The Thorn & the Thistle by Julie Moffett

Author:Julie Moffett
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-09-10T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Rolf stood by the open window, letting the cool wind refresh him by lifting the unbound hair from his shoulders. The light in the library was dim and soothing. A single lamp burned on his desk and the flickering glow of the fire sent shadows skittering across the leatherbound books in the tall bookshelves. Earlier he had studied the titles, impressed by Robert MacLeod’s taste in literature. He wondered again about the clever mind of the Black Wolf and how unfortunate it was that ruin had come to this brilliant man and his family.

As he thought of Megan, the muscles in Rolf’s jaw tightened and his fingers drummed on the windowsill. What an irony. He held his enemy’s most valuable possession in his hands, but found himself reluctant to use it to his advantage. Perhaps he was growing old or just weary of a challenge he had once relished.

The shuffle of footsteps in the corridor interrupted his thoughts. Crossing the room, he pulled open the door just as Peter was reaching for the latch. Megan stood behind him and Rolf ushered her in, motioning with a slight glance of his head that Peter was to wait outside. The older man nodded and took up a stand outside the door.

“Ye summoned me?” Megan asked as Rolf shut the door behind her.

“Yes. I want to speak with you.”

Concern flitted across her face, but she said nothing as Rolf guided her to a chair, indicating that she should sit. He did not join her, however, and began to walk across the chamber, his face drawn, his hands clasped behind his back.

“I’ve asked you here because it is time to inform your father that I am aware of your identity as his daughter. However, I also intend to give him my word that you will not be harmed.”

She pressed her lips together but said nothing.

“Therefore,” he continued, “I need to know whether there is someone else other than your father to whom I should direct my message.”

She glanced up at him in surprise. “Someone else?”

“Yes, a man...um, someone who can speak for you.”

“Speak for me? I don’t know what ye mean.”

Rolf raked his fingers through his hair. “Hell and damnation, woman. You aren’t making this easy for me. I’m trying to ask you whether you are unwed or with husband.”

Megan blinked, seemingly caught off guard by his question. “A husband? Why would such a thing be o’ importance to ye?”

Rolf stopped his pacing and stood in front of her. “Because if someone held my wife captive, I would be beside myself with concern. It’s my duty to reassure your husband, if he exists, as well as your father, that I have no intention of harming you.”

Megan searched his face, presumably to determine whether he was serious. Still she did not speak.

This conversation was not going as he had planned. “Are you going to answer me? Or do I order my men to seek out every church in the area and search their records? I will do it, if it becomes necessary.

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