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“Nothing, to me. One of them said ‘is that her,’ or something of the sort, to the man next to him.”
Robbie nodded. “I see. And then what?”
“It was all very quick. I felt nervous. Apprehensive. They were scowling at me…” She shuddered at the recollection, the intense wave of hostility she had encountered. “I stepped back onto the path to continue on my way. Before I had taken so much as one step, I was grabbed from behind and flung into the water.”
“There wasnae anyone else about? No one but the three wi’ the cart an’ firewood?”
She shook her head. “No. Just them.”
“Anything else? Could ye say what age they were? How tall? Slim or stocky?”
“They wore hoods, and I only saw them for a moment. The one closest to me, the one who spoke, he looked to be about thirty years old. Not as tall as you, or Stephen, and wiry, I would say. I cannot recall anything of the others, though they were all about the same height and build.”
The details appeared to be sufficient to satisfy Robbie’s questions, at least for now. He completed his task of washing her hair before speaking again.
“Why were ye there at all, Kat? Outside, on the lane?”
“I had decided to join you at the crypt after all. I hoped to catch you before you left there.”
“D’ye recall what I said tae ye yesterday? About remaining within the walls of the keep?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“Then, why did ye not obey me, Kat?”
“Obey you?” She twisted her neck to regard him over her shoulder. “What do you mean?”
“I distinctly recall instructing ye not tae venture out unaccompanied for fear that ye might meet wi’ some…unpleasantness. Not all here are reconciled to the new alliance between our families. Ye knew that, yet still, ye went out alone an’ unprotected.”
Katherine was genuinely at a loss. “I never… I mean, I do remember we spoke of it, but…”
“But what?” His voice was soft, but she could not mistake the sliver of steel beneath the words. “What happened was exactly the sort o’ thing I feared. ‘Tis my responsibility tae protect ye. Your safety is my most pressing concern, but I cannot guarantee it if ye dinnae obey my simplest instructions.”
“I never realised you meant…”
His tone hardened. “Remain within the keep an’ the bailey. Is any part of that unclear?”
“No, but—”
“Good. I am relieved that we do, apparently, understand one another after all. Now, tell me, are ye injured in any way from your ordeal? Apart from the shock, naturally.”
She shook her head. “I was cold, and terrified, of course. And I swallowed a lot of water. But I am fine, I think. Or I shall be. Thanks to you.”
“It is indeed fortunate that we happened tae be returnin’ just at that moment, an’ that ye were wearing a bright-red gown which was easy tae spot in the water. Had it been misty, or dark…” His voice trailed off. Neither of them required that sentence to be finished.
“I owe you my life,” she said.
His mossy gaze hardened. “Your life is mine to protect. What ye owe me is obedience. Tomorrow morning, after ye have enjoyed a good night’s sleep an’ I am satisfied that ye are properly recovered from this ordeal, we shall attend tae that matter.”
Katherine was at a loss. “What do you mean? Attend to what matter?”
“Ye need to learn that disobedience will attract punishment. ’Tis necessary, for your safety, an’ I will not compromise on that. I had not wished tae be obliged to punish ye quite so soon in our relationship, but I am no’ a man tae shirk his duty.”
“Punish me? Are you mad? You cannot—”
“I can, an’ I shall.”
“Stephen would never permit it. He will—”
