny muscles in Mariel’s neck stood out. Damn the news for arriving when it did. He felt like an arse for having to tell her now.
“Please dinna be concerned, but I received word that an English assassin has been sent after me. I think ye can understand what this means.”
The color drained from her face.
“Dinna worry, I am having Alec collect Blair and Dougal now. I know Blair willna come of her own accord and will need to be forced. With Hampton putting a price on my head, it isna hard to determine who he is really seeking. I’ll no stand by and let Blair and Dougal be harmed because she’s too stubborn to live in the castle.”
He squeezed Mariel’s warm hand. Her pulse fluttered erratically against his palm.
“Ye know Blair willna be happy about being made to come here and that is why I am telling ye. I hate to ask this of ye, but I need yer help in making her comfortable here, aye? She trusts ye.”
Mariel pulled her hand from Kieran’s and secured the robe more tightly around her body. “Of course,” she replied at last with a tense smile.
He could feel her discomfort from where he stood. His discovery of her back had unsettled her. “Ye are always so willing to help.” His fingertip trailed the delicate line of her jaw.
“And you are always so understanding.” Mariel looked up at him, her eyes searching his. “You make me feel like I could tell you anything.”
“Ye can, lass.” He held his body perfectly still as if the slightest movement would frighten her from speech.
“I want to.” She paused for a moment. “You seem like you would forgive anything.”
“So long as ye pose no threat to my family, I would forgive ye anything.” It was a miserable excuse for a jest in an effort to lighten the mood.
She gave a small smile. “It would be wise not to be your assassin then.”
He laughed and drew her against him, grateful to see her playfulness had returned. “It would be verra wise indeed.” His hand slid beneath her robe and cupped the silken weight of her breast. “Ye’re far too enticing to kill.”
“And yet you would keep me from your bed?” Her displeasure was evidenced by her tone.
The weight of the conversation draped heavy on his shoulders. “The easiest way to kill someone is in their sleep. I know I wake easily and can protect myself, but you…” His palm skimmed her glossy hair.
Every part of her was smooth or soft or silky. Her beauty captivated him, but she was so much more than that. If something ever happened to her…
His chest grew tight. No, he would never place her in danger. She was far too important to him, far more than he could ever explain to her.
• • •
Mariel was grateful for the press of Kieran’s chest against her face. She could not bring herself to meet his gaze. The pain would be too great.
She’d had the perfect opportunity to tell him the truth and she had not taken it. How could she be such a coward? He had offered to help. He promised to be understanding.
Yet still she could not risk trusting him.
His hand skimmed down the length of her back. Mariel stiffened against the contact and resisted the urge to jerk away.
Her back was hideous. No matter how kind his words were, she knew what it looked like—a perfect physical reflection of her damned soul.
His hand ran between her shoulder blades and shivers of unease crawled down her back. “I dinna see yer beauty as diminished in any way by this. It only makes me appreciate yer strength all the more.” His words were meant to make her feel better. She knew that and yet they did not stop the onslaught of the memory.
The whip whistled as it flew through the air. The leather strip in her mouth tasted of sweat and blood. She clamped it tight between her teeth regardless, knowing she would have need of it. The braided leather found its mark and fire streaked her back. Her body jerked in protest against the pain, but no cry tore from her throat.
“No screams, eh? We’ll see how long you keep that up for. Of course, you can end this right now…”
The meaty hand pointed to where a man sat in a puddle of his own urine.
“Kill him.”
“Did ye hear me?”
Her eyes squeezed shut, as if the memory could be pressed from her mind.
“Mariel,” Kieran said softly. “Did ye hear me?”
She shook her head to clear it of the horrible scene. “I’m sorry. I didn’t.”
Regret showed on his face. “I have to leave. There are things I must ready for Blair’s arrival.” His finger hooked the edge of her robe. He leaned closer and the scruff of his whiskers tickled her neck. His rich, masculine scent curled around her and brought with it an entirely different rush of memories. Ones of comfort, affection—safety.
His lips brushed her ear, his breath warm against her neck. “Leave yer door unlocked tonight.”
