He strode ahead into the woods, his sharp eyes easily locating the almost imperceptible trail through the undergrowth whence he had come. When she followed him without further protest, he found himself smiling inwardly.
Thinking the matter settled, she took him by surprise when she suddenly said in a persuasive tone, “I understand what ye say, Malcolm, but mayhap we could come tae an arrangement.”
He glanced at her, suspicion curling in his gut. “What sort of arrangement?”
“Somethin’ that would suit us both. I dinnae want tae be a burden on ye or yer clan, and if Sinclair finds out I’m there, it will put ye all in danger. So, how about I agree tae go with ye tae yer keep, but when we get there ye give me a change of clothes, some money, some provisions, and a horse? That’s all I need tae get home by mesel’. Ye’ll have done yer duty tae me braither, and I’ll be out of yer hair for good.”
“Nay. That willnae dae at all. I’ll dae what Duncan asks of me tae the letter.” He saw her bottom lip trembling mutinously and tried to lighten the moment. “Now, are ye gonna come with me quietly, or dae I havetae tie ye up and sling ye over me shoulder?” he asked teasingly.
Her mouth fell open. “Did me braither tell ye tae make such threats?” she asked, her face so serious, he almost burst out laughing.
He peeped at her sideways and cocked a brow. “He said I should dae anythin’ necessary tae protect ye. I reckon that gives me an awful lot of leeway, and ye should ken I never make idle threats. Now, stop mitherin’ and get a move on. We’ve still a way tae go before we can ride, and I’m sure ye dinnae want tae be stuck out here all bloody night.”
She huffed at him, knitting her brows. “I’m comin’, aren’t I? And there’s nay need tae curse. Ye’re nae with yer men in the tavern now.”
“God, how I wish I was,” he muttered, rolling his eyes to the heavens.
CHAPTER FOUR
“How much further?” Catriona asked wearily as they trudged side by side along a deserted trackway across some open moorland. Despite having to practically jog to keep up with Malcolm’s long strides and the protection of her woolen cloak, she could not stop shivering.
“A mile I reckon,” Malcolm replied. “I left me horse hidden further down the road so I wouldnae draw attention.”
“A mile!” Catriona exclaimed, appalled, unsure she would make it before freezing to death. She rubbed her arms in a vain attempt to keep out the chill, and realized Malcolm was staring at her and frowning.
“Are ye cold?” he asked. Before she could answer, he took off his own cloak and offered it to her. “Put this on,” he said. “I dinnae want ye gettin’ a chill.”
Catriona was tempted to snatch it from him, she was so desperate for any hint of warmth. Yet she hesitated. Accepting the cloak seemed to her an admission of weakness she did not want him to see.
Pride won out. She shook her head. “Thank ye, but nay. I’m fine as I am.”
“Aye, I expected nay less from ye, Catriona,” he said, the corners of his lips twitching annoyingly. “Stubborn as always.” Before she could stop him, he whirled it about her shoulders, “Nay arguments, lass,” he added, fastening it at her throat. “I’ll deliver ye tae Duncan hale and hearty if ye dinnae mind, tae avoid any trouble. Come along.”
The thickly lined cloak warmed her as Malcolm led her slowly yet steadily across country, taking hidden trackways, sticking to the trees for cover when they could. From time to time, Catriona glanced back and was thankful to see no one was following them. At the same time, she knew that Sinclair soldiers could appear at any moment. The thought pushed her onward, and she had no one else to trust but Malcolm.
After a while, the weather grew blustery, and gray clouds gathered overhead.
“Smells like rain,” Malcolm observed, sniffing the air and surveying the sky. His brow darkened. “I reckon there’s a storm about tae break. We’re nae far from where I left me horse. There’s a shepherd’s hut there. I dinnae think we’ll make it backtae me keep if the storm breaks, but at least we can take shelter there fer the rest of night.”
Catriona nodded, freezing and exhausted. They trudged onwards, the rising wind whipping at their clothing, the sky darkening ominously above them.
“There’s the hut,” he said, jutting his chin at a low, dark shadow. As they approached, lightening suddenly crackled across the sky, and she saw a wood shingled roof set back from the track behind some trees. Then, and a mighty clap of thunder shook the very ground beneath their feet.
“Christ, this is all I need!” Malcolm grumbled loudly. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her with him as he ran for the door of the hut. He kicked the door open and shoved Catriona inside. “Stay here. I’m gonna check on me horse. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he told her before slamming the ill-fitting door behind him.
Catriona stood shivering, listening to his heavy footsteps going around the back of the flimsy structure, until the sound was blasted away by another crack of lightening and roar of thunder. She looked about the single, low-ceilinged room apprehensively. The hut had obviously been abandoned for quite some time.
She took in the dirt floor, the small, blackened hearth, the cobwebs, and shivered some more. There was no window, but a little light from the lightening leaked in through the rickety wooden walls.
Just be thankful fer some shelter, she told herself sternly, pushing down the sudden desire for Malcolm to hurry back. When he reappeared a few minutes later, vexing as it was, she could not deny her relief. He was carrying a saddlebag, a lantern and a rolled blanket slung over his shoulder, which he placed neatly on the floor.
“’Tis comin’ down in buckets out there,” he said, straightening up, his hair, face, and shoulders wet with rain. He reached up and ran his fingers through his thick, dark curls, pushing the wet strands off his face. The movement only served to emphasize the rugged beauty of his features and show off his brawny arms and broad shoulders.
He occupied himself with lighting the lantern.
Catriona suddenly found herself staring up at him, mesmerized by the drops of water running down his face, feeling a strange warmth stirring inside her that was quite alarming.
Lord, he’s braw, she thought, shocked to realize the depth of attraction he held for her. He had always been popular with the local girls for his looks and, she supposed a little grudgingly, his charm. But the passing years and all the battles he had fought had honed his once boyish good looks and already powerful physique into something harder and much more dangerous. And more... desirable.
