Trouble with a Highland Bride by Amanda Forester Page B

into her helmet before she was spotted by David and Jack.
    “Stay here!” they both commanded.
    “Not bloody likely,” swore Gwyn, swinging herself up into the saddle.
    Jack cursed, but David just rolled his eyes. “Yer problem now,” David told him with a malicious grin.
    They spurred forward down the passage to confront the English at the gate. Jack led the charge, guiding them away from where he had dropped the caltrops, followed by David, Finn, Gil, Laird Douglas, Laird Grant, and several other lairds and Highland knights. It was an impressive party, but no match for the army that slowly marched forward. If the English did not choose to honor the flag of peace, they would all be dead.
    Gwyn was not generally troubled by worry, but now her stomach twisted into knots, concerned for Jack’s safety. His uncles were not his friends, and the Highlanders behind him would think nothing of killing him if the need should arise—and possibly even if it didn’t. She was determined to stand by him. He was hers, her husband. She would not lose him on their wedding day.
    Jack galloped before the castle to meet the approaching army. One man against a tide of soldiers. “Good news! I bring tidings of hope and joy. I have made an accord and the Scots have agreed to give over the castle!”
    “It is a trick!” called one of the English knights. “Kill him!”
    “No!” cried Gwyn and tried to urge her mount forward to defend her man, but Gil deftly grabbed her reins while Finn blocked her approach.
    “Calm yerself, Sister,” said Gil with an easy grin.
    “Let the man stand before his people,” chided Finn.
    Jack flung off his helmet. “It is I, Sir John Lockton.” He rode along the line of the English troops so everyone could see it was truly him. “My good men, you served well my father before me. Now I ask you to serve me. Let us put down our arms and speak of peace and English victory. We have come for Alnsworth Castle and I have delivered it to you.”
    Gwyn’s heart swelled. He was a brave man, her husband.
    The English knights said nothing. Four of them rode together to parlay and Gwyn guessed his uncles were debating what to do. They might not wish to listen to Jack, but they had given fealty to him. Could they risk giving an order that would be disobeyed?
    “Let us withdraw and return here in an hour’s time to negotiate a peace,” shouted Jack for all to hear.
    “We will meet you and your barbarian friends,” shouted one of his uncles. “Though it appears you have forgotten which side you are on. We also must agree to these terms, or there will be war!”
    The English knights turned and galloped away, the English foot soldiers tromping back to their camp in the valley. Gwyn grabbed back her reins and broke free of her brothers, galloping to meet Jack.
    “Ye did it! Ye turned an English army on yer word!” Gwyn reached out and they clasped gloved hands.
    “Go back inside, Gwyn.” His eyes were clouded. “I will go with my uncles and meet yer brother and the lairds back here.”
    “Nay!” Gwyn’s stomach churned at the thought of Jack back in the hands of his uncles. “Nay, yer place is here. This is yer castle. I am yer wife. Ye must stand by me.”
    A small smile broke on Jack’s face and the clouds cleared. “I confess I was not looking forward to meeting my uncles. I will go with you for now. But you must know, they will oppose this accord. They may have backed down now because they were unsure, and they rarely do anything unless victory is assured. But they want war. They cannot gain without it.”
    “Then we must find a way to make this their victory as well,” said Gwyn.
    The Highlanders, Gwyn, and Jack rode back into the castle by the cistern gate. They had little time to prepare.
    ***
    Jack attempted to prevent Gwyn from going to the negotiations, but Gwyn was resolute. The outcome of the negotiations affected no one more than herself and she would not be shut out. Both sides