Chapter 25
Sheena left the security of her tower room that next morning, meaning to test the extent of her freedom. She wore her green gown, clean now. It was still shoddy, but it was her own. She left her hair loose and flowing, without even a ribbon or cap to bind it.
She did not go directly to the hall, assuming Jamie was still there.
She walked along the gallery, where she could look down into the courtyard at the activities there, or out over the mountainside, where the river Dee could just be glimpsed through the trees.
A bit of sun broke through the dark clouds to kiss her face, probably the last warmth she would feel till spring.
Though she was seen by many, no one stopped her.
Satisfied that no order had been given to deny her freedom of the inner castle, she decided to try her luck at the gate, and descended through the east tower.
The winding stairs were narrow. She passed only two rooms on the way down, guard rooms, she supposed, this tower being at the front of the castle.
She wondered how the large, burly retainers with all of their battle regalia managed those narrow stairs.
She learned the answer before she reached the bottom, where she found her way blocked by a man.
He wasn’t a castle retainer, though. In the dim light from the open doorway at the bottom of the stairs, she recognized Jamie’s cousin. Black Gawain was surprised to see her. He didn’t step aside. “Well, well, so you’re back.”
“So I am,” Sheena replied curtly, despising that smug tone.
“Alone, I see. Has your young watchdog given up?”
“If you mean Colen, he’s no’ my watchdog, as you put it.”
“Yet you do need one, you’ll agree.”
“What for?”
“Well, if you dinna feel you need protection from rogues like me…who am I to differ?” He grinned at her.
Sheena was not amused. “Let me pass, Black Gawain.”
“But we’ve no’ had a chance to get acquainted. And ’tis no’ likely I’ll find you so conveniently alone again.”
He took a step closer to her, and Sheena retreated. Then he took another step, slowly, as if stalking her. She didn’t quite know whether to take him seriously, but she wasn’t pleased with his game.
She put out a hand as he backed her into the shadows. “Just what do you think you’re doing, sir?”
His hand moved over hers, imprisoning it, then his other hand circled her waist. He was pinning her against him. “Risking all, m’dear. But ’tis worth it.”
His lips came down to cover hers. He was very gentle until Sheena began to struggle, and then he held her so tightly she couldn’t move.
Her chest hurt from the tension of it. His kiss became savagely passionate, bruising her lips against her teeth.
She thought her neck would snap. If only she had a dirk!
Just as she thought her chest would explode, he moved away.
“Och, Sheena, you drive a man to do what he knows he shouldna,” Gawain breathed huskily. “But there’s no harm in a kiss, after all.”
No harm! She wanted to scream at him, but she sensed the danger was over, so she said only, “Release me, sir. I’m no’ without the courage to kill you for what you’ve done!”
He chuckled, but he released her and stepped away nonetheless. “’Tis no’ you I fear, lass, but your laird.”
“Jamie? He’s no’ my laird.”
“Nay?” He grinned wickedly. “Then I’ve risked nothing. Mayhap I’ll be stealing more than just a kiss.”
The scream died in her throat. Once again she was crushed against him. He groped at her breasts. She was sickened. This was real danger.
Then she heard steps, voices coming down the stairs, and Gawain let her go, cursing. She squeezed past him, racing out of the tower into the open courtyard. She slowed, then stopped altogether to take a deep breath and thank the fates for sending whomever had been approaching.
That had been too close, too damned close. Did she have to worry about being attacked in every dark corner? There was one hope, however, and she went on to the gatehouse. But she had only to look at the gatekeeper before he shook his head at her.
Where did that leave her? Without any protection at all? She wasn’t about to give herself over to one man in order to protect herself from other men. There had to be a better way than that.
Colen was the only one at the laird’s table when Sheena entered the hall. She strode over to him angrily.
“I demand your protection, Colen,” she stated boldly. “You owe it to me.”
“Do I?” he asked. “And do you expect me to fight my brother for you?”
“Nay, I dinna expect that. But ’tis no’ Jamie I’m worried about, not just now.”
He looked at her lips, and she touched them, then grimaced. They were swollen. Curse Black Gawain!
“I’m asking you for help,” she said flatly.
“Why do you no’ go to my brother? I’m sure he will be happy to offer you protection.”
“But at what price?” Sheena snapped. “I’m no’ ready to sacrifice myself!”
“Sacrifice?” he chuckled. “Aye, I suppose you would look at it that way.”
She frowned. This was getting her nowhere. And he was acting so strangely.
“You dinna care then?” she asked.
“I dinna think you will consider my brother’s attentions so terrible.” His tone was bitter.
“What do you mean by that?” she demanded.
“I saw you lying with Jamie by the burn,” Colen replied. “You werena exactly fighting against him, Sheena”
Her cheeks flushed bright rose, but she wouldn’t admit anything. “He took advantage of me, Colen. He’s stronger than I. But I’m no’ wanting him, if that is what you think.”
“Marry me then, if you’re so set against him. ’Tis the only way, for otherwise he’ll have you.”
“There must be another way.”
Colen shook his head. “I give up on you, Sheena. I dinna know how my brother stands your constant rejection of him, but I’ve had enough of it. He’s welcome to you.”
She had not expected that. Somehow, she had felt she could always count on Colen. And he was telling her not to.
“So you’ll no’ help me?”
Colen sighed. “You’ve no’ let either of us put a claim on you. And as for protecting you, well…you’ll have to deal with my brother. I brought you here, and I’m sorry for it now, but you managed to escape, and ’tis Jamie who brought you back. You’re his now.”
“Why did he drag me back, Colen? And what right has he to keep me here?”
Sheena just barely heard his answer as Colen walked away. “You’ll have to ask him why.”