The Price of Freedom by Carol Umberger

Robert’s plan for them to marry. Nor had Sir Bryan done or said anything to deserve it. Indeed the man had actually been kind, and tears threatened as she repented of her uncharitable behavior.
    Her anguish must have shown, because his voice gentled once again. “We’ve gotten off to a rather poor start, haven’t we?”
    She nodded, all she felt capable of at the moment. His tenderness was totally out of character for the Bryan Dubh of legend. How dare he speak so kindly, this destroyer of villages and dreams? How dare he make her wish for what couldn’t be?
    He frowned.
    Much better. Don’t confuse me with kindness.
    â€œMy lady, there are things that must be said between us, and we cannot wait on a more convenient time. The king’s plans obviously don’t suit either of us, so I will ride to Bruce’s camp and ask him to rescind the betrothal.”
    Hope arose. “Do you have some influence with him? I mean, because you are . . . he is. . . .” Flustered, she gave up.
    He shrugged. Apparently satisfied his horse was sound, he returned the animal to its stall, then faced her. “I cannot make any promises, Lady Kathryn. My relationship with King Robert is that of a knight to his liege laird. Nothing more. I’m not privy to his reasons for suggesting the marriage in the first place.”
    She drew in a deep breath. “But he is your father, isn’t he?”
    He looped the leading rope in his hand, studying it. In the quiet she could hear horses munching hay and the occasional stomp of an equine foot. “Would it change your mind about marrying me if I told you the king was indeed my sire?”
    â€œNot at all.”
    â€œThen there is no need to discuss this further. I will do my best to convey your wishes to His Majesty. But I warn you, we may have no choice. I obey my liege, in this and all other matters.” He hung the leading rope on a peg. “Tell me, what is your objection to marriage?”
    Anna had asked the same thing and the answer remained the same. “Marriage to a man who doesn’t love me, who doesn’t love God above all else, would be no marriage at all but prison.” She would need to marry for love, because only a man who truly loved her and God might be able to forgive her lack of virginity.
    And above all other considerations, she couldn’t marry anyone who wouldn’t protect Isobel. She’d had no time to learn anything about this man other than his love for animals and his belief that duty came before love. She must protect the child, even if it meant lying to the knight.
    â€œI would prefer to have Fergus manage my affairs rather than acquire a husband.” And now for the blow she hated to give, but must if she had any hope of persuading him against the union. “And if I must marry, I would prefer it be with someone more in keeping with my station.” God forgive me for saying such a thing.
    LADY KATHRYN HAD A rather exalted opinion of herself. There were many women who would gladly marry a royal by-blow such as him. Bryan struggled to control his emotions. He wasn’t sure of anything at the moment, especially how he felt about the aggravating woman standing before him. One minute he wanted only to shelter her in his arms and stave off all who would bring her harm, and the next she made him so angry he wanted to throttle her.
    Fighting the impulse to do just that, he let his gaze rove over her. “Be careful, my lady. A man such as I, of such distasteful birth, could be very tempted by the title of earl. I could decide this marriage suits me after all.”
    He grasped her arm and pulled her close. Her frightened eyes told him she feared him, and he regretted it. But if she would not respect him, then she could very well fear him instead. “You see, I have earned this reward from my king, with my loyalty and my blood. And you may yet provoke me to take what my king