Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Kenna would have liked a few minutes to think, but there was no time for such an indulgence.
If she were going to get away, she must do so now, before the presence of her laird and master made her forget her course.
His hand on her breast had brought her to her senses, but had brought her body to its senses as well.
And when she’d opened her eyes and saw his face lifting away, the tingling in her lips told her clearly what she had just missed.
She wanted to believe she had held still while assessing her danger, but she knew the truth. She’d been waiting for him to kiss her again. Her pride had regrettably pulled her from his arms, but oh, how she had wanted to stay put.
Wanting his attention would be the first step toward failure.
If she didn’t keep her mind bent on revenge now, she would never be free to think of marriage or other things girls were allowed to hope for.
What really surprised her was not anything this man had done, but the thoughts she found wandering around in her own mind.
Marriage? Children? Impossible! She must be quite worn down by the day’s events.
All the more reason to get away quickly, before she forgot who she was, forgot her brother, and forgot who was responsible for his death.
Kenna judged the titan at her side to be a needy sort. His clothes were better worn than the rest. Maybe the man would like the pearl earbobs she had forgotten were still on her ears. She quickly removed them, then turned to smile up at the big man.
“Please. I need more than just a few moments to see to my needs.” She took his hand and placed the pearls on a palm that seemed as big as her face.
She curled his fingers over the jewelry, turned toward the trees and didn’t look back.
Surely when she didn’t return the man would understand.
He may be nearly mute, but he was not stupid.
The pearls might buy her just enough time to disappear.
Once secluded by shrubbery, Kenna took care of needs she had nearly forgotten, then hastened deeper into the forest. Her sturdy new boots gave her confidence as she broke into a run.
The animal paths were quite easy to maneuver and when her first rush of excitement wore off, she dared a look behind her. Nothing but trees, thank goodness.
Two sharp whistles pierced the air, confirming the giant’s ready betrayal.
Kenna expected the worst—an army on horseback scouring the forest for her. They would assume she either ran straight into the forest without a thought, or she’d turn to her right to run parallel to the road in the direction from which they had come. She did neither. She veered left.
Horses would close the distance quickly despite the density of the trees, so she would need to hide, and soon. Thick bushes growing near a large fallen log would hide her, but it would be the first place they would look.
She regretted the unfortunate color of her clothes that stood out like a flag in the shadows around her. She could roll in the mud, cover herself with leaves, climb a tree…
…or surrender and next time, take the bloody horse with her.
Begrudgingly, Kenna resigned herself to the last choice. It would be difficult. They wouldn’t trust her now. She would have to try in the dead of night perhaps, unless they tied her up. In that case, she was going to need a knife.
Following her own path back, she was pleased to find she had anticipated their search correctly. Horses were moving deeper in the woods and backtracking near the road, no doubt searching for a bright white gown.
In the growing darkness, she recognized the slant of the hill and came out at the same spot where she had entered the forest, scolding herself for having given her pearls away for nothing. Maybe they would not think she had run off but had gotten lost and walked in circles for a while.
She gave up that hope when she saw the giant’s scowl.
He ceased pacing along the road and now came toward her, his look both furious and…
hurt. She jumped when he put his fingers to his mouth and whistled sharply.
When he stomped up to her, she braced herself but held still.
The accusation in his eyes deepened when he lifted her hand and placed the earbobs in her open palm.
He then whistled twice more before shaking his boulder-sized head at her and walking away.
Kenna couldn’t swallow around the lump in her throat.
The need to flee had her turning back to the trees, no longer caring for the consequences.
Before she could take a step, however, riders broke out of the woods and converged on her, their thunderous hooves terrifying.
After meeting glare after glare, she avoided their gazes.
No doubt they were anxious to see her punished for exhausting them further. Even the horses snorted at her.
When all heads turned to look behind her, she spun around to see their leader moving his horse through the throng.
The steeds parted for him with seemingly no instruction from their riders.
Perhaps the horses were also impressed with his size, she thought, as he dwarfed all but one man that he passed.
Kenna did not look him in the eye, refusing to tip her head back far enough. Instead, she studied the knee closest to her, the sculpted muscles of his thigh. Then her gaze dropped to the safer study of his boot. The spur had dried blood on it.
The giant, meantime, brought her horse forward then skulked off.
“Get lost?” the commander asked, in a voice dripping with menace.
For the first time, Kenna took a step back, then dared to taunt, “Is that a question or a command, Laird and Master? I am happy to oblige…”
There was no mistaking the look in his eye. She was going to die a slow and painful death.