Highland Warrior (Campbell Trilogy #1)(105)
“Just as my men and I will pay for attacking your brother.”
“I will see that you have justice.” Given Colin’s part in the lass’s suffering, maybe it was fitting that justice come from Jamie.
Justice. What was it in this instance? He’d always equated justice with the law, but this time the answer was not so clear-cut. Niall Lamont had not had an easy time of it—the choices he’d made under the circumstances seemed understandable. Caitrina’s accusation came back to him. Had he unknowingly been driven by Duncan’s betrayal and become rigid in his view of right and wrong because of it?
He’d never questioned Duncan’s guilt, but he wondered now whether he should have. Had he judged his eldest brother too harshly? It was a sobering thought. One with implications that resonated far deeper than Jamie wanted to contemplate.
Niall was watching him. “You know, I almost believe you.” Jamie rowed for a while longer before Niall broke the silence. “Give her time.”
Jamie’s gaze was shrewd and appraising, wondering at Niall’s motives. “Why do you care? I would think you would be happy to have your sister rid of me.”
“You’re right. You are about the last man I’d wish to see my sister married to. But I’m not blind. I see how she feels about you, and I want her to be happy.”
Jamie nodded. So do I. He just didn’t know if he was the one to make her so. Because no matter what her brother said, it was Caitrina who needed to believe in him.
Chapter 24
It took Caitrina less than an hour to make up her mind. She would not sit back and allow her brother to be taken from her—not again. Not while it was in her power to do something. If Jamie wouldn’t listen to her, there was only one person left to whom she could appeal.
She gritted her teeth and fought back the wave of distaste.
“Are you sure about this, Caiti?” Mor met her gaze in the looking glass, putting the finishing touches on her hair.
Caitrina caught sight of her image in the mirror and started, shocked at the transformation wrought by a new gown and a few hairpins. For a moment, it was like looking into the past. But the girl who met her gaze in the gilded mirror was nothing like the one that day last spring who’d donned a beautiful gown and met a handsome knight in a magical kingdom. That kingdom was gone forever—if it had ever really existed. If you looked deeper, you could see the changes. The girl was now a woman who knew what it was like to lose everything and find the strength to live—and love—again.
She would give anything to have her father and brother back, but she didn’t want to be the naïve, cosseted girl she was before. Jamie had never withheld the truth from her but treated her as an equal. No longer blind to what was going on around her, she found that life was more complicated, but also richer and more meaningful. It was a strange realization.
Her hand slid over the plush silvery blue velvet of her bodice, and her mouth lifted in a small smile. One thing hadn’t changed: She still could appreciate a beautiful gown. Earlier, she’d sent Mor to the village with the bag of coin given to her by Jamie to purchase a new dress, if one could be found. Much to her surprise, Mor had returned with this fine court gown with its ivory satin underskirt and elaborately embroidered velvet bodice—only to discover that Jamie had sent for it some time ago. Her heart squeezed, realizing he must have meant to surprise her.
Her hair had been coiled into an elaborate arrangement and secured with a wreath of delicate seed pearls that Jamie had given her on their wedding day, along with a matching set of necklace and earrings. It was the first time she’d worn them. Ironic, perhaps, given the state of her marriage.
But she could not think of that now. The pain of losing him was too paralyzing; she had to concentrate on what she needed to do.
To that end, she stood up from the table and answered Mor. “Yes, very sure.” She was determined to do whatever it took to keep her home and family safe. She would beg or bargain with the devil himself if it meant keeping her brother alive. In this case, the devil was the Earl of Argyll.
Fortunately, Jamie had not left orders confining her to the castle, but the captain of his guardsmen had insisted on accompanying her himself with at least a dozen men. “I’ll leave as soon as my escort is ready and I’ve had a chance to check on Brian.”
“The laddie is doing much better,” Mor said.
It was a relief to hear so, but Caitrina needed to see for herself. A few minutes later, she opened the door to his chamber and was pleased to see her brother sitting upright in bed. He’d been cleaned up and a fresh bandage—thankfully absent of bloodstains—placed around his head. A healthy flush had returned to his cheeks.
“I’ve had enough broth,” he said, waving the bowl away. “I’m starving. Can’t you find just one wee piece of beef?” he pleaded, a plaintive expression on his face, trying to cajole the pretty maid at his bedside.
God, he looks like Malcolm. But if that roguish expression was any indication, he’d been around Niall too long. Her heart tugged, realizing how much Brian had aged in the months they’d been apart. He was three and ten now, but the passage of another birthday wasn’t the cause. Like her, he’d seen death and the destruction of their clan, not to mention living as an outlaw for months.
He caught sight of her in the doorway, and a wide smile spread across his boyish face. “Caiti!” He turned his efforts to her. “I’m so glad you’re here. Won’t you tell Mairi that I need beef if I’m to get back my strength?”