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Black Bryan?”
    His expression became more formal as he straightened to his full height. “I hope I will not give you or your people reason for such concern, Lady Kathryn.”
    Aye, one can hope. But he fairly radiated male confidence and restrained power, and Kathryn thought it wise to avoid provoking him in any way. She would admonish Fergus to do the same.
    Sir Bryan’s expression remained unreadable. Didn’t he ever smile? It would make him seem more human. Less frightening.
    He said, “I have been ordered to hold this castle for Robert the Bruce, and I am inclined to deal unkindly with those who stand in the way.” He pointed toward Carleton. “He cannot stay.”
    Placing herself firmly under the authority of Black Bryan, she moved to stand at his side and said, “Nor do I wish him to.” Emboldened by the presence of the formidable man standing next to her, she called to Rodney. “Lord Carleton, it seems I no longer require your company. You may go.”
    At a nod from her, the guards released him, and Rodney stalked toward her. Instinctively, she stepped closer to the protection of the knight while a large blond man at arms materialized at Sir Bryan’s other side.
    Rodney’s crimson face and clenched fists betrayed him. Wisely he halted out of range of the Scots’ weapons. “Kathryn, this is outrageous. Edward will not allow a prize like Homelea to be handed to his enemy. Nor will I.” He stepped forward, but at the sound of a dozen swords leaving their scabbards he hastily retreated. Kathryn gathered her skirts, the better to run from the skirmish if necessary.
    Black Bryan stepped between her and Rodney and drew his own sword. “Lucky for you I promised Lady Kathryn no bloodshed. She has made it clear you are no longer welcome. If you aren’t convinced of her sincerity, let me remind you she has yielded to Bruce. To me.”
    Kathryn relaxed the grip on her clothing as he closed in on Rodney, placing the point of his sword on the man’s neck. “But if you ever touch her again, I’ll kill you.”
    The knight’s resolute declaration let Kathryn know that God had chosen her champion well. Perhaps her fear of him wasn’t justified.
    The two men faced each other, a dark, powerful warrior and a tall, slender nobleman. Rodney repeated his earlier threat, though it was obvious who held the upper hand. “This isn’t finished, Mackintosh. Beware.”
    Kathryn shuddered at the hatred seething between these two. She watched as Rodney, his expression malevolent, mounted his gelding and jerked the reins so hard Kathryn winced in sympathy for the horse. Her relief at seeing Rodney cross the bridge was soon replaced with the reminder that the scowling knight remained. What now? Had she relieved herself of one cruel master only to embrace another?
    She brought her gaze from the knight to the red-headed squire at his side and was startled when he winked at her and grinned. Caught off-balance by his obvious appreciation for the irony of her situation, she couldn’t repress an answering smile.
    Kathryn’s mood lightened somewhat and she motioned to Peter and Fergus. “Please see to the needs of Sir Bryan’s men and their horses.”
    As Peter and the blond-haired man turned to leave, Fergus protested. “I will stay with you, my lady.”
    â€œYes, of course.” He would provide a welcome buffer between her and the knight who now followed her into the hall. Servants were cleaning and putting up the trestles from the funeral feast. Gesturing for the knight to have a seat, she instructed a servant to bring food and drink then sat warily across from her unwanted, but necessary guest. Fergus and the knight’s squire sat nearby.
    â€œYou should have your injuries tended, my lady,” Black Bryan said.
    Again, hearing his concern disconcerted her, because it seemed counter to his stoic features and what