Page 70 of In the Highlander's Bed

But before he could speak, Thomas shouted, “We support the Lachlan. ’Tis not land we want, but justice.”

“Justice!” Brian echoed, and the others took up the call, the word louder and stronger each time it was repeated.

Justice.The word he had used over and over to spur them on, Gordon thought.

Colster was not pleased. “They’ll think on it,” he said to Gordon. “It’s a good offer. An honest one. You have your sword, Gordon, and it appears that unlesssomeone”—he emphasized the word, letting Gordon know he meant him—“convinces them otherwise, the Highlands will be set on fire.”

“If you are so certain of war, why are you giving us the sword?”

“Because I believeyouwill do the right thing,” Colster answered. “It has to be laid to rest sooner or later. That sword is an evil thing. Use it for good, Gordon. Create a new legend with it.” He walked to Constance. “Are you ready to go, lass?” he asked.

She looked to Gordon, panic in her eyes, and Colster took a step back in surprise. “You’ve fallen in love.” He made an exasperated sound. “Lachlan, have you no sense? Haddon and my brother want to rip your throat out over your kidnapping her. If they think you have touched her—”

“Itouched him,” Constance said proudly. “I love him. And I don’t care who knows.”

Colster glanced at the Scots and the English. “Keep your voice down,” he warned, “or you will see the three of us murdered.” On either side of the field, people strained to see and hear what was happening between the three of them.

Constance’s face tightened in defiance but she didn’t argue.

The duke looked to Gordon. “And what of you? Are you in love, too?”

“Yes,” Gordon answered, the word coming straight from his heart.

Colster swore. He pulled Gordon away so he could speak without Constance overhearing. “And now what?” he asked bitterly. “What do you have to offer her, man? Even if you rein this rebellion in, you are heading for the gallows. The girls at that school for young women came from families all over England. They wrote home about Constance’s kidnapping. My brother has enough influence to keep this story out of the papers but it is whispered everywhere. Constance will not find it easy in London. Her sisters are beside themselves with worry over how to protect her. Meanwhile, the government has declared you an outlaw andincreased the price on your head a hundredfold. You are a hunted man, Gordon.” He made an exasperated sound. “And you say you love her? How much, then? Do you love her enough to let her go?”

Gordon looked at Constance sitting on Tempest. She was so valuable to him.

She shook her head as if she had an inkling of what he was thinking. “What did the duke say?” she demanded, not caring whether her voice was overheard. “What has he told you?”

And it was then Gordon knew Colster was right.

Because she loved him, Constance would follow him to the end…and it would destroy her.

He loved her too much to let her make such a sacrifice.

On the Scots’ side of the field, Thomas had urged them to start calling for the sword. They shouted, “MacKenna,” a demand for the symbol of not only their clan’s pride, but also their heritage. A man didn’t walk away from that, not even for love.

Gordon knew his way was clear. There was only one choice he could make.

“Take the girl,” he said, and placing his hand on the sword hilt, pulled it from the ground.

The Scots cheered.

Sixteen

Take the girl.

Constance wasn’t certain she’d heard Gordon correctly. He couldn’t be talking about her.

It wasn’t until the duke swept her down from Tempest’s back that she realized she hadn’t been mistaken.

Gordon gathered Tempest’s reins and, without so much as a sideways glance at her, mounted and rode off, holding the Sword of the MacKenna high above his head. The Scots cheered.

Constance wanted to go after them, to grab him and demand an explanation.

Instead, she rounded on the duke, pushinghim away so he was forced to set her on her feet. “What did you say to him?”

Charlotte came running to her side. “Constance, are you all right?” she cried as she threw her arms around Constance’s shoulders.