"I see. Well, you're both incredibly brave ladies."
Though the admiring tone of his voice made Kristina's heart swell with gratitude, she shrugged modestly. "I don't know about that. We're simply trying to survive."
"You've had a difficult time of it."
Was he referring to her scarred face? 'Twas her main insecurity for, even more than her blindness, it made her unattractive and undesirable.
The grit beneath Colin's boots crunched as he took a step closer. "Did Blackburn harm you in any way?"
Why was he asking again? Did he not believe what she'd said before? "Not this time," she said. "I'm sore from the days of riding, and I have a few scrapes and bruises, but no serious injuries."
"Neither he nor his men took advantage?"
She lowered her burning face. "Red Holme tried to." Her stomach knotted as she recalled the night the bastard had crawled into her tent. "But Blackburn set Ralston to guard me." Renewed panic spiked her heart rate. "Good heavens, I hope Ralston doesn't get injured or killed in the battle." He'd been so kind to her when all the others had been nasty. Tears pricked her eyes.
"You're close to this Ralston, then?" Colin's voice held a slight edge. "Is he a good man?"
"I think so, better than the rest, anyway. He told me I reminded him of his sister." She gave a sad smile. "No one has ever told me that before. I felt safer when he was near. He and Holme got into a fight while he was defending me."
"Is Holme the man who was holding a knife to your throat out there?"
"Aye, he's Blackburn's war leader and second-in-command. A madman. Aside from him, no man wants…" Remembering she was talking to a stranger, she pressed her lips together and dropped her chin. Even though it should be obvious why no man wanted to touch her—nor, thankfully, take advantage—at times she could not bring herself to say the words, especially to someone she'd just met. But Colin didn't seem a stranger anymore. How could she have grown used to him so quickly?
"What?" Colin stepped closer.
She lifted her chin, forcing herself to be confident. "Most men keep their distance. Fortunately, one glance at my face quickly douses the flame of their lusts," she said firmly. Why be afraid to state the obvious truth?
"'Tis ridiculous," he muttered.
She pulled back her cowl a bit. "In case you didn't notice, I have a scar on my face." 'Haps it was darker outside than she'd realized.
"So? You're still an incredibly beautiful lady," he said in a husky, irritable tone.
Her breath halted. Could he be serious? No man had complimented her looks since she'd acquired the scar. Though she'd never seen it herself, every day she felt how jagged and deep it was. Unexpected tears burned her eyes, but she blinked against them, turning away from him.
"You're in need of spectacles, then?" she asked.
He gave a brief laugh. "Nay. My vision is perfect."
"'Tis most surely pitch-black in this cave, as well as outside," she said dryly.
"Nay."
She frowned, trying to figure him out. She did not like to be teased and toyed with. "What do you hope to gain by lying to me?"
"I'm not lying." His voice was almost a growl.
Running footsteps entered the cave and one of his men spoke, breathing hard. "Here is some food I took from the enemy's saddlebags while they were busy fighting. I thought the lady might be hungry."
"'Twas very brave and canny of you, Ethan," Colin said. "I'm certain she must be."
In truth, she was famished. Blackburn had only allowed her a small piece of bread that morn. When Ralston had tried to slip her more, he'd been reprimanded.
"Please bring some fresh water for her if you can find a spring or a clean stream flowing down from the mountain."
When Ethan's footsteps retreated, Colin gently took her hand in his warm one. Tingles spread from his touch. "Here's a bannock." His voice was so deep and comforting, she shivered. He placed an oatcake into her hand.
"Are you certain 'tis not poisoned?"
