Page 66 of In the Highlander's Bed

“The duke is not bringing an army,” Gordon said. Everyone turned to him. He held up the letter. “This is from Colster. He says for me to meet him on the hallowed ground of the ruins at St. Columcille’s. I know the place. It is an hour’s ride south of here.”

“Does he want you there alone?” Thomas asked. “I don’t advise it.”

His voice reflecting mild surprise, Gordon said, “He actually encourages me to bring as many as I wish. He says he hopes to see a good number ofhis clansmen there. He wants to discuss a matter with us.”

“Hisclansmen?” Constance asked, puzzled.

“The duke was one of us at one time,” Gordon said. “Then Laird MacKenna attempted to destroy him and his brother Lord Phillip. When Colster lived as one of our clansmen, we knew him by the name Tavis the Blacksmith.”

Several people nodded.

Gordon held up the letter so all could see its bold, slashing writing. “He’s bringing the Sword of the MacKenna.”

Constance feared her knees would give out beneath her. If the duke brought the sword, then an exchange must be made. She looked to Gordon, but he would not meet her eyes.

“It could be a trick,” Thomas warned.

“I know Tavis,” Gordon said. “It is no trick. Nor do I believe he knows about the attack on Brian. It’s not his way.”

“What ishisway?” a man in the crowd asked.

“He’s a fair man,” Gordon said. He sounded preoccupied, and Constance wondered if he thought about her, about what might happen to her…to them?

“A fair man?” Thomas challenged. “Look at what has happened to Brian. There is nothing to discuss.” He pulled his dirk from itsscabbard and waved the knife in the air. “The time has come for us to fight for our homes.”

His words were quickly seconded.

Gordon took charge. “We’ll be riding in the hour. Thomas, handpick the men. I want at least fifty. The rest of you will be on guard. Protect the women and children.” He looked to Fiona. “See that Tad is tied up and doesn’t follow.”

“Yes, Gordon,” she said.

At last Gordon looked at Constance, his expression giving nothing away. “You will be riding with us.”

She nodded dumbly, her mind crowded with questions that she dared not ask in front of the others.

“I want to ride with you,” Brian said.

Gordon nodded agreement and started in the direction of his tent. Constance fell into step behind him, Tad at her heels. She waited until they were inside to speak.

“Will you turn me over?” She waited his answer, her heart on edge.

He’d opened the tack chest and pulled out a clean shirt. “I don’t know.”

“What does that mean?” she demanded, a sense of hysteria rising in her throat.

Gordon was to her side in a blink. He took her by the arms, lifting her and pressing a hard,possessive kiss on her lips. There was pain in this kiss…and fear.

She responded by putting her arms around his neck. His hold on her loosened as he brought her close. The kiss softened. They opened to each other.

He held her against his chest. “It will work out,” he said. “It will be as it should.”

Her response was to hug him tighter. She refused to let him go. She didn’t want to leave the tent. She didn’t know if she could bear to live past this moment.

But they must. They had no choice.

So when Gordon stepped away, she let him go.

He changed, putting on a jacket of dark green that matched his eyes. She resisted the urge to smooth a hand over his shoulders.