Highland Warlord - Amy Jarecki Page 0,19
a rogue. Heroic of you.”
“You were trespassing.”
“Hardly. We were passing through—on a well-used road. And mind you, I let you take my sword and lead us here. I could have dispatched you and your men at any time.”
Torquil toed the dirt. “Then why did you not?”
“You’re a Highlander for one. Moreover, I didn’t want one of the women ending up harmed in the scuffle.” In truth, had James been alone, he may have tried to outrun them, but fleeing was not an option with a mule in tow.
“Likely story. I can best you any day.”
James snorted. “Mayhap with a crossbow.”
“Ye are full of shite.”
He drew his sword from its scabbard, the hiss echoing between the trees. “Let us have a go, shall we?”
“But I have no weapon.”
“You do now,” said James, presenting the hilt of his sword.
Torquil took it and smirked, swinging the blade in a figure eight. “You’re mad.”
Crouching with his hands level and ready, James gave the lad a nod. “Give it your best.”
The lad turned his shoulder as if he were planning to walk away, then spun on his heel with a bellow, swinging the blade over his head.
James thrust up his hands, crossed his wrists, and stopped the attack while grabbing the back of Torquil’s hand and twisting, making the boy drop to his knees. With his next breath, he grabbed the sword’s hilt and continued to twist until the braggart lay on his back and James leveled the point of the blade at his neck. “Ye were worried I wouldn’t be able to defend myself without a weapon?”
“You tricked me.”
“Is that what you’ll say on the battlefield when an Englishman has your cods in his fist?”
Torquil kicked his feet and squirmed. “Release me.”
“Very well.” James stepped back and presented the hilt of his father’s sword once more. “Again.”
This time, Torquil attacked with a thrust aimed to skewer James’ heart, but with a simple counter move, the lad was again relieved of the weapon and on his back with the pointy end pressed against the wee pulse throbbing at the base of his throat.
James leaned over, looked him in the eyes, and lowered his voice to a growl. “If you ride with me, you will treat all women with honor and respect, starting with the nuns sleeping in your bed this eve. And if you ever attempt to backstab me, I promise it will be the last act of your maggot-infested life.”
Chapter Six
Ailish opened her eyes, certain something had rattled. “Did you hear that?”
Her question was answered with one of Coira’s snores. The woman would sleep through a raid from marauding Norsemen.
Something shifted outside the chamber door. Clutching her hands over her heart, Ailish peered toward the sound, the coals from the fire casting a shadowy light through the chamber.
What should I do? Scream? Rouse Coira?
The maid snored.
Ailish patted her arm. “Are you awake?”
Another snore.
Well, she certainly was not about to lay abed and wait for some beast to burst inside and ravish them. Besides, her father always said the best attack is when the quarry is taken by surprise.
She slid her dagger from beneath her pillow and silently swung her feet over the mattress. The floorboards felt cold beneath her bare feet as she tiptoed to the door. Her hand perspired as she rested it on the latch, listening for another sound.
Closing her eyes, she steadied her breath and offered a silent prayer for strength.
In one swift motion, Ailish yanked open the door and lashed out with her blade. Before she could recoil, a hand grabbed her wrist and squeezed with the strength of a vise, making the dagger fall from her grasp as she spiraled downward, landing on top of the blackguard.
“Och, m’lady, I’d have a wee peek at who I’m attacking afore I blindly thrust a dagger about.”
“Sir James?” she asked, pulling away and peering through the blue-black ingress, lit only by a moonbeam shining through an arrow slit in the stairwell.
“Aye, lass, and you’d best be glad ’tis me.”
“But why would you be here, making noises outside my door?”
“I was sleeping afore you came barreling out here with this.”
As he held up her dagger, she snatched it from his grasp. The movement caused her bottom to shift, his thighs flexing beneath. Only then did she remember she was sitting on his lap. A flood of awareness gushed deep and low in her belly, and she quickly tucked her legs. Heavens stars, only her shift and his plaid separated her skin from his.