The soft moan that escaped her lips came unbidden as did the rush of heat throbbing at her core. Kieran gave her a lopsided grin and disappeared out the door. He knew exactly his effect on her.
The room roared with deafening silence following his departure. The air was so still Mariel had difficulty drawing breath.
She placed her hand over her chest in an effort to ease the frantic flutter of her heart. For the first time since he’d said it, she allowed herself to believe he truly did not suspect her. Hysteria bubbled in her chest as relief swirled with overwhelming guilt and churned in her empty stomach. Emotions warred inside her aching head, torn between the desire to trust him and the fear that she could not.
So long as ye pose no threat to my family, I would forgive ye anything.
Though said in jest, truth backed those words and their weight settled on her.
She shrugged the robe from her shoulders and pulled on a fresh gown. Blair was being forced to return to the castle against her will because of Mariel. The least she could do was be there to soothe her new friend’s fears.
Several minutes later, Mariel made her way down the hall to wait. Perhaps Blair would be more understanding than they all suspected.
Mariel had not gone more than three steps down the stairs when a scream echoed down the narrow corridor.
“Stop! Leave me alone, you brute!” Blair’s Scotch English accent was unmistakable, even from a distance.
Mariel raced down the remainder of the stairs and entered the great hall in time to see Alec walk in with Blair slung over his back. A smile quirked Mariel’s lips as he set Blair down; she remembered her own delivery at Alec’s hands.
“How dare you? Did I not say I wasn’t going to come here?” Blair’s cheeks were flushed and her chestnut hair tangled over her face.
Dougal appeared behind Alec. He was obviously more confident in Kieran’s decision than Blair. “It’s all right,” he assured his mother. “You know he wouldn’t send for us if it wasn’t safe.”
Mariel approached them with a hand propped on her hip. “I see you are still bullying unyielding women, Alec.”
He gave an irritated grunt. “If ye wouldna be so damned willful, I wouldna have to carry ye.” He turned his attention to Dougal and ruffled the boy’s shaggy brown hair. “Let’s go to the stable and leave the women to calm down, aye?”
“Is Colin there too? He promised to teach me a new song.” Dougal plastered himself at Alec’s side and started toward the main door of the hall.
“Do not let Colin teach him anything,” Blair called after them. She cast a weary look at Mariel and gave a defeated sigh. “You
know everything, don’t you?”
Mariel lowered her gaze, unable to meet her friend’s eyes. She understood more than they could possibly realize. “Kieran wants you here to protect you.”
Nausea rolled over Mariel. Her comforting words turned acidic in her mouth.
“I can protect myself.” Blair pulled the dagger from her pocket.
“Blair,” Mariel said gently. “Dougal would never allow anything to happen to you, no matter the cost to himself. Perhaps Kieran keeps you here to avoid Dougal being harmed in protecting you.”
Blair’s brows knit together, and the hard line of her mouth softened.
“Ah, Blair, I see ye’ve arrived.” Kieran’s booming voice interrupted their conversation. He eyed his sister warily as he approached.
Blair looked up at him and smiled. “I have arrived indeed, brother, on the back of the mule you sent to carry me.” She stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for seeing to our safety.”
“Ye’re welcome,” he replied slowly. “Now, go on and get settled. Ye know where yer room is.”
She gave a compliant nod and strode from the hall with a bewildered Kieran staring after her. He turned his gaze on Mariel. “Ye’re helpful to have around,” he said in a low voice.
She did not turn away from the heat of his dark stare. Heaven help her, she welcomed it. He offered comfort she did not deserve and yet could not turn away. She needed this. She needed him.
Powerful arms braced on either side of her head, trapping her where she stood. His body crushed against her with a thrilling heat. The length of his desire stood prominent between them and elicited the hungry throb between her legs once more.
His lips brushed the sensitive skin along her neck. His tongue flicked out in wicked invitation and a shiver of anticipation wound through her.
“I dinna think I can wait for tonight, my love,” he said raggedly.
My love. Mariel’s heart tripped over itself. Had he meant to say that?
Deception of a Highlander Page 19
