Highland Warrior (Campbell Trilogy #1)(92)

“It’s not that simple. Niall swore that he would leave if I did not agree—and Brian was so ill, I feared that it would kill him. He said that you would throw them in the dungeon.”

“And you believed them?” His voice was deceptively even.

“No.”

He gave her a measured look, challenging her claim with his cool, assessing gaze.

“At least I hoped you wouldn’t,” she admitted. “But I know how you feel about outlaws and your duty to the law.”

“You are my wife,” he said stonily.

She could tell by his voice that her lack of faith had hurt him. “I know that. But there’s also your cousin to consider. I feared what he would do if he discovered they were alive.”

“Your fears, as it turns out, were misplaced.”

“What do you mean?”

“If it was discovered that your brothers lived, Argyll promised to be lenient.”

“But why would he agree to that?”

“He had much to account for.”

She realized what must have happened. Jamie had exacted payment from Argyll for the wrong he’d done him in mercy for her brothers. “You did that for me?”

He nodded.

“You never told me.”

“You never gave me the opportunity.”

Because I didn’t tell him the truth.

“Where are they, Caitrina?”

She hesitated a second too long.

“Bloody hell!” he exploded. “You want my help, but you still don’t trust me.”

“I do trust you, I do.” She could sense him pulling away from her and clutched his arm. She had to do something. Tilting her head back, she looked deep into his eyes and somehow found the words that she’d been unable to voice but had been in her heart all along. “I . . .” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I love you.”

Something flickered in his gaze, and his muscles went rigid under her fingertips. “If only I could believe that.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Why now, Caitrina? I know how much your brothers mean to you and that you’d say anything to help them. But it isn’t necessary. I’d help them anyway.”

Caitrina was incredulous. She’d finally found the courage to voice her feelings and he refused to hear her. “You don’t believe me?”

“Love means trust. You can’t have one without the other.”

“You don’t understand. I promised—”

“To hell with your promise.” He took her elbow and shook her angrily. “Tell me where I can find them. If you don’t tell me what you know, I won’t be able to help them.”

“But what about Colin?”

His face was grim, not hiding the truth. “You better hope that I find them first.”

Her blood ran cold. He was right. The hills would be blanketed with Campbells in an hour. If Colin found her brothers, there would be no mercy. Of course, there was a chance that they would evade discovery, but it wasn’t a chance she was willing to take.

She debated but knew she didn’t have much choice. She had to trust that Jamie would help them. Still, breaking her word to her brother did not sit well with her. Niall would be furious. But what else could she do? She’d rather have them angry than dead.

Sensing her struggle, Jamie said gently, “I can protect them, Caitrina.”

She looked deep into his eyes and saw only sincerity. “Promise you won’t let Colin harm them.”

“I’ll do everything in my power to see that they come to no harm, but I can only do that if you tell me where they are.”

There was no time left for indecision. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she nodded. If I’m wrong . . .

No. She trusted Jamie with her life. And now she trusted him with her brothers’ lives as well. “Very well. I’ll take you there.”

“No,” he said flatly. “It’s too dangerous.”

The overprotectiveness toward her was to be expected, but she would have none of it—not with something this important. “There is no other way. I would not be able to give you directions, and my brother and his men will be lying in wait. If they see you, they are liable to put an arrow in you. I’ll go first and explain.” Lord knows what I will say. “I’ve been many times before without incident.”

His mouth tightened at the reference to her secret. “But not with my brother and his men roaming the hills. Someone else must know where they are. What about the old woman?”

Caitrina would not be dissuaded; Mor would not be able to explain. “I’m going. I need to be the one to explain.” He looked ready to argue, but she stopped him. “Please, Jamie, I need to do this. I promise to be careful, and you’ll be there with me.”

He shook his head. “I don’t want to see you get in the middle of anything.”

“I’m already in the middle,” she said softly.

He was silent for a moment, studying her face. “Please,” she said one more time.

She could see the conflict war across his features. Finally, he swore. “Very well, but you must promise to do exactly as I say.”

“You mean follow orders,” she said dryly.

He didn’t see the humor. “That’s precisely what I mean,” he snapped. “If I so much as blink in your direction, you’ll listen. If I say jump, you do it.” His voice grew more insistent. “I mean it, Caitrina. No arguments. No questions. Understood?”