HER HUSBAND TURNED guarded eyes her

HER HUSBAND TURNED guarded eyes her way, confusion and anger at war upon his features. “You’d best tell me all you know of this as well, Fiona. I’ll not be duped by you again.”
His voice was calm, too calm, for she could see the muscle twitching in his jaw. The thinly veiled rage he’d shown the wounded man could just as easily be turned on her. Still, he seemed willing to hear her speak, though she’d given him no reason to trust her.
Her limbs quelled. “The man is no Sinclair. I swear, I know him not.”
“Then why did he say he was?”
“He knew my name, nothing more. And he called me a whore. No Sinclair would besmirch my honor in such a manner.” God save her, she had enemies from every angle. “Ask him another question, Myles. Something only a true Sinclair would know.”
The man rolled to the side and spit blood upon the ground as Myles stared at her, hard and unrelenting.
The sky went white before her at her husband’s silence, but she would not be cowed. She cast her gaze to the dying man and nudged him with her own foot. “Tell me, you wicked liar, in which ear is my brother Simon deaf? That should be easy enough to answer.”
She looked back to Myles, who glanced from her to Tavish to the enemy on the ground.
After a moment, Myles pressed his sword tip into the man’s leg. “Answer the question.”
The man flinched and cried out, “The left!”
Thank God. “Wrong. My brother Simon isn’t deaf at all. ’Tis John who’s hard of hearing.”
“The light is waning, Myles,” Tavish interrupted. “And the longer we delay, the better chance they have of coming for us still. Let me fling this piece of shite on a saddle and we can question him as we ride.”
Fiona scanned the woods at Tavish’s words, and her belly twisted tight. Whoever these marauders were, they’d likely show her the same mercy they’d shown Bess. And for the first time, she found herself wanting to stay very close to her husband’s side, in spite of the mistrustful way he glared at her now. She could see he knew not what to make of the man’s accusations. And in truth, neither did she. Without doubt, none of those men lying dead on the ground were hers. She’d never seen any of them before. But why the man had said she was his lady, she could not fathom.
Myles nodded. “You’re right, Tavish. Finish readying the horses. Benson, see that the cart with my father is ready to go.” Then his eyes met Fiona’s, full of doubt.
“Darby!” he called after moment’s hesitation, and the squire appeared as if from nowhere.
“Yes, sir.”
Myles sighed, and she saw resignation claim him. “Bind the lady’s hands and help her to a horse. But keep the reins to yourself. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And when we ride, stay close to me or Tavish.”
Darby nodded, solemn as a bishop, but his cheeks blushed apple red as he held his hands out to take Fiona’s.
“Why am I to be bound again? If we are attacked, I’ll not be able to defend myself.”
Myles stared another moment, as if weighing the choices before him. “Then that shall be your misfortune.” He turned and strode toward the cart to check on his father, while unease lodged deep within Fiona’s chest.
’Twas not her fault they’d been attacked. And these were not her men. No Sinclair would insult her, nor would they have harmed her dear Bess. These evil deeds were the work of some other force.
She watched her husband climb into the cart to adjust the earl’s covering, and a great sadness enveloped her once more. She should not care if the old Campbell died. ’Twas just as he deserved. His suffering should be her joy, but gladness was long absent. Death lingered at this scene, its cold finger pointing this way and that, claiming too many souls today. And at Demspey Castle, half a dozen women would learn their men were never coming home. They were her enemy, true enough, and though she should be glad, she was not.
They loaded up a short while later, after the Campbell dead had been hastily blessed and buried, Bess along with them. They’d left the other corpses in the road for their enemies to come and claim.
They traveled as fast as the muddy roads would allow, eating what little food they had while staying in the saddle. Fiona was hungry and tired and sore. But little did that physical discomfort compare to the heaviness of her heart. She could feel it breaking, bit by tiny bit, with each jarring step of her horse. She left a trail of broken shards along this path and knew, if she made it all the way to Dempsey, she’d have nothing left in her chest save an empty void.
Darkness was full upon them when they reached Inverness. Reining in next to a building loud with revelry and glowing with light, Myles called instructions to his men.
“Tavish, see to getting us rooms. Benson, find a physician and bring him here. Nigel, choose a man and go arrange for the boats. We must set sail at first light. But, men”—he lowered his voice—“use caution. If our enemies are near, it won’t do to have them realize we are here.”
Tavish nodded. “Wise thinking.”
The men went on about their business, and Fiona fought to keep her seat in the saddle. Overwhelmed by fatigue and sadness, it seemed she’d lived a lifetime since her wedding just two days ago. She was beyond caring what came next, or so she thought until Myles dismounted and walked her way. She realized she did indeed have room for a little fear. His expression was darker than the sky above.
“Get down.”
