The Price of Freedom Read Online Free Page A

dismissed her concern with a wave of his hand. “Your father only wants you to tell him it’s what you want before he’ll sign the betrothal agreement.”
    â€œThen there’s no harm in my going to him before we depart.”
    Looking rather pleased with himself, Rodney said, “I’m sure your father will see things differently this morning.”
    â€œWhat have ye done, Kat?” Fergus stared at her and she could feel her face turn crimson.
    â€œThe lady does not answer to you,” Rodney said.
    â€œI have done nothing wrong,” she lied.
    Fergus stared hard at her. “I hope not, for all our sakes. Don’t go with him, today, Kat. He’s using ye to get Homelea.”
    â€œThat’s enough!” Rodney shouted. He shoved Fergus out of the way and grabbed Kathryn’s arm so tightly she cried out from the pain. Fergus dived at Rodney’s legs and they went down in a tumble, Kathryn spared from a fall at the last second when Rodney let go of her arm. She stumbled backward and watched in horror as Rodney grabbed a riding crop and slapped Fergus across the face with it. The lash caught Fergus across his left eye, baring the brow bone and marking the lid.
    Fergus fell away, stunned. Kathryn placed herself in front of Fergus to spare him another blow. When Rodney paused, wiping his upper lip of sweat, she turned to Fergus and nearly fainted at the sight of his blood pouring from the split skin. The eye was already swelling and she feared he would lose his sight.
    Rodney stood and stared at Fergus with contempt. “Maybe now you will mind your betters.”
    â€œAnd is this how you intend to enforce my obedience, my laird?” she demanded, gesturing toward the crop still in his hand.
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous, Kathryn. There are better ways to inspire a wife to be compliant.” The lecherous look he gave her had little to do with the gentleman he’d pretended to be these past weeks of his courtship.
    Had she been played for a fool? It wasn’t possible . . . was it? She loved him, though! And he loved her! But if that was so, what had made him lash out at Fergus, to speak to her with such contempt? Where was the kind suitor who’d sworn his undying love just hours ago in her chamber?
    She looked at him now, at his smug air of superiority, so sure that she would bow to his will as everyone always seemed to do. Handsome Rodney, so sure the world would give him what he wanted simply because of his comeliness and charm. Disgust roiled through her at Rodney’s behavior and was soon joined by guilt at her own complicity in what now became clear. Rodney’s seduction had been aimed, not at her heart, but at her inheritance. Confused and unwilling to confront Rodney and the truth, she turned her attention to her friend; she ripped a strip of material from her chemise and held it to Fergus’s wound, then helped him to sit up and lean against the stall.
    Fergus put his hand on the makeshift bandage and said, “Send him away, Kathryn. He means ye no good.”
    â€œI should take you to Anna—”
    â€œI’m all right for the moment.”
    She’d been so sure of herself last night that she’d given her heart and her body to Rodney. In light of what had taken place here in the stable her certainty crumbled. Rodney’s temper had been both unprovoked and uncalled for under the circumstances.
    She took a deep breath and straightened to face Rodney. “Did you speak to my father?”
    â€œOf course I did.”
    â€œAnd did he or did he not give us his blessing?”
    â€œWe will marry, Kathryn,” Rodney said.
    â€œYou haven’t answered my question.”
    â€œHe will say yes when you tell him you agree.”
    Rodney had lied. Dear God, forgive me. What have I done? He’d come to her as a husband and let her think that her father had said yes to his suit for marriage.
    She’d committed an