A Warrior's Promise Read Free Page B

went without protest?”
    â€œYes, he did, and all because of me,” she said angrily.
    â€œYes, he did it because of you,” Bryce agreed, “but not to protect. Think, Charles. Your da is a man of reason. And therefore he knew that if you were not captured, you would make every effort to rescue him, as well you should. I would do the same for my da.”
    This was good. To him she was a lad honor-bound to family. Yes, her masquerade would serve her well though her heart broke recalling how her father had, in the most authoritative voice he could muster, ordered her to seek safety with a strong clan and not worry about him. How could he think she would desert him? They had argued briefly, for there was no time to debate the matter, and before they parted, she had sworn to him that she would not let him suffer at the king’s hands. She would follow and free him.
    â€œThen you will help me rescue him?”
    â€œI would be honored to help you and offer you and your da a home with my clan for as long as you like.”
    â€œThank you,” Charlotte said, choking back tears that wanted desperately to break free. And those tears weren’t only because she was grateful for the help, but also the offer of a home. While she had enjoyed the many adventures she and her father had had, of late she had been longing for a more permanent dwelling.
    â€œDo you know where he was taken?” Bryce asked.
    She shook her head. “I followed but couldn’t keep up with the horses.”
    She couldn’t tell him the truth, that when the soldiers had disappeared from view, she had returned to the cottage. Quickly, she had shed her garments and slipped into her da’s. She had taken a knife to her long hair, chopping at it until she felt she resembled a lad, gathered a sack of food, and was soon following the horses’ trail. Her father had taught her to track, and she had been glad she had learned well the task.
    â€œHow far did you follow?”
    There was no reason to tell him that the troop had divided along the trail. And she, not having known which path her da was on, had chosen one to follow that had proven to be the wrong one. So she told him the point where the path divided.
    â€œIt was near Loch Lochy, and I’ve had no luck in finding out anything about him since.”
    Bryce stood. “We have much to do. We must find out where your da is being kept and follow the leads I have discovered about the spy.”
    Charlotte scrambled to her feet. “Being small and thin, I can slip in and around places most cannot. I hear and see things while not being heard or noticed.”
    Bryce chuckled. “Good, for I cannot.”
    â€œYou are a big one,” she said with a smile, recalling the glance she got of him while holding on for dear life to his leg.
    Bryce placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “Size does not matter.”
    Charlotte warned herself to hold her tongue, but she supposed she was too much like her father—curious. So she asked, “Then large bosoms don’t matter?”
    Bryce grinned. “Large bosoms matter, lad, they definitely matter.”
    It was good to know the warrior preferred large-breasted women. Her bosoms were barely a handful. It had taken only one strip of cloth to bind them. She had no worry that even if he discovered her secret, he would find her appealing.
    She was glad she had gotten a look at his privates. He was much too large, and she too small for them to fit. She didn’t know why she even gave it a thought. There were more important things to consider.
    Charlotte hurried along behind him, which didn’t help, the image of what lay beneath his plaid much too vivid in her mind.

Chapter
3
    T hey had
walked in relative silence for almost three hours. Charlotte could tell by
Bryce’s drawn brow and few remarks that he was deep in thought. So she felt it
wise not to disturb him even though she was anxious to inquire