She struggled off the horse’s back, for her hands were still bound, and her legs buckled as she touched the ground. Her husband caught her with one arm to keep her from collapsing fully onto the cobbled street, but there was no tender care in his touch. Instead, he pulled her to the side of the road, setting her upon an overturned cask pushed up against a wall of the building.
“Stay.”
Her eyes closed of their own volition. “Wherever would I go?” When she opened them moments later, Myles was gone and Darby stood before her, weapon drawn and at the ready in his slender, trembling hand.
“My lord Myles said I should see that you stay put.”
She smiled at the bran-faced boy. “How old are you, Darby?”
“Eleven. But I’ll be twelve soon enough.” He lifted his chin as if to add to his height.
“Will you stab me if I move?” she asked.
He straightened his narrow shoulders. “Best not tempt me to find out.”
She closed her eyes again with a resigned smile. “Ah, another scrappy Campbell. Even the little ones are mean.”

Hasil (Bahasa Indonesia) 2:

SUAMI DIA MENJADI mata dijaga perjalanan, kebingungan dan kemarahan berperang pada wajahnya. "Anda terbaik akan ceritakan semua yang Anda tahu ini juga, Fiona. Saya akan tidak ditipu oleh Anda lagi.
"Suaranya tenang, terlalu tenang, karena ia bisa melihat otot berkedut di rahangnya. Kemarahan terselubung ia ditampilkan orang terluka bisa dengan mudah berubah pada dirinya. Namun, ia tampaknya bersedia untuk mendengar dia berbicara, meskipun ia telah memberinya alasan untuk percaya padanya.
Tubuhnya dipadamkan. "Pria itu tidak Sinclair. Aku bersumpah, aku tahu dia tidak.
"" Lalu kenapa dia mengatakan bahwa dia?
"" Dia tahu nama saya, tidak lebih. Dan dia menelepon saya pelacur. Tidak ada Sinclair akan menodai kehormatan saya sedemikian rupa. "Allah menyelamatkannya, ia memiliki musuh dari setiap sudut. "Tanyakan padanya pertanyaan lain, Myles. Sesuatu hanya Sinclair benar akan tahu.
"Pria itu berguling ke samping dan meludah darah di tanah sebagai Myles menatapnya, keras dan tak henti-hentinya.
Langit pergi putih sebelum dia di diam suaminya, tapi dia tidak akan takut. Dia melemparkan pandangannya ke orang yang sekarat dan menyentuh orang itu dengan kakinya sendiri. "Katakan, Anda jahat pembohong, di mana telinga kakakku Simon tuli? Itu harus cukup mudah untuk menjawab.
"Dia tampak kembali ke Myles, yang melirik darinya untuk Tavish ke musuh di tanah.
Setelah beberapa saat, Myles ditekan ujung pedangnya ke kaki pria itu. "Jawaban pertanyaan itu."
Pria itu tersentak dan berseru, "kiri The!"
Terima kasih Tuhan. "Salah. Adikku Simon tidak tuli sama sekali. 'Tis John yang sulit pendengaran.
"" Cahaya berkurang, Myles, "sela Tavish. "Dan semakin lama kita menunda, semakin baik kesempatan yang mereka miliki datang bagi kita masih. Mari saya melemparkan sepotong shite pada pelana dan kita dapat mempertanyakan dia sebagai kita naik.
"Fiona dipindai hutan di kata-kata Tavish ini, dan perutnya memutar ketat. Siapa pun perampok ini adalah, mereka mungkin akan menunjukkan padanya rahmat yang sama mereka telah ditampilkan Bess. Dan untuk pertama kalinya, dia menemukan dirinya ingin tinggal sangat dekat dengan sisi suaminya, meskipun cara curiga dia melotot padanya sekarang. Dia bisa melihat ia tahu tidak apa yang membuat tuduhan pria itu. Dan dalam kebenaran, begitu pula dia. Tanpa ragu, tak satu pun dari orang-orang tergeletak mati di tanah itu miliknya. Dia belum pernah melihat salah satu dari mereka sebelumnya. Tapi mengapa pria itu mengatakan dia wanita, dia tidak bisa membayangkan.
Myles mengangguk. "Kau benar, Tavish. Selesai menyiapkan kuda-kuda. Benson, melihat bahwa keranjang dengan ayah saya siap untuk pergi. "Lalu matanya bertemu Fiona, penuh
keraguan." Darby! "Serunya setelah ragu-ragu sejenak, dan pengawal muncul entah dari
mana." Ya, Pak. "
Myles mendesah, dan dia melihat pengunduran diri mengklaim dirinya. "Bind tangan wanita dan membantunya untuk kuda. Namun perlu kendali untuk diri sendiri. Mengerti?
"" Ya, Pak.
"" Dan ketika kita naik, tetap dekat dengan saya atau Tavish.
"Darby mengangguk, serius sebagai uskup, tetapi pipinya merona apel merah saat ia memegang tangannya untuk mengambil
Fiona." Kenapa Saya untuk terikat lagi? Jika kami diserang, saya tidak akan bisa membela diri.
