"Saints," he hissed, hardly able to breathe. Her blindness had been her excuse for rejecting him. Did this mean…?Hell, don't even think of it,he told himself.
Her bewitching blue gaze was still locked on his, her pupils dilated in the dim torchlight. "Most things are still blurry, especially at a distance, but I'm starting to see better close up."
He was shocked speechless. He still didn't see how it was possible. "A miracle?"
"'Haps. Or the injury."
"Aye." He remembered… and still blamed himself for that, too.
"Enough about me," she said. "I'm so sorry you lost your father. I want you to know I'm here for you if you need to talk. As you know, I lost my father several years ago."
Colin nodded. "I'm sorry you lost your father, too," he said, simply to cover his sudden annoyance and discomfort.
"I thank you."
"Are you going to introduce me, brother?" Bryce said beside him, dragging him from the spell her eyes had cast over him.
"This is my younger brother, Bryce," Colin said, then motioned to Kristina. "And this is Lady Kristina."
Bryce bowed over her hand and kissed it. "So, you are the renowned Lady Kristina who Colin is so secretive about."
Colin ground his teeth. "I haven't been secretive."
Bryce smirked.
Kristina glanced at him with uncertainty. Saints, he could not get accustomed to the fact that she could see. The awareness in her gaze reached deep into his soul. It felt as if he were connecting with her on an even more profound level than before. He could stare into her expressive blue eyes forever.
Colin glared at Bryce. "I'm certain the lady is exhausted and hungry. I'm going to escort her into the great hall, that is, if she would like."
"Aye. And it was wonderful to meet you, Bryce."
"A pleasure." He gave an abbreviated bow.
She slipped her arm around Colin's, and they headed toward the steps. Through his clothing and chain mail armor, he relished the gentle pressure of her hand on the inside of his elbow. His body stirred in response, which infuriated him. Why was his body enslaved by hers?
"You have a beautiful home," she said, raising her voice to be heard over the din in the great hall as the servants and clan prepared for supper.
"I appreciate it." Colin was surprised to find his mother coming toward them.
"My maid told me Neacal had arrived with his new bride." His ma offered a small smile, the first he'd seen on her face since he'd been back.
"Aye."
She glanced at Kristina, who still held his arm, and he prayed Ma wouldn't mention Kristina's scar.
"And who is this lovely lass?"
"Meet Lady Kristina. She is Neacal's wife's sister. Kristina, this is my mother."
"I'm glad to meet you, Lady Cameron." Releasing his arm, Kristina leaned in and kissed his ma's cheek. "But I'm so sorry for your terrible loss."
"I thank you. And please call me Hester."
Colin moved aside and turned, finding Neacal and Anna behind them. "This is Neacal's new bride, Anna."
Neacal, Anna and his mother exchanged greetings. She then met Maili.
Kristina still stood close beside him. His mother looked pointedly at the spot where Kristina's elbow brushed his arm, then glanced up at him and gave him a wee mischievous grin. How could she be smiling in the midst of grief? Was she that glad to see that a lass was interested in him?
