“You convinced my people, though after Elspet’s glowing praise, you had mine.” He shot her a fond glance, which she returned.
Cailin’s fingers tightened on his cup. “I swear you willna regret it.”
“Of that I have little doubt.” Taog stood. “And I agree, Elspet looks as if she is ready to collapse.”
“We had a hard day of travel,” Cailin said, “made more so as a short distance from your camp, we had to hide from the earl’s men.”
The Romani leader grimaced. “I have noticed the increase of rounds by his guards over the past few days. Now I know why. We will speak further in the morning, once you both have slept.” He walked to an elder on the opposite side of the fire, sat, and spoke softly.
The elder gave a slow nod.
A wave of tiredness washed over Cailin. Thankful for the Romani’s support and that Taog had given them some privacy, he emptied his mug.
* * * *
“Here.” Elspet’s hand shook from exhaustion as she handed him a steaming mug of stew.
“I thank you.” He took a swallow, then another. “’Tis good, but you really shouldfind your bed.”
“I will, but being here is…” Painful memories stormed her. Her appetite gone, she setaside her food.
He touched her shoulder. “Elspet—”
A tremor rippled through her. “’Tis difficult being here. The last time I was with my stepfather. His smile… Regardless if I wasna his true daughter, he was always proud of me, and I…” She shook her head. “Never mind, ’tis naught but foolish ramblings.”
“’Tis anything but.” Cailin lifted her chin, and eyes dark with grief met his. “You had his love, time with him over the years, memories that you will forever hold in your heart. Never forget that.”
The tenderness of his words touched her soul, threatened to break her fragile control. “I willna.”
He released her, and as if a spell broken, the melding of voices of those around them filled the night, the errant burst of laughter, the somber conversations. Sparks popped from the fire, entwined with the smoke, and drifted into the star-filled sky. Moments later, the tiny flares of red slowlyfaded to black.
She finished her second cup of ale, pushed toher feet, wove.
A frown lining his brow, Cailin stood and caught her elbow. “I will escort you to our tent.”
With the soft haze of drink clouding her mind, she nodded, not trusting herself to speak, too aware of him, of the feelings he stirred inside. They added another layer of confusion onto those of a night filled with bittersweet memories. And yet… his touch had the power to make her forget, something she so dearly wished to doat that moment.
Elspet forced a smile at an elder she passed, trembled as she fought to smother memories ofCailin’s kiss.
“You arecold,” he said.
Far from it. This man made her feel off balance and ache for him. Nor could she forget the kiss he’d claimed, even if he’d declared that it hadmeant naught.
Cailin gestured to the tent near a large birch. “This is where Taog saidwe can sleep.”
She stilled. Wanting him, the last thing she needed was to spend more time alonewith him. “We?”
Chapter 10
Pulse racing, too aware of him, Elspet narrowed her gaze at Cailin. Though proud of his acceptance by Taog’s men, she was besieged by a host of other emotions that left her feeling vulnerable. “I can sleep in one of the women’s tents, as I did during my visits with my stepfather.” And with her mind skewed by ale,a safe choice.
“If the earl’s men attack, I want you nearby, where I can protect you.”
Tingles raced up her spine. Within the fall of snow, Elspet scanned the mix of pine, birch, and oak surrounding the camp, where beyond naught but darkness smothered the forest. “Lord Dalkirk would be foolish to try to attack such a large armed band.”
Cailin grunted. “If my uncle knew we were here, he would take the risk, more so as his men could surround the camp beneath the cover of night, then at dawn attack.”
She wanted to deny his claim, but after her mother and stepfather’s murders, she’d witnessed firsthand the lengths to which the noble would go to achieve his objectives. Goals that now included capturing and likely killing them both. “You think the earl and his men arenear the camp?”
