The Highlander's Bride(35)
She grinned and urged him forward with the wave of her hands, knowing her boastful tactics would only serve to anger him more and render him a careless fighter. “Come on, make yourself look more a fool.”
The man charged at her, and she waited until he was close enough to sidestep him safely while tripping him with her foot.
He went down hard and the crowd cheered.
Sara smiled and bowed her head graciously, accepting the many accolades.
The man turned over slowly, screaming oaths at her, and the crowd gasped when they saw that he was about to fling a knife at her.
Before he could discharge the knife, however, a heavy sandal-covered foot came down on his shoulder, pinning him hard to the ground.
“Drop it!” Cullen ordered.” That’s my wife you attack.”
The man released the weapon and crawled to his feet in order to stand. His manner was far different with Cullen, though he made no bones about telling him how her interference had cost him, pointing to the young lad whom he claimed had stolen from him.
Sara had joined her husband, standing beside him and listening to the man’s tirade. She wasn’t certain what Cullen would do, possibly pay the man off just to quiet him or to protect the boy. But wouldn’t that make her look the fool?
When the man finally finished, Cullen turned to Sara and said, “What will you have me do with him? The choice is yours.”
The man paled, and Sara stood stunned that he should leave the choice to her. She couldn’t help but smile. Her husband made certain she retained her pride, and she wanted to kiss him for his thoughtfulness.
“I don’t want the lad to suffer, and while I don’t believe he stole from this idiot, I say we pay him and be done with it.”
Cullen’s smiling eyes and curt nod told her he admired and agreed with her decision, and while the matter was settled and the crowd dispersed, Sara spoke with Patrick and his mother.
The woman thanked her profusely, and Patrick kept repeating that he hadn’t stolen anything and that he never would. Cullen soon joined them and gave the mother a few coins, though she protested, saying they had done far too much for her and her son already.
Cullen wouldn’t have it any other way, and he was quick to take Sara’s arm and tug her away. She realized he was urging that they leave quickly, and saw why when she turned where his eyes looked in the distance behind her. A troop of soldiers were heading into the market.
They both moved quickly off, ducking into the woods at first chance.
“We need to put a good distance between us and the market,” Cullen said as they hurried through the woods.
Sara kept pace with him, taking the burden of a few of the parcels he carried.
“I appreciate what you did back there,” she said.
He shook his head with a laugh. “At first I thought to interfere, but you seemed to have matters well in hand.”
“You watched?” she asked with surprise.
“How could I not? You had gathered a large crowd, and I could understand why. You were making a fool of the idiot, and everyone was enjoying the show, including me.”
She smiled as her sure footing matched his along the uneven terrain. “You let me deal with him?”
“You were doing a good job and I was prepared to help you when the time came.”
Sara was even more surprised. “You were confident I could handle the situation?”
Cullen stifled a laugh. “Confident? Good Lord, anyone with eyes could see that you were intimidating that fool.”
“So you waited?’
“I wanted to see how you would finish him off.” His smile soured. “When he pulled the knife, that was the end. There was no way I’d take a chance of you being harmed.”
Her heart soared, though her practical side reminded her that he needed her. If anything happened to her, he’d never find his son. Still, for whatever reason, he had protected her and her pride.
He had in essence been her hero when no one had ever defended her.
She reached out and touched his arm briefly, their hurried pace not allowing for more contact. “Thank you.”
His reply came quick as he ducked a low branch in his path. “You’re my wife.”
It was simple to him. Whether the vows were spoken in earnest or in need, he took them seriously. He would allow no one to harm his wife.
He obviously was a man of his word, and that she could count on him wasn’t a question. He was a good man and would make a good husband.
The thought saddened her, for she knew he would not long remain her husband.
Chapter 14
They camped at dusk, a good distance from the market and the soldiers, exhausted from their arduous pace. Cullen settled the horses and wasn’t surprised to see that Sara had seen to building a campfire. She wasn’t the type of woman to sit around and wait for a man to do for her. She took charge and got things done even if it meant placing her life in danger.