Mist Warrior (35 page)

That managed to get Catriona
moving up the stairs, although her step was slow. They entered Richard's solar and he closed the door, bolting it behind him. He revived the fire in the hearth
,
then rose
,
and stripped off his sword belt, tossing it into a nearby chair. Then he removed his tunic, wearing only his boots and hosen.

His body was lean and strong
,
but did not have the power of Bra
nan's. Her heart lurched and Catriona
quickly averted her eyes. Why must she keep thinking of Branan? She clasped her hands tightly in front of her, staring at the floor.

Richard sighed softly and poured two cups of wine, moving to hand one to her. She took it, praying he ct, ="G couldn't see her shaking.

“
'Tis been a long day,
”
he said and sank into the divan before the fireplace.

“
Aye,
”
Catriona
whispered, managing to take a gulp of wine.

“
You are frightened.
”

She nodded.

Worry not, dear wife, I shall be gentle this eve.
”

Wife,
the word made the bile rise in her throat and the thought of him bedding her made her absolutely ill. She took another drink of wine.

“
Sit with me, Catriona, please.
”

Surprised and uncertain, Catriona joined him on the divan.

He took her hand in his.
“
Catriona, I am truly sorry. I know you've been placed in a very difficult position and I have not made it any easier.
”

She stared up at him, her eyes wide with astonishment.

“
When I was forced to bed to recover from my injury
,
it allowed me time to think, to consider you and all I had learned. My upbringing did not prepare me to deal with a woman who can shoot a bow, who does
not mind physical labor,
who will stand boldly and let me know on no uncertain terms when she is displeased with me.
”

Catriona felt her lips tug upward. Richard grinned and pulled her fingers to his lips, kissing them softly.
“
My harshness with you was mostly due to fear...fear you would be injured or even killed. I thought you were intentionally placing yourself in danger.
”

She opened her mouth to speak
,
but he shook his head.
“
Nay, lady, let me finish
,
please. When I was abed, I found myself longing to go hunting with my forester, or riding, or even meet with someone to discuss a new venture. I was trapped in my room with no escape, no idea of the happenings around me
,
and no freedom. Suddenly
,
I realized that is exactly what I had attempted to do to you. I understood perfectly then
,
why you reacted to me the way you did.
”
He paused and sighed softly. With his free hand he reached up and gently began to remove the flowers from her hair.
“
Despite my desire to separate myself from Branan's quest, I came to Thistlewood so often not only to see you
,
but because I began to realize the freedom you found there. I felt it too, Catriona, the sense of community, of family, of shared purpose. I know now why you felt comfortable there and why you want to stay.

Catriona fe
lt a bit of her fear ease. If Richard
could understand that
,
perhaps there was hope for them
. Perhaps
,
he
would not locked
her
away and forbid
her
any joy in life.

“
I know I have been a beast, Catriona,
and I pray just give me an opportunity
. I am trying very hard to open my eyes to new possibilities. I know I will make mistakes
,
but I vow, for the sake of your happiness, I will try to be the husband you need and give you the home you deserve.
”
He cupped her cheek in his hand, his dark eyes glittering.

Her throat tightened with emotion. She had never expected this sort of response from him. 
“
Richard, thank you. I will
—
”

A terrible crash resounded through the keep and they both jumped.

Screams echoed up the stairs with noises Catriona could not define. Richard lifted his head, his nostrils flaring and the planes of his face hardening in anger.
“
God's bonnet,
< cnnefont>
”
he snarled. He
rose and seized his sword from the chair.
“
If this is that fool Scotsman of yours
,
I will have his head on a pike.
”
Richard
strode past her and opened the door.

Catriona clearly heard the sound of steel clashing against steel. What was happening? Had Branan and Gavin done something daft? She didn't know if she should shout grateful praises or terrified curses.

Richard stepped through the door, his bared blade gleaming in the firelight. She thought he might charge forward
,
but suddenly he froze.
“
Bastard of Strickland,
”
he growled.

What?

Richard reached into the room.
“
Catriona! To me, quickly!.
”
The urgency in his voice drove her to his side without question.
“
Stay behind me. Back up to the end of the corridor.
”

Catriona thought she had been terrified before
,
but it was nothing compared to this. Three men stood before her new husband, fully armored. Two were giant knights and the third was
smaller
,
but built like a short bull. He had sandy blond hair and a beard
,
but Catriona
could make out little else in the poorly lit corridor. Was he David....Strickland's bastard heir?

One of the knights cut at Richard. He easily parried. Fortunately the corridor was too narrow for them to attack two at a time.
“
Back up,
”
he growled again.

Instinctively, Catriona placed her hand on his back
,
so he would know where she stood. In a fighting retreat
,
they slowly withdrew down the corridor.

Richard continued to parry sword blows only going on the offensive when the knights closed the distance. He was a good warrior
,
but
he
fought without armor.

They reached the end of the corridor.
“
In the floor,
”
he snapped, his breath short and sweat rolling down his body.
“
Move the rug.
”

Catriona quickly did so and spotted a bolted trap door. An escape route! She frantically tried to free the bolt.

Richard battled to find off an attack and not step on her.
“
Hurry!
”

Catriona snapped a curse as the bolt abruptly came free and she ripped her knuckles on the latch.

Richard glanced down at her for an instant.

“
Nay!
”
s
he screamed, seeing the knight seize the opportunity. His sword drove deeply into Richard's gut.

Richard bellowed, cutting down the knight and opening his throat. Blood gouted from the wound, showering Richard and spattering Catriona. The second knight attacked and Richard, clutching his gut with his free hand, barely managed to block the blow. But he countered with a kick to the man's groin. With a muffled gasp, the man staggered, plowing into David and knocking him back more than a few paces.

Catriona tossed open the trap door.
“
Come on!
”
she screamed, grabbing Richard's shoulder and tugging him toward her.

“
Go! Down the ladder.
”

She scrambled down. It was pitch black
,
but within a few steps
,
she felt a solid floor beneath her. Richard descended, fighting to hold his sword and onto the ladder with the same hand, his left still clutching his belly.
“
Stand
against the wall, Catriona. I've got to drop my sword. crop" face="Ga
”

“
All right,
”
she called back. She heard a clatter in front of her. Richard slammed the trap door closed and bolted it. An instant later
,
sharp blows
echoed
against the heavy wood and a loud crack
ing sound resounded
.

“
That will only slow them down,
”
Richard said as he descended.
“
We've got to move fast.
”

“
I can't see a bloody thing.
”

“
Give me a moment,
”
he replied. His labored breathing
echoed harshly in her ears. Catriona
saw a spark and Richard lit a small lantern, pulling it from a shelf against the wall. She spotted the glimmer of sword blades on weapon racks.
“
I like to be prepared
,
but I never thought I'd really have to use this escape route.
”

In the faint light, Catriona
saw blood streaming through Richard’s
fingers and down his leg. The blood appeared too dark, almost black. A deep enough gut wound would be fatal.
“
Blessed Mary,
”
she whispered and tore her skirts into long strips.

“
We must hurry,
”
Richard said through clenched teeth.

“
This will only take a moment,
”
Catriona
snapped. She wrapped the strips of fabric around him, binding the wound tightly. Richard sucked in his breath, muttering curses against
t
he pain.