Page 44 of Warrior’s Lady

"King Ahasuerus did not know that at the time. Haman planned his assault against the Jews carefully, waiting patiently for the time that the king would leave for war. Esther learned of Haman's plans to put all Jewish people in the Persian Empire to death after the king left for war. Putting her own safety aside and defying warnings to remain silent, she approached the king uninvited on the eve of his leaving for war. To appear before the king uninvited was punishable by death."

"Esther had to have permission to see her husband?" Violet interrupted again.

"In some cultures, women have very few privileges. You are fortunate to have an uncle who will allow you many freedoms."

Violet straightened. "What happened when she approached her husband?"

"Esther risked everything in order to stop the killing of her people. As she approached, the king held out his scepter to her, showing her that he accepted her visit. She told the king of Haman's plan to massacre the Jews, and with much trepidation, revealed her own identity."

Violet frowned once more. "That is kind of like what happened to you, when Uncle Camden learned of your last name. He was angry at first, but he's not so angry now."

Camden stilled. Had he hidden his anger at Rhiannon from no one?

"Aye," Rhiannon replied. "But just like the king, your uncle had his reasons."

Her understanding knifed at his guilt. Would she be so forgiving if she knew he had sentenced her to death? He knew the rest of the Bible story. The king had accepted Esther for who she was. Had he truly accepted Rhiannon? He no longer wanted her dead, but did that mean he had forgiven her for her family's sins against his family?

"Tell me how the story ends?" Violet asked.

Rhiannon continued, "The king, enraged with Haman for using the privilege of his station to further his own goals, ordered him to be hanged. Then the king appointed Mordecai as his prime minister, and gave the Jews the right to defend themselves against any enemy."

Violet's lips flattened with uncertainty. "What does that story have to do with me being a leader of my people?"

"Just like Esther, you have been orphaned, but that does not mean you do not have everything inside of you to become a great woman someday. Your Uncle Camden will need your help to keep our people free from English persecution. Some of the English feel the same way about the Scots as Haman did about the Jews."

Violet released a heavy sigh as she picked up her embroidery frame and needle and started sewing once more. "I will be a great lady, and I will learn to lead my people." She paused in her work. "Mother Agnes was right. She told me before we left the abbey that you would be the one to guide me in everything I needed to know."

Rhiannon dipped her head, hiding her reaction.

Even so, Camden could imagine the flush that rose to her cheeks and the soft sentiment that would fill her eyes. He strode the short distance from where he stood to the two women he'd been spying on. "The abbess was correct to send you to care for Violet."

Rhiannon startled. Her wide-eyed gaze flew to his face. "How long have you been listening?"

"Long enough to hear a rather insightful story." He held his hand out to her, offering her assistance up from her seat on the floor.

She hesitated a moment before she slipped her fingers into his hand. "Thank you, milord."

"Camden." Awareness rippled across his flesh. He tightened his fingers around hers, unwilling to let her go for the moment.

"Camden," she repeated, her tone breathless.

The sensation had flowed through her as it did him. He released her fingers to brush her cheekbone with a motion that was almost but not quite a caress.

Instead of his fingers, he allowed his gaze to caress her skin. Warmth brought a touch of pink to her cheeks. She leaned toward him, as though drawn to him by the same irresistible force that flowed through him.

Camden held himself back because of Violet's presence, despite the overwhelming desire to kiss Rhiannon. His emotions veered crazily, crackling around him until he realized it was not his emotions, but a loud boom that shook the room.

Violet shrieked and catapulted into Rhiannon's legs. She might have knocked her down had Camden not pulled them both into his arms.

"Violet, what's wrong? " Camden said, stroking the top of her head.

"It's the same noise that came a few moments before the men took my daddy away," she cried.

A cannon? Before Camden could respond, the door to the chamber burst open. Five warriors dressed in full battle gear erupted into the solar — Orrin, Hamish, Travis, Garret, and Hugh. "Milord," Orrin said. "We are under attack."

"From whom?" Camden spun toward the door, leaving the women behind.

"We watched them approach, a small army of fifty men. They were flying the colors of the Lockhart clan so we assumed they were more of the men from Lockhart Castle come to join us here. That was, until we saw the cannon."

"They fired on us?" Camden asked, his thoughts now fully on the coming war.

"Aye, milord."

"Call the men to arms," Camden ordered. "Hamish, take Rhiannon and Lady Violet to the storeroom. No one will think to look for them there."

"You think this attack is targeted at them?" Hamish asked with a puzzled frown.

"I am certain of it."