Quellebrute!
So sure of himself, was he not? She gloweredat him, refusing to be cowed. Even with her hands tied in front,she could crouch and grab her small dagger from the sheath on hercalf, but what good would it do her? She couldn't fight nearly twodozen brawny Highlanders.
"Are you thirsty, m'lady?" he asked in a deepand rolling brogue.
Seeing an opportunity to have the gagremoved, she nodded eagerly.
His look remained hard as he came closer."'Twill do you no good to scream. No one is about for miles."
She dipped her head, trying to appear as meekand malleable as possible.
At the back of her head, he cut thetight-fitting gag from her mouth and she sighed with relief.
Rubbing the chafed corners of her lips, shefrowned up at him. "Mèrede Dieu, why in heaven'sname did you abduct me?"
"One of the Lindsays stole my valuabledagger. I intend to exchange you for it."
"I do not even know the Lindsays,monsieur."
He scowled. "Do not lie to me,madame.I ken exactly who you are. You stayed in my castle for asennight."
Parbleu, he was mad! "Non, Ihave never been to your castle. You think I am some chief'swife?"
"Aye, indeed, Lady Lindsay."
"You are mistaken. I am no one's wife. I amCamille Bouchard," she stated firmly.
He smirked. "'Tis useless to lie. I rememberyou—French, blond. You're Lindsay's young wife of only a fewmonths, his third."
She held up her bound hands. "I have nowedding ring on beneath these gloves."
"That means naught. You could've easilyremoved it for safekeeping before your travels."
She blew out an annoyed breath. "You are amadman!"
"I'll not argue with that." He gave ahumorless smile. "If your husband brings my dagger to me, you willreturn to him unharmed."
"And if Lindsay does not?"
Dugald shook his head. "He will. I ken wellhe is smitten with his beautiful new wife."
Beautiful?He thought her beautiful?At the moment, she probably looked like a hag, her loosened hairhanging halfway in her face, but she didn't care. He was to blamefor her disheveled appearance.
"That is not who I am!"
Ignoring her, he strode away.
"Wait!"
He turned back. "What is it?"
"I have a need to… visit the bushes," shesaid, heat rushing over her face and neck. 'Twas no lie. She hadnot relieved herself in hours.
Blowing out an annoyed breath, he returned toher side. "Very well." He gestured with his hand toward the bushesnear the edge of the moor.
"You will have to untie my hands."
His green eyes dark, he gave her a warninglook. "I will, but if you attempt fleeing, you will regret it."
