Highland Outlaw (Campbell Trilogy #2)(48)
The blood drained from her face as she met the friendly blue-eyed gaze of the handsome blond giant standing before her.
It seemed she would not be able to ignore her duty; it had just arrived. For standing next to her brother was none other than Robert Campbell.
“Ah, there you are, Lizzie,” Colin said, moving forward to enfold her in an awkward embrace. Physical affection had never come easily to her brother—actually, affection in general didn't seem to come easily to him. “I was surprised you did not come out to greet us.”
Lizzie didn't miss the subtle admonition so typical of her brother. “I was in the east range and didn't hear you arrive.” Remembering what Patrick had said, she added, “Overseeing the construction project that our cousin left under my supervision.” Figuring that Colin could use a little admonition himself, she said, “If I'd known you were coming, of course, I would have been here to greet you and your guests myself.”
Colin frowned, looking at her as if she'd just grown a second head.
But Robert Campbell chuckled. “She's got you there, Auchinbreck.” He took her hand and gave her a short bow. “We apologize for descending on you unannounced, my lady, but there wasn't time to send a messenger.”
“Aye,” Colin said, recovering from his shock at her rebuke. “I met up with Campbell here a few days ago near the Lomond Hills. We decided to join forces, but the damn outlaws have vanished.”
Lizzie swallowed hard. It seemed that the prospect of an alliance between the two warring branches of clan Campbell was already bearing fruit. The noose hanging around her neck tightened. Realizing that the men were staring at her, she asked, “So you've given up your search?”
“Nay, little sister, I'll never give up.” Colin's eyes hardened. “After what they dared try to do to you, the MacGregors will pay. I'll see their heads on pikes—every last one of them.”
Something in his voice made her skin crawl with fear. Colin was a hard man, occasionally even a cruel one. He was a difficult man to love, but as he was her brother, she tried to do so.
Though Lizzie had no wish to encounter the MacGregor brigands again, neither did she want any more bloodshed on her account. But she knew her brother well enough to know that nothing she said would change his mind. He cared for her in his own way. But of all her brothers, Colin valued her opinion the least.
“We decided to retrench for a few days and lull them out of hiding,” Robert Campbell explained. “Your brother was kind enough to invite me and my men to enjoy the hospitality of Castle Campbell while we wait.”
“I thought it was a good opportunity for you to get to know each other better,” Colin said meaningfully.
Lizzie felt the heat rise to her cheeks. So much for subtlety. How like a brother to say something to embarrass her. “You and your men are most welcome, my laird,” she said with a smile directed at Robert Campbell.
He returned her smile, and at that moment Patrick Murray walked through the door from the kitchens, holding an apple in his hand.
He stopped midstep, shock and something else crossing his face before he quickly covered it.
“Excuse me,” he said with a short nod, heading immediately for the door.
Colin was studying him with a queer look on his face. “Who is that man? I don't recognize him, but he seems familiar.”
“Patrick, wait,” Lizzie said, stopping him just as he'd reached the door. He turned and looked at her, his face devoid of expression. “My brother the Laird of Auchinbreck has arrived.”
“So I see, my lady.” His gaze turned to Robert Campbell.
“And this is Robert Campbell,” she said softly, the hint of an apology in her voice. His gaze chilled, as hard and black as coal. Something painful squeezed in her chest, and she had to look away. “This is Patrick Murray,” she explained to Colin, “the man who rescued us from the attack. He and his men agreed to stay on for a while.”
“Is that so?” Colin said, stroking his chin. “It seems we owe you a debt of gratitude, Murray.”
“You owe me nothing, my laird. I was honored to offer the lady assistance.” Patrick's voice was polite but empty. His gaze when he looked at her was that of a stranger, giving no hint of what had passed between them only moments ago. “If you'll excuse me, I must return to my duties.”
She didn't miss his emphasis on the last word. A gauntlet indeed.
Chapter 10
To Patrick's mind there was no cause to celebrate, but the hall was filled to bursting with the sounds of the pipes and merrymaking as the ceilidh got under way. Highlanders welcomed any excuse to feast, and Campbells—Highlanders when it proved expedient—were no exception.
He kept his gaze fixed on the steaming pile of beef and vegetables in front of him and not on the laughing couple seated at the dais, but every inch of his body teemed with barely restrained fury. After a long week of being forced to stand in the shadows and watch his enemy woo the woman he wanted—and not being able to do a damn thing about it—Patrick was perilously close to losing control.
Every instinct clamored to storm over there and smash his fist through the too-damn-charming smile of his erstwhile cousin Robert Campbell, though to do so could be a disaster of deadly proportions. Patrick dared not do anything to draw any more attention to him and his men. They were treading on dangerous ground already.