Page 51 of Forbidden Vow
“Outnumbered and given my skills with a knife and a sword, one would think you would welcome my accompaniment.” She angled her chin. “Norwill I remain.”
He clenched his fingers, unsure if it was with the need to strangle her for her stubbornness or to pull her against him and kiss her.
Shaken by fierce desire slamming through him, too aware of how at this precise moment he was on dangerous ground, Aiden leaned toward her with a fierce scowl. “You will accompany me. If for naught else, to save the time ’twould take to return for you.”
“How noble,” she said,her voice dry.
Jaw tight, he moved back, aware if she touched him now, asked him to make love, he would likely be unable to deny the blaze burning between them.
“I will retrieve the few supplies we will need.” Gwendolyn stormed off.
Aiden rubbed the back of his neck. That had gone blasted well. Aye, her temper should help keep his mind on his mission, where it should have remainedfrom the start.
A short while later, she returned.
The rumble of water roared around them as they slipped into the dense cover. Aiden held up his hand. Alone, he crept to the ledge above, peered through the clutter of brush, rocks, and grass.
A small contingent of men was camped on the opposite side of the clearing.
Aiden climbed down to where Gwendolyn was hidden.
“Did you see anyone?”
“Aye. They are some way back from the falls, the reason we didna spot them from below.”
Gwendolyn’s face paled. “We must find a way past them and reach Lord Comyn.”
“’Tis too dangerous to chance our course now. For now, ’tis safest to continue southeast and follow the river.”
After a brief hesitation, she nodded.
The tension in his body eased a bit. “If you see anything as we travel, tell me.” After glancing at the morning sun to get his bearings, he started down the incline. As before, he kept to the rocks whenever possible.
Masculine voicessounded ahead.
Aiden waved her to follow him behind a dense fir. Squatting, he caught his breath as he parted the needled boughs. Ahead, a sizable force was ridingalong the bank.
“They are too close to the river for us to sneak past,” Gwendolyn whispered.
“Aye. We must go inland and then farther south.” A move that would suit his plans even better.
“But we overheard the duke’s man say King Robert’scamp isna far.”
“Trust me, all will be well.” For the Bruce, aye. As for Gwendolyn’s attitude toward him once she learned the truth, that wasanother matter.
Though her eyes had darkened with worry, she nodded. “I trust youwith my life.”
Guilt welled within him. However much he despised the thought of breaking her faith in him, of never seeing her again, he would find comfort in knowing the Bruce would ensure that she waswell cared for.
Before he muddled his mind further with dangerous thoughts of her, Aiden refocused on their escape.
A warm breeze rustled the leaves overhead at midday as he halted beneath an overhang of rock shielded by trees. “We will rest here to eat. Though we havena seen English troops since this morning, we must be careful.”
* * * *
Stifling a groan at her sore muscles, Gwendolyn settled on a smooth stone, appreciating the sun’s warmth. She unpacked a loaf of bread and cheese, sliced off a wedge of each, and then handed him both. After taking a portion for herself, she stowed the fare.
Clouds slid over the sun, enshrouding the earth withina murky gloom.
