Another soldier just as big as the first approached Roderick and held his arms up to help her down, she hesitated until she heard Roderick say, “We will camp here tonight.” He pushed her toward the other man.
Siena felt like a sack of wool being passed around. She didn’t fight this time, but allowed herself to be lifted down, not that she had much choice. The moment her feet touched the ground, her legs buckled. She grabbed the warrior’s arms to keep from falling. “I--I’m so sorry. My legs have gone numb.”
Roderick dismounted. Immediately, he wrapped an arm around her waist. She was surprised how gentle he could be for someone so large. “Ah, wull, ye can lean on me while my men prepare bedding for you.”
Siena was thankful for his assistance. She hurt all over, and her legs tingled with what felt like a thousand needles sticking into them. She flexed her feet not caring one bit for this helpless feeling. Slowly, the stinging stopped, and she felt the blood returning to her legs so that she was able to support herself, however, the laird still had his arm around her for support.
Siena quickly glanced around. The campsite was ideal as it had a cliff behind them with tall oak trees around the clearing providing them with good protection. The cold air whipped around the cliff, causing her to shiver. She wished she had her woolen cloak.
“I—I’m grateful, sir, but still a little confused,” Siena said looking up at Roderick. She almost gasped at his dark eyes. Surely, they were not black, but they definitely didn’t show any emotion. “How did you come to be at Berwick?”
“I came to kill yer brother, lass,” he said with very little expression. Maybe his eyes were black after all and cold. “But I found ye had saved me the trouble, so I took you instead.”
“But I am worth nothing.”
“I didna take ye for ransom. You did me a favor and the verra least I could do was bring ye to safety. I’m pretty sure ye were not safe at yer home.”
“My brother was a true bastard,” she said with a shrug, her cheeks turning pink for boldly speaking her thoughts.
Roderick gave a bark of laughter. “Of that you and I agree. Did yer brother give ye that black eye?”
She nodded. She liked the sound of his laughter. Laughter wasn’t something she’d heard often in her lifetime.
“I promise ye somethin’ like that willna happen to you again.” He motioned toward two red plaids, woolen blankets spread across the ground. “There is yer bedding. Has the tingling stopped? Can ye walk now?”
“Aye.”
“Ah wull, we will go and wash off the warpaint while you both get settled.”
Agatha moved over to where they stood. “You are shivering. We’re lucky Laird Scott and his men arrived when they did. He saved you from being hanged; a minute later and you would have died.”
Siena followed Agatha to the pallet of blankets where they both sat down. A campfire had been built in the center of the clearing with the beds arranged all around the fire. Already she could feel the much-needed warmth from the fire. Agatha had brought a couple of wicker baskets and placed them beside her.
“I am so glad that my brother didn’t kill you,” Siena said with a sigh. “He told me you were dead.”
“Your brother only knocked me down. I wasn’t worth killing to his mind.” Agatha shrugged. “Begging your pardon, milady, we are better off without him.”
“I’m sure we are,” Siena agreed. She opened the basket next to her, but she only saw food. “You didn’t happen to bring my cloak, did you?”
“I did.” Agatha reached into a soft sack and pulled out the purple cloak. “A bit wrinkled, but I’m sure it will shake out once you have it on.”
“I don’t care about the wrinkles. I want the warmth.” Siena gratefully wrapped the cloak around her, and then glanced around at the dense forest. “Where are we going?”
“To Laird Scott’s holding. Like he said, you wouldn’t have been safe at Berwick, so I begged him to take us with him, or should I say myself because I was sure he was taking you.” Agatha laughed. “You know, milady, he hasn’t let go of you until we arrived here at the clearing and you started hitting him.”
“I do recall him saying he was going to toss me to the ground.” Siena smiled. “I’m glad he didn’t. I’m not sure I could take many more bruises today.” Her dark eyebrows slanted in a frown. “You know, I’ve never felt at home in Berwick. Do you suppose the Laird’s castle will be any better? Will we be accepted?”
“Laird Scott seems smart, milady, and strong. His people will accept us. I’m thinking of it as a new beginning.”
“His name sounds familiar but, at the moment, I cannot place his holding. Are we not his prisoners? It would seem so since my brother was his enemy.”
“I—I’m not sure, milady,” Agatha said. She reached into one of the baskets and produced a couple of blankets, which she set to the side. “Lord Roderick hasn’t treated us as such. I’m sure he’ll take care of us. I know he appears fierce, but I don’t sense the same cruelty like your brother had buried deep in him.”
“Perhaps,” Siena said in a not so convincing manner. She had lost everything. What man would want her now? She wasn’t too sure she needed a man especially if he was like her brother. Hadn’t her brother always told her how plain she was, and no man would want her? And what would she do at this other holding? She sighed. Could her life never be simple?
She wanted somebody to love her and care about her, and most of all she wanted to feel safe. Agatha was the only one who had ever taken an interest in her. Siena’s mother had died with her twin brother when she was born, so she’d never had a mother’s love, and her father had believed she was the cause of her mother’s death.
Evidently, something was wrong with her when her own family didn’t love her.
Chapter 3
Roderick stood, feet braced apart, on the other side of the fire talking with one of his men. Siena noticed that they had been to the stream to wash off their war paint, so they didn’t look as scary as earlier.
There was something about his name that sounded familiar, but again, she couldn’t place it. She knew she’d never seen him before because no one would forget meeting a man so large and powerful … and handsome. Aye, he was very handsome.
“Agatha, do you know the name of his holding?”
“Nay, I’ve not heard him say,” she replied as she unpacked food, which she’d stored in one of the baskets. “You must be hungry, milady.” She handed Siena a piece of chicken and a chunk of cheese.
The smell of chicken reminded Siena that she hadn’t eaten since the day before. She tried not to tear into the chicken, but nibbled, remembering she was a lady, however, her swollen lip hurt when she opened her mouth, so she had to eat slow. Her arm still needed mending, but it would have to wait until she had something to eat.
“We have food if you’re hungry,” Siena called to the men who were now gathering around the campfire that Gareth had built. They seemed hesitant until Roderick accepted a chicken leg. The men followed his lead and fetched pieces of chicken and cheese. In turn, they handed the ladies a flask of whisky to wash down their meal. Siena noticed how the men’s mood seemed lighter as they ate and talked among themselves. At least, no one was frowning at the moment, and without those frowns, they didn’t look so fierce, and they were not glaring at her with hatred.