The Viper by Monica McCarty

Author:Monica McCarty
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Highland
Publisher: 0
Published: 2011-10-18T07:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Bella couldn't keep still. Anxiousness was eating away at her. Was Joan still in the castle? Was she all right? Would Lachlan be able to find her? What if he were caught?

As if the castle could answer her questions, she kept vigilant watch over the mighty stronghold after Lachlan left. If only they were a little closer. From her place on the hill, she could make out forms but not faces.

The side of the hill blocked the view to the village, so she had to wait for Lachlan to approach the gate. Even in the sea of leather war coats and brown wool cloaks, she was sure she would recognize him.

After over an hour passed and he still hadn't appeared, however, she began to wonder whether she'd missed him.

Or maybe ...

No, he wouldn't lie to her again. Not about this. He would at least try.

Wouldn't he? But what if he'd agreed to come not to help her, but to help Mary?

Seeing all those guards at the gate reminded her of the danger. She shouldn't have asked him to take such a risk. But how could she not, when he was the only way to reach her daughter?

Good God, she was so anxious, she couldn't think straight.

Her gaze darted frantically to the courtyard, where the large traveling party appeared to have reached its final preparations.

Where was he? What if Joan was among the party?

She was being ridiculous. Lachlan was right. She could be anywhere. Besides, Bella hadn't seen anyone in the traveling party who looked familiar. Nor did she recognize the arms of the knights.

Her gaze swept over the crowd coming to a sudden halt. A group of finely gowned women appeared in the courtyard.

She stilled, feeling a strange tingle of awareness buzz down her spine. One of the ladies wore a dress of deep scarlet with a matching veil.

Bella gasped, her heart coming to a stunned stop. Her insides drained in a pool at her feet. She staggered, reaching for a nearby tree to steady her. Her legs had turned to jelly.

Red was Joan's favorite color. It had been since her father remarked how well it looked on her as a young girl. With her dark hair, fair skin, and crimson lips, the bold color emphasized her daughter's dramatic coloring.

It was Joan. She knew it was Joan.

And she was leaving.

Joan mounted her horse and started to follow the long procession out the gate. A bolt of panic shot through Bella.

She couldn't just let her daughter go without seeing her. Her feet started moving of their own accord. All she could think was that she had to get closer. Just one look ...

Following the path that Lachlan had taken, she shot through the trees. A moment later she heard someone hard on her heels.

Sir Alex grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop. They were alone, as Boyd had taken the watch. "Where the hell do you think you are going?" The young knight's face clouded with embarrassment, realizing what he'd said, he amended, "my lady.

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