"Where are we?" she asked.
"In a cave," Colin said.
"Is it dark? How large is it?"
"Aye, 'tis very dim in here. This part of the cave is about twenty by thirty feet. It has a low ceiling."
She was glad he had described it for her. As children, she and Anna had played in a cave while visiting their grandmother, near the east coast. She'd always had a fondness for caves.
"Can you stand?" Colin asked.
"Aye."
He lowered her feet to the uneven cave floor and, still holding her hand, steadied her.
Her sore, stiff legs ached from all the horseback riding. Certainly, reclining in Colin's arms had been more comfortable, but her arms were tired from holding on around his neck so tightly. Besides, she was certain he had to be exhausted from carrying her.
Through her leather boots, she felt the hard-packed dirt floor beneath her feet, along with a few pebbles.
"Will you be all right standing here alone for a few minutes?" he asked.
"Of course." Though she didn't want to, she released his warm, strong hand. She still missed her cane, but she was starting to grow used to not having it. Once she arrived at the castle, 'haps Anna could convince one of the craftsmen to carve a long, lightweight cane for her so she could move about on her own.
Colin talked quietly with his men near the cave's entrance. She caught some of their words because her hearing had grown keener since she'd lost her sight. He told one man where to position all the other men for guarding the cave. Was he a chief? If not, how did he have a small army at his command?
"Aye, sir." Footsteps hastened from the cave and outside.
All grew quiet, but she still sensed Colin nearby. Was he staring at her? She pulled the cowl more firmly over her head to hide the scar on the side of her face. Of course, he had already seen it, but she didn't want him studying every detail.
His firm and confident footsteps approached. "All is well now, Lady Kristina. My men are guarding the entrance to the cave and the perimeter."
"I thank you for protecting me. Are you a laird?"
"My father is chief of Clan Cameron."
"Are you his heir?"
"Indeed."
"Oh." Saints, he was an important man then. What was he doing risking life and limb to rescue her? Was he that selfless or did he simply love action? "What should I call you?"
"Colin." The smile came through in his tone, making her wish she could see him. Was he a handsome man? Imagining what he might look like, she felt her face heat. What difference did it make? She was the last person to judge others on looks. To her, his kindness was far more attractive than the bonniest masculine face she'd ever seen.
"Colin," she repeated. "Please call me Kristina."
"'Twould be my pleasure."
Had she only imagined the sensuality in his deep, rumbling tone when he'd said those words? Her face felt warmer than it should. Admittedly, she knew little about men and she'd scarcely had any interaction with decent, honorable men her since her injuries. Prior to that, she'd been so young she'd only talked to a few.
"Can you tell me… is Anna safe?" she asked.
"Aye, she's inside Bearach Castle, and the walls are heavily guarded."
"Thank the saints. I always worry over her, even though she is the older sister."
"Why do you two not stay together?"
"She chose to leave in order to draw Blackburn away. She didn't think he would bother with me. I've been staying with our aunt and uncle in Stirling. If Anna had stayed with me, Blackburn could've easily guessed where she was."
