Could he be so accurate? Opening her hand, but shielding the piece from him, she frowned down at the brooch and counted the jewels in question. Indeed, he was correct. He had to be telling the truth. She observed him and his midnight eyes. The lingering anger lowering his brows convinced her.
"I'm right, am I not?" he asked.
Humbled, she felt her outrage drain away. "Aye."
"I looked at the brooch often when I was a lad. Every night, my mother wore it at supper at her brother's castle. The jewels sparkling in the firelight always fascinated me. 'Twas the most colorful and brilliant thing around, aside from the stained glass windows at the kirk."
Mairiana stared down at the brooch again, trying to imagine a wee dark-eyed lad studying the jewels, counting them. Perhaps the most valuable thing anyone in his clan possessed, and Alec had stolen it. No doubt on a lark, simply to see if he could. Something he could sell or give as a gift which would make him look wealthy and extravagant. But, in truth, it had meant nothing to him. Like giving a pebble he might have picked up beside the road.
Closing her hand around the brooch, she held it out toward Darack. When he didn't immediately lift his hand, her gaze darted up to him. His midnight eyes held questions and a bit of astonishment.
"Take it," she whispered.
His expression lightened and changed, as if she mystified him. As if what she did was completely unexpected.
Slowly, he lifted his open palm and she deposited the brooch there, her fingers grazing his hot skin. She drew her hand back while he held the brooch and studied it for a moment. Was he reassuring himself 'twas the right brooch?
"Take it to your mother," she said.
He lifted a brow, eyeing her suspiciously. "Are you certain you won't accuse me of theft?"
"Nay." Annoyance twisted through her. "What sort of person do you take me for?"
"One who usually gets whatever she wants."
Perhaps in the past she had, but she had never been manipulative. His distrust left a bitter taste in her mouth. "Well then, what I want now is for your mother to have it, with my blessing. 'Tis hers, after all. Besides, I want naught that reminds me of Alec."
Darack gave a wry, twisted grin.
"You think me spoiled?" she demanded. "If so, 'tis my brothers' fault for giving me whatever I wanted. And before them, my father."
"Not at all," Darack said lightly, which completely negated his words.
"I don't believe you, but what of it?" she muttered. "I don't have what I want now." She glanced away, painful emotion constricting her throat. "I'll never have what I want. Things couldn't have worked out any worse."
"What? You don't relish going on the run with an outlaw MacGregor?" He smirked.
She narrowed her eyes, taking in his teasing but self-deprecating expression. Of course, she didn't relish it, but should she tell him that and risk insulting him? Nay, he was helping her. If not for him, where would she be? Still trapped at Lenor Castle.
"It could be worse," she admitted. "But I would've never imagined it would turn out like this, with me running away just before the wedding. I've heard of brides doing so before, but thought they were mad. I always wanted to grow up and be a bride, since I was a wee lass. From the moment I met Alec, I thought him the epitome of a charming, honorable Scotsman."
Darack snorted, his gaze filled with disgust and derision.
She well knew now how wrong she'd been in judging Alec's character. How foolish. She could still hardly believe his betrayal, that he would steal Dugald's priceless dagger, have someone sell it for a pittance, as if it was so much rubbish, and commit murder over it. Then to steal Darack's mother's beloved brooch… what kind of idiot was Alec? He had not even a smidgen of principal or honor. He didn't need to steal to feed his family. Theft was simply a risky pastime for him, something he did for fun. And to top it off, murder. Had he killed anyone before or was the poor guard his first victim?
Darack nodded. "Next time, you will not allow the wool to be pulled over your eyes so easily. You've always been an intelligent woman. Now, you are a wise one. Don't trust so quickly."
"I shan't. You need not worry," she snapped. Aye, she'd learned a lesson, a painful one. She couldn't trust herself, much less anyone else. But she was trusting Darack right now, wasn't she? Else why would she be here, on the run with him? Did he deserve her trust, or would he abandon her at first opportunity now that he had what he'd come for? He hadn't known she'd possessed the brooch; that much was obvious to her because of his reaction when he'd first seen it in her hand. Therefore, he'd helped her escape because he'd wanted to. She could imagine no other reason, unless it was something she hadn't considered.
"Why are you helping me?" she asked.
"I already answered that last night. Why would you ask again? You didn't believe me before?"
"Aye, I did. I just want to be sure you won't abandon me."
He frowned. "Of course, I won't. Do you think I lack honor?"
"Nay, certainly not."
