But he saw no alternative. He certainlywasn't allowing her to ride with one of his men. He could create apillion cushion and put her behind him, but he didn't trust herthat much. She could easily jump off and disappear into the wood.Or pull out her wee dirk and stab him. Nay, she was toounpredictable.
Although it would test his patience and hissanity, he would have to keep her right where she was until theyrode through the gates of Rornoch.
Chapter Six
Dugald and his party arrived home just afterdark. The torches were aglow in the courtyard.
"Thank the saints," Dugald muttered, near madwith persistent and lingering need. He swung down from the horse,then helped the lady dismount.
Ignoring her glare, he took her arm andgently guided her up the entry steps. His twin, Tòmas, met them inthe great hall, his eyes widening as he stared at theircaptive.
"Oh good heavens," she said. "There are twoof you?"
"Of course. You already know I have a twin,"Dugald said. "'Tis Tòmas."
His brother's astute gaze ran over Dugald'sshirt on the lass, along with the blanket, and then to Dugald'sbare chest.Don't ask, he wanted to say.
"Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"Tòmas asked, turning on his natural charm and taking her hand.
A wee barb of anxiety pricked Dugald. "Don'tyou recognize her? 'Tis Lady Lindsay."
Tòmas frowned, his perceptive gaze searchingher face. "Are you Lady Lindsay?"
"Non, but the chief refuses to listento me."
His brother burst out laughing.
"Tòmas, I'm warning you," Dugald growled.Damnation, if his brother didn't try his patience with his jesting.Though they'd always been close, they'd constantly brawled andwrestled when they were younger, neither able to best the other. Totheir ma's dismay, their da had never objected, saying theirconstant tussling would make them both stronger and betterwarriors.
Tòmas kissed the backs of her fingers, thensaid, "Could I speak to you in private, brother?" He nodded towardthe deserted corner near the high table.
"Aye. Wait here," Dugald told his bewitchingcaptive, then followed his brother. "Cease kissing her fingers andtrying to seduce her. She's a married lady."
"I hate to tell you this, but she is not LadyLindsay," Tòmas said, keeping his voice quiet.
"She is French, and she has blond hair,"Dugald said, irritation twisting through him. Surely his brotherdid not believe the lass over him.
Tòmas barely controlled his amusement. "Thatdoes not make her Lady Lindsay."
"You are daft. 'Tis her." Dugald eyed thelady where she stood near the entry, looking uncomfortable and outof place. "At the inn, the maid called her Lady Lindsay."
"I met Lady Lindsay," Tòmas said. "You mether as well, did you not?"
"Of course."
A brow raised, Tòmas scratched his stubbleroughened chin, eyeing Dugald as if he were mad.
He frowned at the lady, studying her. Werethey correct? With that strawberry juice staining her lips, whocould tell?
"I did not examine every detail of LadyLindsay's face!" Dugald said. "She is a married woman and herhusband was obviously possessive of her. Staring overlong wouldhave been daft. Besides, she had several beautiful women with her…unmarried women."
Tòmas nodded, looking wicked of a sudden. Nodoubt he had seduced one or two of them.
Dugald glared at his tempting hostage. "Shewas at the inn where the proprietor had already told me the Lindsayparty took up every room. No one but the Lindsays was stayingthere."
"M'lady," Tòmas called to her. "Could youplease join us?"
She proceeded to the corner where theystood.
