Page 7 of Warrior’s Lady

Orrin opened his eyes, feeling more in command of his emotions. "Where is her body? May I at least take charge of her burial in Camden's stead?"

"No need, Orrin. I will take charge from here on out." Camden's steely voice broke into the conversation. Orrin turned to his friend, thankful that he'd returned from Glasgow to join his men. The bishop would not deny Clara's body to the new Lord Lockhart. Camden brought his horse to a stop at the bishop's feet. The bishop took a quick step back and frowned at the horse as it sniffed at the gold edging of his sleeves.

Camden's gaze, glittering with intense anger, penetrated the bishop's. "Where is Lady Lockhart's body?" His tone was as hard as his gaze. Even so, Orrin could see through the hardened exterior to the pain beneath.

Camden had lost his brother, his sister-in-law, and quite possibly his niece in the span of two days. And the strain of it showed. He sat his horse with confidence, but the flesh of his cheeks pulled taut over his high cheekbones, and the pain and sorrow mixed in his ice-blue eyes.

The bishop flinched. "I've left her mortal remains in the great hall. The servants laid her out. She'll receive no Christian burial from me."

"Then why are you here?" Camden demanded.

The bishop straightened. "I've come for the child, and for the Charm Stone. Both belong to me now."

"Lady Violet is still a Lockhart. And as I'm the leader of the clan now, that brings her under my care." Camden dismounted, then strode forward, stopping a hairsbreadth from the bishop's face. "And as for the Stone, it belongs to no one, least of all you. If I knew where it was, I'd make certain it never fell into your hands."

"Well—"

Camden moved forward, forcing the bishop back another step. "These grounds are also mine now that James and Clara have both been murdered." Camden let the emphasis fall on the last word, carefully observing the bishop's reaction.

The man paled.

Camden's face hardened. "Get out. Immediately."

"You'll regret this Lockhart," the bishop said, the color in his face shifting from pale to mottled red.

Camden drew the sword that had been used to kill his brother, and kept walking forward, maneuvering the bishop back to his horse that stood nearby.

At the sight of the sword, the bishop turned and fled. He barked orders at his man and a moment later, the horses lurched forward, heading for the gate. "You'll regret this Lockhart," the bishop's words hung in the air as they disappeared from sight.

"No more than the loss of my kin," Camden said in a tone so soft only Orrin could hear.

"Your orders, my lord?" Orrin asked, knowing that his friend would prefer action to ruminating over what had just transpired. There would be time for thought later.

Sincere gratitude reflected in Camden's eyes. He sheathed the sword at his back. "Gather Lady Lockhart's body. I want to take her back to Lee Castle with us. She deserves an eternal rest at her husband's side. And I will speak to the staff. Someone must know what has happened to my niece."

Orrin watched Camden's body tense as it did so often before they charged into battle side-by-side. If anyone could find Lady Violet, Camden would.

But was the girl dead or alive?