After he drew back, it sounded as if he was sifting through the coins in his sporran. "I have something for you."
"What is it?" She was indeed curious, for she loved gifts and surprises.
He took her hand and placed a small item in her palm. When she closed her fingers over it, excitement buoyed her, for the object felt very familiar. To be certain, she turned her hand over and took the item between her fingers and thumb to feel it carefully with her fingertips—a cool metal disc with a small gem in the center and a hook on another part of it. "'Tis one of my mother's earrings!" Filled with warmth and gratitude, she blinked back happy tears.
"Aye."
"Oh, I thank you. Where did you find it?"
"In the wood, not too far from here. I only found one of them, and I didn't ken until that moment that Red Holme was the one who'd shot my father."
Her tears of joy turned to those of sadness. Imagining the devastation he must have felt at that realization, plus thinking about how Holme had stolen away her sight again, an ugly mixture of sorrow and fury grated at her. "Where is Holme?"
"Dead." Colin was glad he could give her this news. He'd forgotten she didn't know already. "He can never harm you again."
Kristina closed her eyes, frowning, looking troubled. "I wish I'd never opened the door to him that morn, but I thought…" She dropped silent.
"Aye, what?"
"He said'tis me, but it sounded like your voice. He tricked me."
"Damnation," Colin said under his breath, again regretting he hadn't been with her that morn. If only he'd forgiven her the night before. "I'm sorry I wasn't with you to prevent him abducting you."
"Do not blame yourself."
Well, he did. He couldn't help it.
"I remember now how I got hurt," she whispered.
"You do?" He wanted to know what Holme had done to her, but at the same time he braced for the anger.
"Aye. Holme had me rolled up in an old canvas and lying on the saddle in front of him. 'Twas painful the way the saddle jabbed up into my stomach. The horse was galloping and seemed to lose its footing. I went flying off onto the ground. My head and upper body slammed into something hard. Must have been rocks. At the same time, I felt crushed as Holme landed on top of me. That's all I remember. I passed out."
Imagining the whole scene, Colin clenched his jaw against the renewed anger. So, her current injuries had been caused by an accident. He was glad Holme hadn't beaten her again. Still, he shouldn't have handled her so roughly.
"I killed him shortly after that in a fair fight. In a kirk."
"A kirk?" she gasped.
"Aye. I hope the Almighty can forgive me for that, especially since I was trying to save your life."
Her brows furrowed. "I'm certain you are already forgiven, Colin," she said softly. "Were you hurt?"
"Nay, but Ralston was. He'd charged ahead of me." Although Colin was still annoyed at Kristina's brother, he couldn't help but admire his bravery.
"Oh, saints! Is he all right? What happened?"
"Aye, he's on the mend. Sword wound to his leg."
"I would like to talk to him. I also wish to thank you for risking your life to rescue me."
"There's no need to thank me." Colin only wished he could've gotten to her sooner and spared her the injury.
"Aye, I must. You're the most amazing and generous man I have ever met. I can never repay you for all you've done for me."
If only she would agree to spend her life with him, that would be more than enough repayment. But he feared she would never agree to it. Still, he had to try.
"I know how you can repay me." His heart pounded with trepidation, for he was diving right into a topic he shouldn't.
