Page 85 of Warrior’s Lady

She nodded. "I will miss it because you gave it to me, but I understand."

Rhiannon moved to the wardrobe to retrieve the green gown Mistress Faulkner had made for her. She quickly dressed, watching in fascination as he laid his tartan on the floor, folding it with quick precise movements before he lay upon it, belting the fabric around his waist, then stood.

Her gaze lingered on his well-muscled body appreciatively. "Suddenly I find the idea of marrying you on the morrow very appealing. Shall we?" She motioned for the door.

On his deep-throated chuckle, they headed out of her chamber and to the great hall. Once there, Rhiannon's mood immediately sobered as her gaze fell upon the rows of shrouded bodies lining the wall. A raw and primitive grief overwhelmed her. She released an anguished sob.

Camden came to stand behind her, pulling her back against his chest. "So many lost." He shook his head.

"For a moment upstairs, I had almost forgotten."

He kissed the top of her head before moving away to join Orrin who crouched beside the bodies.

"Twenty-two are dead." Orrin stood, his gaze anguished. "In a matter of hours…"

"How many were spared because of the Charm Stone? We have to focus on that."

Orrin nodded. "The men rounded up several people in the surrounding hillsides and brought them back here to be treated. I am fairly certain we have contained the illness."

Camden clapped Orrin on the back as he shifted his gaze to Rhiannon. "That's good news."

"'Tis about time something uplifting came to this castle," Orrin stated, his tone relieved.

"Then you should also know that Rhiannon has agreed to marry me." The smile in his eyes when he looked back to Rhiannon contained a sensuous flame that brought heat to her cheeks.

A slow smile lit Orrin's weary face. "It's about time the two of you stopped fighting and realized you were meant for each other. When?"

Camden's expression sobered. "We have much to do here to set things to right. I will need everyone who is able to help build a funeral pyre for the twenty-two who have died. We must show them our respect before continuing on with our lives."

Orrin nodded his agreement. "Rhys has already built a pyre on the hillside to the west of the castle."

Camden nodded. "Very well, then." He turned back to Rhiannon. "Will you see to Lady Violet? The last I saw her, she was in the kitchen with Mistress Faulkner."

"Mistress Faulkner lives?" Relieved tears came to her eyes. She quickly turned away and headed out the door of the keep and to the kitchen building beyond.

As Camden watched her go, his emotions shifted from elation to dread. "Do I tell her, Orrin?"

Orrin's gaze snapped back to Camden's. "Tell her what?"

"That I set out to have her murdered? That I was responsible for her nearly burning at the stake? That I am the one who may have killed her brothers?"

A deep frown cut across Orrin's face. "For centuries marriages have been founded on lies."

"I made a vow that I would never lie to her," Camden replied in a low, tormented voice.

"Only you and I and the assassin know the truth. The assassin is dead by your own hand. And I vow never to tell anyone." Orrin shook his head. "Your secret is safe."

Camden knew he could trust Orrin. What his friend had done with the Stone had been out of a desire to help, not maliciousness.

There was no way for her to find out about what he had done. And even so, a deep feeling of unease rippled through him. Could he live the rest of his life, knowing that he had deliberately withheld that information? Should he tell her and risk losing her?

He had one day to decide. Before they married, he would have to reconcile his deeds in his own heart.

The bishop opened his eyes to see the faces of seven men hovering over him. Had he died? Was this his last reckoning before his fate was decided? He stared up into each face, praying as he did that they could see only the goodness in his heart, and not the villainy that had taken root inside him since he'd been passed over for recognition by Robert the Bruce.

"He's awake," a voice from above said softly.

"Why doesn't he speak? Is he damaged in some way?" another voice asked.