"What happened? Is Da in a bad state?"
"Aye, he was shot here." Tosh pressed a hand to the side of his lower abdomen.
"Do you have any inkling who did it?"
"Nay. The chief was riding out with his bodyguards, as he always does. An arrow flew from the wood by the road. The bodyguards quickly brought him back inside the walls, then chased the culprit. They found hoof tracks and a few broken twigs, but not much else."
"Did they follow?"
"Aye. They followed the tracks to the road, where they could not tell in which direction they had gone because of the many tracks from other traffic. They split up and rode in both directions but came up with naught."
"Damnation. How could the bastard have disappeared so easily?" Rage blazed along his veins. "We'll be leaving in a matter of minutes."
"Take the men you brought for the Bearach garrison," Neacal said.
"Nay. I have plenty of men, both here and at Rhodie. I wouldn't want to leave Bearach vulnerable." Especially with Kristina here. He wanted her well protected.
"Be sure to send word of how your father is within a few days," Neacal said. "If you need help, I'll bring most of my men and leave a few guards here."
"I thank you." Colin gave him a warrior handshake. Neacal was so like a brother to him, he felt as close to him as he did his real brother, Bryce. "You're a good man. Please take care of the ladies."
"I will. And I pray your father recovers with all haste."
***
Kristina had not been able to sleep after Colin had left her chamber the night before. She'd lain in bed awake for hours, crying, castigating herself. How could she do this to Colin, the most caring and compassionate man she'd ever met? How could she do this to herself?
Her heart was breaking by her own hand, she knew. Still, she loved Colin too much to be selfish. If he did marry her, he would soon regret it, especially when he realized she could do very little. His father or his clan might even force him to either get an annulment or give up his inheritance. She couldn't do that to him. Marriage was not taken lightly amongst members of the upper class. Very rarely were love matches to be had.
Someone knocked on the door, startling her from the turbulent thoughts. Who could that be? She'd already sent two maids away, one who had poked and puttered about, annoying her to no end. She did not want to arise, nor did she wish to break her fast. Being near Colin would be torture. Could it be him knocking? She wanted to be with him so badly, but she couldn't. She felt as if her soul was ripping in two.
The knock sounded again, louder this time.
"Who is it?" she called.
The door opened. "'Tis me. Anna."
She was glad, for she did not want to argue with Colin again. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in seclusion with your new husband."
"I have bad news." Anna's voice was so serious it sent a flash of fear through Kristina.
She sat up. "What is it?"
"A messenger arrived early this morn with news that Colin's father has been shot with an arrow. Colin hastened back home to see how his da is."
"Och. Nay!" For a moment, it was as if 'twas her own father she was hearing about. "Was it a battle?"
"More like an assassination attempt. An arrow flew from the wood and the culprit was not found."
"Good heavens." Her heart was breaking for Colin. "I pray his father recovers."
"As do I."
"Colin did not even say good-bye." But why would he after her rejection? He probably never wanted to speak to her again. Tears pricked her eyes.
Anna took her hand and squeezed it. "There was no time. He had to hurry. He asked Neacal to tell you he was sorry to leave without saying good-bye."
Bless him. He had actually thought of her. A tear trailed down her cheek, and she wiped it away. "His father is in poor condition, then?"
