Free A Promise Given by Samantha James Page B

heavy on her heart. "You don 't
understand," she said dully. "It's my fault she's dead. It's my fault Margaret
is dead!"
    "No, Sabrina. She fell in the loch and drowned. It was no one's fault. It was
an accident."
    All at once she felt as if she were flying apart inside. Her breath came
jerkily. "He knows what we did, Ian. He knows."
    Ian's gaze sharpened. "Who? Your father?"
    She shook her head. Her arms came around herself, as if she were chilled to
the bone. "Nay," she said faintly. "God. God knows that you… that we…"
    He gave an impatient gesture. “We did nothing! It was a kiss, no more."
    "It was wrong," she whispered. She began to shake from head to toe. "He took
Margaret to—to punish me. Would that He had taken me now, but He means for me to
suffer through all eternity. He will see that I pay for all the evil things I've
done."
    Ian swore beneath his breath. "Sabrina! You are not evil!"
    "Papa said I was. Dear God, he still thinks I am! I remember… many a time did
he accuse me of being the devil's arm."
    "Sabrina, he did not mean it—"
    "He did!" she cried. Her eyes were half wild. "And now… I see the way he
looks at me—he wishes I had died instead of Margaret. And… God help me"—her
voice broke—"I cannot help but be glad that I yet live." Tears stung her eyes,
but she forced herself to go on. "So you see, I am evil. And Margaret died
because of my sin. I- I do not blame you, Ian. It’s the wickedness in me. I know
that you could not help yourself—"
    His hands came down on her shoulders. Strong fingers curled around her arms.
He shook her until her head fell back and she looked at him, dazed.
    Roughly he said, "I kissed you because I wanted it. It’s God's truth,
Sabrina.
I kissed you because I wanted it.”
    At his declaration, the tears that burned the back of her throat broke loose.
Her mouth trembled as she fought to hold them back, but it was no use. A deep,
jagged sob escaped, and then another.
    Ian could stand it no longer.
    Her tears were his undoing. Slowly, his arms crept around her, bringing her
close. She turned her face into his neck and wept. Sensing she needed to purge
her grief, Ian held her until at last her tears were bled dry. She lay against
his chest, limp and drained. In one swift, decisive move, he gathered her in his
arms and rose to his feet; that she made no protest as he strode back to the
keep was but a sign of how shaken she was.
    He paid no heed to the shocked glances that came his way. Just outside
Sabrina's chamber, he encountered Edna. The little maid's chin dropped.
    "Your mistress is overcome," he said. "Tell me quick. Do you know a sleeping
potion?"
    Edna's eyes were all agog, but her head bobbed eagerly up and down. "Cook
does," she said quickly. "I'll fetch it for ye."
    "That's a good lass." He nodded toward the door. Edna obliged him by opening
it, then hurried on her way. Ian smiled dryly as he shouldered the door closed a
moment later. If only all women were blessed with the little maid's
intuition.
    He crossed the floor and lowered her to the bed. She drew her knees to her
chest and curled away from him and into herself, her eyes squeezed shut. Ian
stood over her, his hands flexing and un-flexing. Did she know he was still
here? If so, he was surprised she did not demand he leave.
    Edna returned shortly, a small cup in her hands. Tiny plumes of steam wafted
into the air. "Here, my lord. This should help her sleep. Have her drink all of
it."
    Ian took it, sniffing gingerly. The brew carried a strange scent he did not
recognize, yet it was not unpleasant.
    "Sabrina." He spoke her name. The mattress gave beneath his weight as he
sat.
    Her eyes flicked open. She glanced across her shoulder. He held out the
cup.
    "This will help you sleep." His tone was quiet but insistent. "All of it,
Sabrina."
    Her eyes blazed fire for an instant, and he thought she would argue. Instead
she turned back to him and extended a hand. She