Chapter Five
Colin had savored Lady Kristina's smile and wished to see it again. Talk about enchanted… he was. And transfixed. The scar she was so worried about did not disfigure her. Not in the way she thought. He had grown used to facial scars since being around Neacal. Besides, Colin had plenty on his own body, though not on his face. All warriors possessed scars, and wore them like medals of honor. That's how he saw her… as a wee female warrior. It wasn't simply her scar, but her strength of spirit. Her courage came through in the words she spoke and her confident bearing. She was a tough lady.
"Do you sing?" he asked her.
"I used to."
He'd hoped she would smile again, but instead, she appeared melancholy. "I hope to hear you sing, too, then."
The corners of her exquisite lips turned down, and she lowered her chin. "It has been a long time. I'm out of practice."
"Once we get back to the castle and you are reunited with your sister, hopefully she can convince you to join her in a song."
Another small smile brightened Kristina's face. That was it. The thought of being with Anna made her smile. He could easily see how much she loved her sister. "Aye, 'haps," she said.
"Would you like to sit? I didn't bring an extra plaid, so you'll have to sit on the dirt floor until I find one for you."
"I'm certain my clothing is already dirty, so it won't matter. I'm tired."
"I hope to get you back to the castle soon. You need rest." He took her hands, which were surprisingly cold, and helped her sit on one of the cleaner spots.
"Your hands are chilled." He crouched, cupping her small hands between his larger ones, trying to warm them.
She shivered. "Well… this cave is cold. And the wind outside has picked up. Do you hear how it roars?"
"Aye. I think we'll have an early winter." Since they'd traveled from the castle by rowboat and had planned to return straightaway, they had brought no supplies. Releasing her, he stood and searched the cave, finding nothing except rocks and dirt in this chamber. He doubted the two chambers farther back contained anything more. "I'll see if one of the men has a spare plaid." He strode outside into the wind where the trees tossed violently and the sky was as dark as gloaming. Several of his men trotted up the hill toward the cave.
"I found some water." Ethan held the wineskin aloft.
"Can you give some to the lady?"
His boyish face lit up. "Aye. With pleasure."
Colin frowned after Ethan as he hastened into the cave. Clearly Colin was not the only one who had noticed her beauty.
"The strong gale is close," Rusty said, his long russet hair blowing in the wind.
Colin nodded. "Do any of you have a spare plaid? Lady Kristina is cold."
They shook their heads, exchanging glances as if they feared he'd order one of them to hand over his plaid. "Nay."
"'Haps you could give her yours." Warton's craggy face split into a rascally grin.
Colin ignored the teasing. Though he didn't want to disrespect the lady by being half naked around her, the truth was she couldn't see him. Unfortunately. And his long linen shirt did reach almost to his knees.
"'Tis the only solution." Colin removed his belt and his plaid fell from its pleats.
Warton chuckled. "Should've known you would get naked any time a bonny lass is around."
Colin raised a brow. Yet another man who thought Kristina was attractive. He could understand her insecurities about the scar, but he wished he could convince her of how gorgeous she was in spite of it. He had a feeling all his men thought so, too.
He buckled his belt back into place at his waist and glanced down at the tail of his shirt, just above his knees. "I'm covered well enough."
He took the loose plaid into the cave, knelt, and wrapped it around Kristina where she sat on the floor.
She shivered, hissing a breath between her teeth as she pulled his plaid tight about her. "I thank you. This is so warm." She closed her eyes, seeming to revel in the heat. "Wait." Her eyes popped open. "You were wearing this!"
"How could you know that?"
