Page 19 of Warrior’s Lady

Chapter Six

Rhiannon Ruthven's face paled in the golden light cast by her candle and guilt radiated from her. And yet Camden sensed all was not as it seemed. What wasn't she telling him?

"Why did Mother Agnes send you here?" He fell into step beside her as she scurried for the keep. "I sent a messenger to her at the abbey to verify your claims."

She gazed at him in surprise. "Are you always so suspicious?"

"I will know the truth — from you or from her." He gazed at her thoughtfully. "Why are you here?"

She grasped the door latch of the keep, her fingers remaining there without opening the door. A raw vulnerability appeared on her face where there had been none before. He hardened himself against her attempt to manipulate his emotions.

"Do you want to know why I'm here? Because I'm desperate. I have nowhere to go. I gave myself to the abbey, but the abbess refused me, saying my calling was elsewhere."

He frowned at her unexpected confession. "You shouldn't tell me you're desperate," he said softly. At this moment, she was completely in his power. As he took in her lush body, his blood stirred at the thought of what that could mean.

"You wanted me to be direct." She studied him. I have nothing else to lose."

"Oh, I can think of at least one thing." His gaze rested at the point where her shawl covered her breasts.

She lifted her chin, eyes blazing. "And will you take that from me, milord?"

He pictured it — stripping her bare and plunging into her hot wetness. His shaft started to harden. It would be his ultimate revenge. As suddenly as the thought came, it left him cold. She was a Ruthven, but she was also under his protection. "You have nothing to offer that I would want."

Yet he wasn't quite convinced of the truth in his own words as his hand met hers on the latch. He moved past her, their bodies connecting in a flash of shared heat as he opened the door and strode into the keep.

Rhiannon took a deep breath to collect herself after Lord Lockhart went inside. At the sight of his broad, muscled back, she couldn't help thinking of his suggestive comments. She was completely at the man's mercy. Yet what on earth had possessed her to admit it? After another calming breath, she went back into the castle. Although she carefully avoided looking at Lord Lockhart, she could feel his gaze tracking her across the room and up the stairs.

Inside her bedchamber, Rhiannon wilted against the wooden panels of the door. Her knees were unsteady and her heart raced. She had seen the lustful thoughts behind his eyes. She might be young and inexperienced, but that was one look she had not imagined.

She'd seen similar looks on the faces of her father's friends when they had come to visit and she'd played the role of hostess in her mother's absence. It was one of the few times she'd been allowed around other men. But these men did not want friendly conversation. Nay, their leering looks and not-so-discreet pinches had said it all.

Rhiannon shuddered at the memory. Thankfully, her father had disappeared from her life before he could use her for his own financial gain.

But Camden Lockhart … she pressed her hand to her stomach, trying to stall the fluttering that had started there. He was no aged, leering philanderer. He was a handsome, virile man.

With a groan of disgust, Rhiannon pushed away from the door. She wasn't experienced enough to handle a man like Camden Lockhart. He would chew her up and spit her out before she even knew what had happened.

With a sigh, she went to the door connecting Violet's room to her own. Violet tossed and turned on the bed, writhing as if in some sort of pain. Rhiannon hurried to Violet's side just as the little girl bolted upright in bed. A scream pierced the stillness of the night.

"Don't let him get me. Mummy, don't let him take me away," she sobbed with her eyes still tightly shut.

A nightmare.

Rhiannon sat on the bed, and her hands hovered above Violet's head. What should she do? How should she comfort her?

Violet's sobs continued. "Mummy, make him go away."

Rhiannon slowly brought her hand down to stroke the little girl's hair. "It's all right, Violet. No one will harm you while I'm here," she said softly.

The little girl pressed her body against Rhiannon's. Her sobs stopped, but waves of trembling wracked her body.

"Shh," Rhiannon cooed, continuing to stroke Violet's head until the girl's shaking had ceased and soft breathing came from her lips. She'd fallen back asleep.

Rhiannon slowly lowered the girl to the bed and once again tucked the coverlet tightly about her small body. A sense of satisfaction mixed with joy came over her at her ability to help. Perhaps the abbess had been right to send her here with Violet. As the girl slept, Rhiannon slipped off the bed, still too restless. She would care for Violet, and she'd find some way to make the child a new gown that would not remind her of the horrors she'd faced over the last several days. Violet needed a fresh beginning, and a new gown was a simple way to start her healing process.

From her adventure earlier in the dark storeroom, she knew she'd get no assistance from anyone else in the castle. One locked doorway and a few harsh names could not sway her resolve. She'd have to be more creative. She scanned the room. She'd find a way to make a gown out of something.

Rhiannon thought of her own sparse belongings. The only dress she had was the one she wore. She could use her cape for fabric, but that would leave her without a source of warmth when they took their lessons outside.