"Myles menatap saat lain, seakan menimbang pilihan depannya. "Kemudian yang akan menjadi kemalangan Anda." Dia berbalik dan berjalan menuju gerobak untuk memeriksa ayahnya, sementara kegelisahan diajukan jauh di dalam dada Fiona.
"Sungguh bukan salahnya mereka telah diserang. Dan ini bukan laki-laki nya. Tidak ada Sinclair akan menghina dirinya, atau akan mereka telah dirugikan sayang Bess nya. Perbuatan jahat ini adalah karya dari beberapa kekuatan lain.
Dia menyaksikan suaminya naik ke gerobak untuk menyesuaikan meliputi para earl, dan sedih menyelimuti sekali lagi. Dia seharusnya tidak peduli jika Campbell tua meninggal. 'Sungguh seperti dia layak. Penderitaannya harus sukacita, tapi sukacita panjang absen. Kematian berlama-lama di tempat kejadian ini, jari dingin yang menunjuk jalan ini dan itu, mengklaim terlalu banyak jiwa saat ini. Dan pada Demspey Castle, setengah lusin wanita akan belajar laki-laki mereka tidak pernah pulang ke rumah. Mereka musuhnya, cukup benar, dan meskipun ia harus senang, dia tidak.
Mereka dimuat beberapa saat kemudian, setelah Campbell mati telah buru-buru diberkati dan dikuburkan, Bess bersama mereka. Mereka telah meninggalkan mayat-mayat lain di jalan untuk musuh-musuh mereka untuk datang dan klaim.
Mereka melakukan perjalanan secepat jalan berlumpur akan memungkinkan, makan apa yang sedikit makanan mereka telah sementara tinggal di pelana. Fiona lapar dan lelah dan sakit. Tapi sedikit yang yang ketidaknyamanan fisik dibandingkan dengan berat hatinya. Dia bisa merasakannya melanggar, sedikit demi sedikit, dengan setiap langkah menggelegar dari kudanya. Dia meninggalkan jejak pecahan rusak di sepanjang jalan ini dan tahu, jika dia membuat semua jalan ke Dempsey, ia memiliki apa-apa lagi di dadanya menyimpan kekosongan kosong.
Darkness penuh atas mereka ketika mereka mencapai Inverness. Mengekang sebelah gedung keras dengan pesta pora dan bersinar dengan cahaya, Myles disebut instruksi kepada anak buahnya.
"Tavish, melihat ke mendapatkan kami kamar. Benson, menemukan dokter dan membawanya ke sini. Nigel, memilih seorang pria dan pergi mengatur perahu. Kita harus berlayar terang. Tapi, pria "-dia menurunkan nya voice-" penggunaan hati-hati. Jika musuh-musuh kita adalah dekat, tidak akan lakukan untuk memiliki mereka menyadari bahwa kita di sini.
"Tavish mengangguk. "Berpikir Bijaksana."
Orang-orang pergi tentang bisnis mereka, dan Fiona berjuang untuk menjaga tempat duduknya di pelana. Kewalahan oleh kelelahan dan kesedihan, tampaknya dia tinggal seumur hidup karena pernikahannya hanya dua hari yang lalu. Dia tak peduli apa yang terjadi selanjutnya, atau jadi dia pikir sampai Myles turun dan berjalan perjalanan. Dia menyadari bahwa dia memang memiliki ruang untuk rasa takut sedikit. Ekspresinya lebih gelap dari langit di atas.
"Turun."
Dia berjuang dari punggung kuda, untuk tangannya masih terikat, dan kakinya lemas saat ia menyentuh tanah. Suaminya menangkapnya dengan satu tangan untuk menjaga dia dari runtuh sepenuhnya ke jalan-jalan, tapi tidak ada perawatan tender di sentuhannya. Sebaliknya, ia menariknya ke sisi jalan, pengaturan nya pada sebuah tong terbalik mendorong melawan dinding bangunan.
"Stay."
Matanya ditutup atas kemauan mereka sendiri. "Di mana pun aku akan pergi?" Ketika dia membuka mereka saat kemudian, Myles pergi dan Darby berdiri di depannya, senjata ditarik dan di siap di ramping, tangan gemetar.
"Tuanku Myles bilang aku harus melihat bahwa Anda tetap tinggal."
Dia tersenyum pada anak dedak berwajah. "Berapa umurmu, Darby?"
"Sebelas. Tapi aku akan dua belas segera. "Dia mengangkat dagunya seolah-olah untuk menambah tinggi
badannya." Maukah kau menusuk saya jika saya pindah? "Tanyanya.
Dia menegakkan bahunya yang sempit. "Terbaik tidak menggoda saya untuk mencari tahu."
Dia menutup matanya lagi dengan senyum pasrah. "Ah, lain Campbell suka berkelahi. Bahkan anak-anak kecil yang berarti. "