Highland Barbarian Part 40

She turned at the door. Arching a brow she shot him a haughty look.

"I will speak to Mistress Snow about sending a Highland wench to see to your needs. There may be an old crone about the place who will not find you too offensive."

As she flounced from the room Brice lay back and gave in to a roar of laughter. The woman had fire. It was one of the many things he loved about her.

"Where are you off to?" Brice lay weakly against the cus.h.i.+ons and watched as Meredith drew a warm cape over her gown.

"I ride with Angus to view the repairs being done to the homes nearby."

He nodded, oddly pleased that Meredith would take such an interest in the fate of his people. When she left in a flurry of cloak and bonnet he lay back and closed his eyes, annoyed at the weakness that kept him from taking charge as he had always done.

Angus had told him about Meredith's many kindnesses to the Highlanders who had been made homeless by Gareth MacKenzie's invaders. While the men repaired the burned- out cottages, the women and children had been made comfortable in Kinloch House. Meredith had given Mistress Snow permission to use whatever was left in the burned- out storehouse to see that everyone was given enough food and clothing.

The refectory had become an open kitchen to all.

Brice lay back, listening to the sounds of activity. The forest rang with axes felling trees for new cottages. Below stairs was the bleat of a Newborn babe. In the courtyard the women called to one another as they hung their clothes to dry. The halls resounded with the barking of the hounds as they romped with the children who seemed to fill every room. The sound of their joyous laughter was everywhere.

Because of Meredith's kind concern, his people shared his home, his food, his supplies, until they could once again see to their own needs.

Meredith had taken this cold ancient castle and had filled it with love and laughter. She thought it a simple feat. He found it amazing.

Home. She had made his house a home.

Meredith's frequent forays into the forest were always a source of amazement to her. Every Highlander had a story about Brice Campbell.

And every one of them was eager to share the story with Meredith.

"When I lost my husband in battle," Mistress Snow said, riding along beside Meredith, "the attackers began burning our cottages. I hid, along with my babe, in the forest. And when the invaders had gone, I returned to the burned-out sh.e.l.l that had once been my home. That is where Brice Campbell found me. Sitting on a pile of rubble, rocking my babe in my arms."

"What did he do?" Meredith asked.

"He lifted me onto his horse and brought me to Kinloch House.

Everyone there was so kind. And when I was strong enough to take charge of my life once more, I realized that I would rather stay at Kinloch and see to the running of the castle than return to live alone in my cottage in the forest."

"But what of the babe?" Meredith could not recall seeing a child.

Mistress Snow's eyes misted.

"The babe had been dead for days before Brice came along and found us.

In my grief I could not bring myself to bury her. She was all I had left of my husband, and I knew that when I consigned her to the earth, I would be completely alone."

"Oh, Mistress Snow." Meredith caught the woman's hand and pressed it between her own.

"How you must have suffered."

"Aye. It was four years ago and the pain is with me still. But," the woman said softly,

"I have learned that life must be lived. And each day the pain diminishes a bit more. Because of my lord Campbell's kindness and patience, I know now that I can survive anything."

It also explained to Meredith why, despite the fact that Angus was attracted to the housekeeper, and she obviously returned his affection, they made no move yet to wed. Mistress Snow needed time.

And Angus, in his great love, understood her need.

Meredith stored Mistress Snow's story away in her heart. And when every family in the forest told of a similar experience at Brice's hand, she began to realize the depth of his goodness. She knew now why his people loved him so.

How strange, she thought, to discover so many mysteries about the man.

She had believed the myth about the Highland Barbarian. If she had not been forced to learn of him for herself, she would never have discovered the wonderful, flesh-and-blood man beneath the myths.

His goodness was one more reason why she loved him so. Leaving him would be heart wrenching. Knowing that, she no longer made secret plans to escape. For now, her prison had become a haven.

"What is that d.a.m.nable noise?"

Meredith looked up from the tunic she was mending.

Now that Brice's wounds were healing, he was beginning to show signs of resisting his confinement.

For days she had ordered Mistress Snow to prepare his favorite foods.

She had encouraged Angus and the other men to visit Brice's chambers frequently, in order to pa.s.s the hours of inactivity. Jamie, too, spent long hours with his hero, reading from the precious books in Brice's library, telling and retelling the tales of heroics of Brice's men during the attack by the MacKenzies.

In time those same stories would be woven into the fabric of which legends were made.

But Angus and the others, having repaired the nearby cottages, were engaged in rebuilding the castle. They had little time to spend amusing their leader. And though Mistress Snow had the servants working overtime, Brice showed little interest in the special food they prepared for him.

"Your men are replacing the beams in the great room that were destroyed by fire."

"How can I be expected to rest with that pounding?"

"They are doing this for you." She bit through the thread and set aside his tunic.

"They plan to have Kinloch House restored by the time the laird of the manor is up and about once more. They wanted to spare you the sight of all the destruction."

With a sigh he squirmed about his pallet.

"I have remained idle long enough. The men need my direction."

"The men are doing fine under Angus's leaders.h.i.+p."

She had no idea that her words only inflamed him further.

"Inform Mistress Snow that I wish to sleep in my own bed tonight, and not this miserable lump on the floor."

Meredith stood, obviously stung by his sharp words.

"I will inform her immediately."

As she pa.s.sed him, Brice caught her hand. She looked down at him and saw his look of remorse.

"Forgive me, Meredith. I have never before been a man who complained about discomfort." He sighed and ran a thumb across her wrist.