Read An Oath Broken for Free Online

wariness flickered in her eyes. “I—I am tired. Can you not let me rest?”
    “You are weak. The broth will warm you and give you strength. After you finish it, aye, then you can sleep. By the morrow you should be back to full health. Once you are through, I will have your maid sleep near you tonight. You need warmth. I will nae risk your falling ill because you are thick-headed.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “I am not—”
    “You are.” At ease with her indignation, he nudged the cup against her lips. “Now drink.”
    “I shall drink it,” she said, her words as frosty as the snow hurling outside, “but only to quicken the time to be rid of you.”
    “A thought that pleases me as well.” He wrapped his hand over her own, ensuring she drank slowly. Once she emptied the cup, he set it aside. “Your maid will be over shortly.”
    For a moment she watched him, her face displaying all too clearly her emotions for him to see. The distrust clung like moss to the banks of a river, but within the eddies of emotion, desire surfaced as well.
    “Close your eyes and try to rest.” Then he wouldna see her yearnings, but unfortunately, he would remember. ’Twas the penance he deserved for wanting what he had no business thinking about.
    With one last measuring look, she turned her back to face him, leaving her round, firm bottom in clear sight.
    He gritted his teeth and willed his body nae to respond, but her every breath pressed her tempting bottom closer. He’d have to be a saint nae to notice or react, and God knew he’d long since lost any chance of pursuing such a spiritual vocation.
    He rolled from the covers, shoved to his feet, and tucked the blankets around her. Within moments, her breathing grew slow and steady. With a frustrated sigh, he headed over to speak with her maid.
     
    The next morning, after checking on his wayward charge, Giric scrubbed his hand over his face as he halted before the crackling blaze. Steam swirled thick and pungent when Colyne lifted the pot of herbed tea from the fire. “How is Lady Sarra?”
    “She will live.”
    Mirth twinkled in Colyne’s eyes. “’Tis good to find your spirits are up about the fact.”
    With a grunt, Giric knelt and picked up a long stick. Coals glowed red as he stirred them. “How long do you think the storm will last?”
    His friend glanced toward where the wind howled with a fierce snarl. “A day, two at most.”
    Giric blew out a rough breath. “My thoughts as well.”
    “January is nae the time to be traveling in the lowlands.” Colyne nudged a stray limb into the fire.
    “’Tis nae, but we were given little choice. Lord Bretane’s missive was explicit.” Giric watched the snow whip past the entrance, his spirits sinking. “If the storm continues, it shall take a fortnight if nae more to reach Dunkirk Castle.”
    “Patience, my friend. We will make it.”
    Giric tossed the stick onto the coals and watched the flames engulf the dry wood. He had the rest of his life to right the wrongs of his past. A day or sennight more would make little difference.
    After pouring two cups of herbed tea, Colyne stood and made a mock toast. “Alicia is awake and from the looks of it, Lady Sarra as well. I am off to save the damsels in distress.”
    “Her maid is of softer temperament,” Giric said.
    On a chuckle, Colyne headed toward the women.
    Giric glanced at Sarra, who as Colyne noted, was stirring within the covers. Thank God she was safe.
     
    Pulling the wool blanket tight, Sarra sat up and met Sir Knight’s assessing gaze. Wariness streaked through her.
    He turned away.
    The tall Scot with the whisky-colored hair approached. He knelt before her maid with a steaming mug of tea. “Ho, lass,” he said with surprising gentleness. He held up the steaming brew. “I have brought you chamomile tea. ’Twill help you to relax.”
    “My thanks,” Alicia said.
    Sarra watched with interest, intrigued by the easy manner of Sir Knight’s companion, and sensing