Surprised to see the candle blazing like a torch, he blew it out.
He grabbed his plaid and used it to beat out the small flames scorching the coverlet and devouring the rushes on the floor. Foul-smelling smoke billowed upward.
"Damnation," he growled, checking to make sure the fire was snuffed out.
"What happened to the candle?" Cat asked, standing on the opposite side of the bed and pulling her arisaid around her.
"The candlewick must have exploded and shot fire everywhere." He shoved back the curtains and opened the window to allow in fresh air to clear the smoke.
"Heavens." Cat stared at him wide-eyed, her gaze roving down his body, making him realize he was still unclothed.
Hell, he could not continue what they'd started. 'Haps the fire had been a warning sign that he should've never touched her.
After finding his long linen shirt on the chair, he pulled it over his head, glad the flames hadn't come near it. Next, he snatched up his plaid and belted it haphazardly around his waist.
"I hope your plaid is nay ruined," she said.
He glanced down at the blackened wool. "'Twill be fine."
She climbed onto the mattress and rested on her knees. "You've yet to answer my question about marrying me."
"Saints preserve us, lass. We cannot marry."
Why did she not simply thrust a blade into his gut? Offering him something he found he craved to the depths of his soul, though he would've never suspected before today. 'Haps her flights of fancy were rubbing off on him; he was ever a practical man.
"Why not? You are a knight. Would you not rescue me from that brute?" Her eyes lured and persuaded. What a wee manipulator she was, but since she was so transparent about it, he found it charming. Still, she needed to face reality.
"A man cannot simply steal another man's betrothed without retaliation."
"But you could get Brodie's permission."
"We'll discuss it later." Torr yanked on his boots, then slung his baldric across his body. "I must speak to the owner about the fire."
"Oh. I hope we'll nay be held responsible for the damages."
"'Twas his candle that blazed out of control. Go back to your chamber and sleep, else you'll be exhausted while we're traveling tonight. The owner will want to inspect the damage here, anyway."
"Very well." She grabbed her smock but kept the long plaid arisaid wrapped around her. "What about you? Where will you sleep?"
"Mayhap here. Leave the candles in your room unlit."
Her face paled. "For a certainty."
After watching Cat enter her chamber, Torr quickly descended the staircase, found the owner, and told him about the explosive candle and the small fires it caused.
"Saints!" Roy MacGillivray's eyes widened. "I hope you were nay injured."
Torr shook his head. "I'm well."
They proceeded upstairs to inspect the damage.
"Nay harm. I hope you will accept my apologies, sir. I've never seen a candle do that before."
"Nor have I," Torr said.
"I shall return your fee to you in recompense."
"Nonsense. I'm well, and none of my belongings were damaged." His plaid might be slightly blackened, but 'twas an old one anyway. He wouldn't mention that Cat had been in the room at the time.
