"I'll come, too," Neacal said.
Colin helped her stand, then lifted her down from the dais and carried her toward the stairway. She considered telling him she was perfectly capable of walking, but knew that would not deter him. Besides, she enjoyed his effortless strength and the way he indulged her.
As he climbed the steps, she kissed his bristly cheek.
"You're going to make me trip," he growled playfully.
She snickered.
"You two behave yourselves," Anna teased behind them.
Once in the corridor containing the bedchambers, Colin took her to the room she used. Inside, he placed her gently upon the padded settle near the warm hearth.
"You're spoiling me too much," she said.
"Nay, you deserve it."
How sweet and generous he was. She wished she could give him a scorching kiss now. "Where did Anna go?" she wondered, hoping they could have some privacy.
"I'll check." His footsteps padded away from her across the rush mat. "I don't see her in the corridor. Mayhap she went to her chamber with Neacal. Do you want me to go look for her?"
"Nay!" Kristina snickered, then whispered. "I think she wants to give us time alone without setting tongues to wagging."
"I hope so." After closing the door softly, he returned and knelt before her. "I'm craving a kiss from you very badly. Do you think you're well enough?"
Anticipation coursed through her veins. "'Tis what I've been waiting for all evening, dear sir."
He rose to his feet. "First, I'm going to do something."
"What?" She heard the sound of cloth sliding.
After kneeling before her again, he took her hand and drew it to his face, where she felt a soft linen blindfold over his eyes. She inhaled sharply. "Why did you do this?"
"So I can experience what it's like for you."
He would join her in the darkness? Her throat constricted and a hot tear trailed down her cheek.
His hand stroked over her face, encountering the tear.
"Why are you crying?" he whispered.
"Because you…" She shook her head, unable to explain how profoundly he touched her. "I love you," she said instead, for that's what it was. Everything he did made her love him more.
"I know not how to explain how much I love you." He kissed her half numb cheek, the one closest to him. The one with the scar.
Her throat caught on a sob, for she felt his love so strongly. She turned and buried her face in his chest.
"Shh." He kissed her temple. "How can I seduce you if you are crying?"
A surprised laugh escaped her, along with the tears. "Rogue," she accused.
"I believe you hold a fondness for rogues."
"Just one."
"You say all the right things, m'lady." He moved, opening his sporran, then dried her tears with his handkerchief. He handed it to her and she blotted her nose.
"Better?" he asked.
