Page 80 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
Her gaze turned toward the guard who had locked her in. Pensive. The stranger was worried she would state the way he’d dragged her here. Tensions were high enough and the fierce undercurrent which was running in Callum’s eyes declared one harsh word by her, swords would be drawn. “This man-at-arms simply detained me till your arrival. Sir Brayden?” The Northern guard’s shoulders lowered while she looked past, not seeing the friend.
“Fetching the chargers from the stables,” Callum answered before he glared at the “man-at-arms” while explaining, “This knight is under King Magnus’s captain. We met once before in Stirling.”
He bowed his head slightly. “Forgive me, my lady, had I known—”
“Dagny.” Holger’s furious bellow tore the hall and their conversation to pieces. “Halt with being coy and release this door!”
“No.”
“Dagny!”
“Brother, you have the same tone as when I stole your favorite bridle for my daily ride and forgot to place it back.”
“This is not a bridle, you insolent little fool!”
Nella took Callum’s offered hand while they stepped out into the passage with the guards trailing by the spectacle unfolding. “Kameron,” Holger growled, “I know you are in there and hear me. You had best release this—”
Holger’s threat paused when Nella released Callum’s palm to set her fingers onto the flared bicep looking ready to punch the door in. “Allow me a try?” she offered before his crimson face nodded.
“Get this door open, Lady Fawnella, or I shall take a fuking axe to it.”
“Kameron?” she hailed the lad – calmly.
“My lady, you are unharmed?”
“Aye, you both as well?”
“Aye,” Kameron replied. The lad’s tone quivered, scared; he was frightened. The next words illuminated the cause. “My lady, I hit Sir James too hard. I… I slayed him with my hammer. He was threatening Lady Dagny with his dagger.” A tiny catch in breath by Holger from surprise made her turn then narrow her lashes at the lord before she turned back toward the door.
“Kameron?”
“Aye?”
“I heard Sir James threaten her as well, there is nothin’ to fear,” she promised. “You have done what any knight would in your place.”
“No harm shall befall him, Lady Fawnella?” Dagny’s voice, ridden by worry, asked.
She looked at Callum, who nodded assuredly. “None,” she swore, “I vow it. Lady Dagny, I have the captain of King Alexander’s guard here with me, Sir Callum…”
“Kameron cares for him,” Dagny broke in with a sniffle lining her words.
“Aye, the lad is upon Scottish soil. He shall be well; you need not worry. Please, my wee ones, release the door.”
A shuffle by smaller feet sounded before the board was removed. Two sets of wide eyes appeared, Dagny’s sleeve was torn by what appeared like a dagger blade, and Sir James who was missing his jaw in a pool of blood riddled the floorboards. Oh my.
Kameron held his arm protectively about Dagny. Nella was not the only one to notice.
“Remove your hands from my sister,” Holger barked.
Kameron lowered his arm as Nella stepped in and took a hand from each of them into her own as she declared, “You are both safe, ’tis all that matters.” It was.
Chapter 41
“What were you thinking inviting Sir James into your bedchamber before your vows were taken?” Callum heard Holger accuse. More concerned about propriety than his sister’s own well-being.What a piece of work.
The chamber where Nella had been held when he entered the abbey, he now stood with her by his side. The Northman glared at his sister while Kameron –look at him– had his fists at his sides as if ready to fight in the northern lady’s honor.Future knight material for sure.
Dagny slapped her palms on her hips. “I am not daft, brother! Sir James forced his way into my chambers.”
