A frown creased his brow. After a moment, he nodded. “’tistime to leave.”
“Whereare you going?”
“We,” he said with emphasis, “are going to an inn where I have a room for tonight. You will have a meal, and a place to rest while yourinjury mends.”
One she’d passed earlier this day. Though far enough away from where anyone would recognize her, without coin or time, she’d avoided the tavern. Neither did she wish to go with him.
She shook her head. “I canna—”
“While we sup,” he continued, “we will discuss arrangements for you to reach your destination.”
“You would accompanyme to my aunt?”
“Nay. As you are without sufficient funds, I will arrangefor an escort.”
“I…” Elspet smothered another surge of guilt. “Your generosity is appreciated, but I refuse to disrupt your travels further. If you would kindly spare a pound, which will cover fare, meals, and lodgings for the remainder of my trip, I willna delay you further.” Lowering her lashes a degree, she gave him a demure look. “Money I assure you, once I know where you are headed, thatI will repay.”
He shook his head. “I dinna carry such a large amountwhen I travel.”
She smothered a burst of panic. Merciful saints, what was she going to do?
“I understand and appreciate your kindness,” she forced out, “but I nay longer need your assistance.”
A red brow lifted in stunned disbelief. “You want me to leave you here, injured and without a horseor protection?”
Straightening her shoulders, she limped back a step. “Aye. If I find the need to rest, as you said, there isan inn nearby.”
He frowned. “With the way the storm is worsening,wewill be fortunate to reach the tavern by horse, much less on foot. Or, in your case, hobbling. Nor, by your admission, can you pay for a room.”
Blast it. She scowled at the thick flakes tumbling past, damned the throb in her ankle. All she needed was the coin, not more time spent with a man who made her notice the hard cut of his jaw, nor his eyes as blue as the ocean, not to mention the delay that may cost her stepbrother his life.
An errant ray of light broke through the clouds and shimmered off the knight’s broadsword.
Elspet stilled. Atop a leather grip, a carved gold crest lay etched within the pommel, with intricate carvings on the guard. She’d believed him but a knight, though a warrior could far from afford such a superior weapon, garb of such quality, or a destrier of such caliber.
Unease rippled through her. God in heaven, who was he? If of nobility, why had he not proclaimed his title? Regardless, a sword of this quality would bring more than enough to pay the guardto free Blar.
She lifted her gaze to his, distaste swirling on her tongue. The last thing she wished to do was to steal this courageous man’s weapon, nor did she wish to risk trying to rob an unsuspecting traveler. She brushed her fingers against the bruise on her cheek. Too well she understood the danger in such a foolish choice. Though she despised her decision, time to reach the guard was runningout. “I agree.”
A dry smile touched his mouth. “I thank you, my lady, for allowing me to offer you escort.”
She didn’t correct him. Let him think she was of noble birth, not the daughter of a farmer. ’Twould make it more difficult when he tried to find her.
The warrior swung into his saddle. With ease, he lifted her before him.
Elspet tried to ignore the hard ripple of his muscles against her body, his warmth, the strength of his arms as they circled around her to lift the reins, or how, for this moment, she felt safe. Given her predicament, she had no business noticing anything about this handsome knight.
Cailin draped his cloak around her. “I will protect you,” he said, as if sensing her need for reassurance, then he kicked his steedinto a gallop.
Protect her? If he knew what she had planned this night, he would have abandoned her to her fate.
* * * *
A short while later, settled in their room at the inn, the savory scent of food filled the air and firelight from the hearth illuminated the chamber with a soft, golden glow and warmth. Elspet scowled at how the swelling in her ankle had grownsteadily worse.
“I fear my aunt will be worried when I do not arrive,” she said.
Cailin tore off a piece of bread, dipped it in the hearty stew, popped it in his mouth, then swallowed. “Given the ferocity of the storm, she will understand the delay.”
