Over the howling wind, Duncan could hear the shrill whinny of the horses.
“We need tae get our mounts,” he shouted.
He moved forward as the wind lashed at him, whipping his kilt around his legs. Meanwhile Adrina bent her head against the strong wind, pushing her way toward the frightened animals.
The air currents abruptly turned cooler just as fat droplets of rain fell. And then it was as if the sky opened up, and began to dump buckets of water over them. In a matter of minutes, the entire campsite would be flooded.
“We need tae seek higher ground,” he shouted over the screaming gale. He looked over at the overhanging cliffs behind them, certain that they could find some sort of shelter there.
Adrina had almost made it to the horses when a flash of lightning lit across the sky, and struck a tree in front of her. The electric bolt ripped into the tree limb. A loud crack echoed in the chaos just as the branch started to fall.
“Move!” Duncan yelled. But even as Adrina screamed, terror had frozen her to the spot. Without a moment to spare, he dove at her. In his attempt to shove her out of harm’s way, he sent her small body flying, the large branch missing her by a fraction before it crashed to the ground.
Through the roar of the lashing rain and forceful wind, he crawled over to her, her lifeless body sprawled on the ground. His heart started to quicken. Was she injured after all? But when he reached her, he saw that she was unharmed and staring at the broken branch in shock.
“Are ye all right?” he shouted, but the wind ripped the words from his lips, and she couldn’t hear him. He gestured to the rock face that was a short distance away. “We need tae get over there!”
Whether or not she understood him over the thundering storm, she allowed him to drag her to their mounts. He quickly untied the frightened beasts. With the reins in one hand, and the other hand around Adrina’s waist, he maneuvered everyone toward safety.
CHAPTER 11
The rain continued to pound down, while a deafening rumble reverberated around them, making the ground tremble. All at once, a crack of lightning brightened the sky, illuminating a small cave amongst the rocks and shrubbery. Seeing the opening, Duncan quickly steered her into the gap while the horses trailed after them.
It took a few seconds for Adrina’s eyes to adjust to the darkness, and to realize how fortuitous it was for them to find shelter so quickly. She was soaked straight through, and she was cold and shivering.
Adrina looked uncertainly over at Duncan, and saw that he had already taken the saddles off of the palfreys. But he had also stripped off his great kilt, and had the material hanging loosely over the contraptions to dry. His actions were so unexpected, and she gulped when she saw that he only wore hisleine, the damp shirt clinging to his muscular form. Try as she might, she was unable to forget how magnificent he appeared in the nude. That image was already burned into her memory the moment she recognized his unmistakable likeness in the smoky haze.
“I’ll light a fire,” Duncan said as he went to scour the enclosed area for dried twigs and leaves.
She wanted to peel off her own wet clothing, but there was her modesty to consider. She twisted her lips to one side, undecided as to what she should do. Still, the damp clothing sticking to her skin made her feel clammy and uncomfortable. She was certain that if she kept her waterlogged clothing on, sleep would elude her, and her night would be long and unbearable. Was it really that harmful to strip off her wet clothing, and be at ease? As far as she could see, there was no one here but Duncan to witness her act of impropriety. And even if he noticed that she wore only her chemise, it was unlikely that he would care.
Putting aside her modesty, she started to undress. Then walking over to her horse, she followed Duncan’s lead, and draped herarisaidand kirtle over one of the saddles. The shift she wore was only a little damp, and would dry quickly once the fire warmed the cave.
“Do ye think the storm will continue for the entire night?” she asked, hugging her arms tightly to her chest.
“’Tis a possibility.” The small fire began to hiss and spit. “Have a seat,” he said, beckoning to a spot beside him. “The fire willnae last too long, sae ye should enjoy it before ye faint from the chill.”
“I’m nae a frail blossom,” she said, her teeth clattering.
Duncan snorted, but didn’t argue with her. He stretched his hands to the fire, and let out a satisfied sound. “Suit yourself then. There’s more fire for me.”
Standing off to the side and quavering in her damp shift did nothing to improve her spirits, nor did it stop her teeth from clattering. The rain had soaked through to her skin, almost as if a thin layer of ice had formed there. With some trepidation, she inched closer to the fire. Stretching out her hands, she tried to feel its warmth, but she knew that she was too far away.
Duncan raised his eyes to the ceiling in exasperation. “Ye need tae come closer, lass. I promise ye, I willnae bite.”
When still she hesitated, he walked over to her, scooped her up in his arms, and settled her down on his lap. He then circled his heavy arms around her body, drawing her close to his solid chest, and allowing her to draw from his heat. She should have moved away from him, but the warmth he provided was comforting. And instead of squirming away, she snuggled closer to him. Her senses became alive with his musky, manly scent. And slowly her shivering subsided.
A comfortable silence enveloped them, which was interrupted by the occasional crackle from the fire. Soft light danced on the cavern walls, encircling them in its cozy embrace. Somehow being in his presence made her feel safe and protected. These sentiments were odd since she barely knew the man. But that wasn’t entirely correct, a voice reminded her. She had already met Duncan in her dreams.
“Ye ken, ye are different from any man that I’ve known.”
“Likely ye arenae acquainted with many men,” he said, one corner of his mouth quirking up.
“’Tis true, but I feel that I’ve known ye for some time.” And for some reason as well, she felt that she could trust him.
Adrina paused, her mind reaching back to the embrace they shared by the loch, an embrace that had left her confused, and craving something that she couldn’t quite comprehend.
“Why did ye kiss me earlier?” she asked, staring into the pulsating embers. Her courage had suddenly left her, and she was afraid to find ridicule in his eyes. She was a woman full-grown, but she had never experienced ardent passion from any man.
