Page 68 of Deception of a Highlander

She didn’t trust him. He knew that. Never had he faulted her for her skepticism, but now he understood her hesitation.

“I dinna mean to sound so harsh. I just…” He paused, uncertain what to say. He’d never been good at this kind of thing. “Seeing yer back made me want to kill the man who did that to ye. I’m no’ angry at ye.”

She turned her face into his chest. “You don’t question what I did to deserve it?”

“It doesna matter what ye did. No woman deserves to be treated thus.” He drew a deep breath in an attempt to rein in the anger coursing through him.

Certainly, he wanted to know why someone would whip her to such an extent but forcing the truth would push her further away. He had learned much from dealing with Blair when he’d first brought her back to Caisteal Camus.

“Ye dinna need to tell me the reason if ye are nae ready.”

When Mariel did not speak, he was not surprised. Nor did her silence wound him as it had in the past. She would speak when she was ready, and he would be there to listen, to help ease her hurt.

He released her and kept her hands clasped in his. “We need to talk, lass.” The timing was terrible, but the news could not wait. She needed to be told.

The tiny muscles in Mariel’s neck stood out. Damn the news for arriving when it did. He felt like an arse for having to tell her now.

“Please dinna be concerned, but I received word that an English assassin has been sent after me. I think ye can understand what this means.”

The color drained from her face.

“Dinna worry, I am having Alec collect Blair and Dougal now. I know Blair willna come of her own accord and will need to be forced. With Hampton putting a price on my head, it isna hard to determine who he is really seeking. I’ll no’ stand by and let Blair and Dougal be harmed because she’s too stubborn to live in the castle.”

He squeezed Mariel’s warm hand. Her pulse fluttered erratically against his palm.

“Ye know Blair willna be happy about being made to come here, and that is why I am telling ye. I hate to ask this of ye, but I need yer help in making her comfortable here, aye? She trusts ye.”

Mariel pulled her hand from Kieran’s and secured the robe tighter around her body. “Of course,” she replied at last with a tense smile.

He could feel her discomfort from where he stood. His discovery of her back had unsettled her. “Ye are always so willing to help.” His fingertip trailed the delicate line of her jaw.

“And you are always so understanding.” Mariel looked up at him, her eyes searching his. “You make me feel as if I could tell you anything.”

“Ye can, lass.” He held his body perfectly still as if the slightest movement would frighten her from speech.

“I want to.” She paused for a moment. “You seem as if you would forgive anything.”

“So long as ye pose no threat to my family, I would forgive ye anything.” It was a miserable excuse for a jest in an effort to lighten the mood.

She gave a small smile. “It would be wise not to be your assassin then.”

He laughed and drew her against him, grateful to see her playfulness had returned. “It would be verra wise indeed.” His hand slid beneath her robe and cupped the silken weight of her breast. “Ye’re far too enticing to kill.”

“And yet, you would keep me from your bed?” Her tone evidenced her displeasure.

The weight of the conversation draped heavily on his shoulders. “The easiest way to kill someone is in their sleep. I know I wake easily and can protect myself, but you…” His palm skimmed her glossy hair.

Every part of her was smooth or soft or silky. Her beauty captivated him, but she was so much more than that. If something ever happened to her…

His chest grew tight. No, he would never place her in danger. She was far too important to him, far more than he could ever explain to her.

* * *

Mariel was grateful for the press of Kieran’s chest against her face. She could not bring herself to meet his gaze. The pain would be too great.

She’d had the perfect opportunity to tell him the truth, and she had not taken it. How could she be such a coward? He had offered to help. He promised to be understanding.

Yet still, she could not risk trusting him.