Free Samantha James by His Wicked Promise Page A

she ventured into the bailey the next morning. He stood just outside the stables talking to Milburn, who was mounted atop a gray gelding. Glenda could see that he was much more alert than he’d been yesterday when they arrived.
    There were several large pouches looped across his saddle. She couldn’t help but remember last eve, when she’d told Egan she would have food readied for his journey…but it appeared as if Milburn was the one prepared for a journey, not Egan…
    Even as she watched, Egan said something to Milburn. Milburn squared his shoulders; his chest seemed to puff out. He gave a nod, wheeled the gelding, and galloped across the bailey toward the gate.
    A frown pleated her brow. With a whirl of dust in his wake, he disappeared beneath the shadows of the gatehouse. Where was he going, she wondered, and what was it that he and Egan had been discussing so earnestly?
    Her gaze slid back to Egan. If she could haveturned and scurried back into the keep, she would have, for he had seen her and was striding toward her. Glenda remained where she was. All at once her pulse was suddenly thudding.
    “Good morning to you, Glenda.” His greeting was calm, his gaze unerringly direct.
    She found it rather irksome that he appeared so well rested and at ease. She, on the other hand, had hardy slept a wink. Her mind was amuddle…and all because of him!
    Her fingers curled into her palms. Somewhere she found the courage to meet and match his ease of manner. “Good morning to you, Egan.” She tipped her head toward the gatehouse. “That was Milburn, wasn’t it?”
    “It was.”
    “Ah. And where is he off to?”
    “To Dunthorpe.”
    “To Dunthorpe!” Glenda’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Whatever for?”
    “To deliver a message.”
    “And may I be privy to this message?”
    Her arch tone was not lost on him. He inclined his head, his features cool. “Indeed you may. I’ve informed Cameron that I intend to remain here at Blackstone indefinitely.”
    Glenda’s temper began to simmer. “I thought we settled this last eve, Egan.”
    “We did not.”
    She glared at him. “Your behavior is most audacious.”
    “No doubt it is”—he startled her with his agreement—“but I have good reason. I would not leaveany woman here under these circumstances.”
    “I meant what I said last night. There is no need for you to remain.”
    “Is it pride, or stubbornness, which lies behind your refusal? A little of both, methinks. And something else, too, I vow.” His regard was steady. “Why are you so afraid of me, Glenda?”
    “I am not!” Yet her heart began to thud almost wildly in her chest. It wasn’t him, she told herself. It was her . The way he made her feel, so out of control, so unlike herself.
    “Then why are you so set against it? So set against me? Is it because of last night?” A brow arched high. A smile curled his lips, a smile she suspected was rooted in lazy amusement. “Need I remind you that nothing happened?”
    Glenda felt her entire body go hot, and it was not from the warmth of the spring sun beating down. “Of a certainty it didn’t,” she snapped, “so do not make sport of me, Egan MacBain. My father is gone. My uncle is gone. These are my people now, and I must set things to right here.”
    His smile was no more. “As well you should,” he said almost grimly. “Still, there are some things which cannot be done alone. I pray you will not let your emotion sway your good judgment.”
    “You seem convinced I have no good judgment!”
    “If I gave you that impression, I am heartily sorry, for in truth I do not know any woman more capable than you. Yet if someone is driving your people from their homes—burning them out—you cannot ignore it. I cannot ignore it. What of the castle’s defense? What if someone should attack the keep itself? Yourmen-at-arms I can count on the fingers of one hand. And if it’s true that Simon Ruthven is a lawless man, then it may well take a lawless