Free Circle of Honor by Carol Umberger Page B

finish. But you must promise to calm yourself.”
    â€œCalm myself.” Angus yanked at the bedcovers. “Fine. I’m calm.”
    Adam knew better than to believe it and felt himself cringe even as he said, “I returned with a handfast wife.”
    The old man’s face flushed scarlet. Through gritted teeth he said, “And just how did ye manage that?”
    Adam jumped to his feet. “You’ll have mother in here clucking at you if you don’t quiet down.” He stalked to the table and poured his father a dram of whiskey in hopes of calming him. He returned and gave the goblet to his father. “Here.”
    Angus took the drink and quaffed it in one swallow. “Thanks to ye.” He leaned back against his pillows and motioned Adam closer. His color returned to normal, much to Adam’s relief.
    â€œI doubt if Nathara would approve of the whiskey,” Adam said as he sat down, “or my method of breaking news.”
    Waving the thought away, Angus replied, “She means well, but I don’t have time to be coddled, Adam. I want to leave with my affairs in order, and I can’t do that if ye hide things from me.”
    Adam nodded. “I’ll tell you the rest now, but another outburst, and I’m done.”

    â€œAye. Speak yer piece.”
    He pulled his stool even closer to the bed and told of his trial and subsequent punishment, carefully observing his father all the while.
    However, Angus listened without interruption until Adam finished. “Well, I wanted to see ye marrit before I die, but I thought to have ye choose. Does she suit ye?”
    â€œShe’s a servant.”
    â€œShe isna comely, then?”
    Adam smiled as he envisioned Gwenyth as she had defied Leod. Bruised and battered, still the fire in her eyes had given him a glimpse of the woman hidden beneath the pain, the woman she might become again when time had healed her.
    He collected his thoughts and answered, “Nay, her appearance is not the problem. ’Tis her name that troubles me.”
    His father gave a quizzical look. “What’s wrong with her name?”
    â€œShe is Gwenyth of Buchan, a lady’s maid and no doubt loyal to Balliol.”
    â€œYe haven’t asked her?”
    â€œDa, we haven’t had time to discuss politics.”
    Adam observed his father for signs his anger was returning, but Angus only stared at his son. Thinking he’d said quite enough, Adam waited for his father to resume the conversation.
    â€œYer handfast, you say?”
    â€œAye.”
    â€œYe were smart not to take the binding vows, Adam.” Angus paused, and a grin lit his features. “Still, we canna fault her wisdom in saving yer life, now can we?”
    â€œNay, I’d say not.” He captured his father’s gaze before going on. “But there’s still the matter of her accusing me of rape.”
    Angus sobered. “I can understand yer anger at being falsely accused.”
    â€œ ’Tis hard to stay angry under the circumstances. I’ve given her my protection and promised to help her reach England. That much I owe, and nothing more.”
    â€œAye, the sooner ’tis done, the better, although I doubt that anyone who knows ye believes for a minute ye would force a lass.”
    Reluctantly, Adam nodded. “Aye, the lasses are most willing to marry the laird’s son, even when he has only one working arm.”
    â€œYer charms as a man and laird go beyond physical strength, Adam.”
    So, they were back to this argument again. “And that isn’t the most important thing?” Adam wished he could believe his father’s words. “The clan will follow the strongest man.”
    â€œNay, Adam, they will follow the man who will fight as hard in battle as he will fight to lead them safely in times of peace. Leod isna that kind of leader, boy. The only ones who stand for him now are those as greedy and power