"I've thought about this." Finnian smoothed his white beard. "You must carry blessed objects that ward off evil. I'll prepare two Rowen crosses tied with red wool, then have the priest bless them with holy water."
Unsure whether that would protect Cat, Torr shook his head but said naught.
"I'll leave you to rest up for your trip. Evening is nigh." Grinning mischievously, Finnian bowed and left.
Torr growled and rubbed his face. "You must stay here, Cat, safe from the witch and Alpin. He is a miscreant, and she is pure evil."
"The Rowan cross will protect me." Cat sprang from the bed and yanked on her clothing in a blur.
"You put too much stock in the auld man's visions. Half the time, they are far off the mark."
"That matters not. I must use any opportunity to break Brodie's curse. If you have little concern that you are yourself cursed, so be it."
"I'm concerned, believe me," he muttered. "But none of Finnian's ideas for the last year have worked. Why should this?"
"Because I'm here, dear sir." She fluttered her lashes with forced coquettishness.
"Och! You think you're the magic ingredient, then."
"Indeed." She sent him a charming smile.
Torr let out a breath and shook his head. A woman of much confidence. How irritating.
Though he dreaded the coming trip, he dragged himself from the bed and washed his face in the basin.
"Why are you always speaking gloom and darkness?" she asked. "Why can you not see the pleasant side of things?" She stood behind him, stroking her hands over his bare back while he dried his face. If she wasn't careful, she would set a blaze to his desires again.
"Gavin defeated his curse, and so can you and Brodie," she said.
"Aye." Torr wanted to be enthusiastic, but 'twas difficult. "I just refuse to have high hopes only to be disappointed again."
"You must believe." She walked away and slipped out the door.
Believe? 'Twas easy to say but harder to carry out.
***
HEART POUNDING, CATRIONApaused at her closed bedchamber door and listened to see if Aggie was inside. Hearing nothing, Cat opened the door and strode in boldly, pretending all was normal. Thank goodness the room was empty.
"Whew."
Though she wasn't usually anxious, she didn't wish Aggie to ken she'd spent the day in Torr's chamber. What would her maid say if she knew? She would correctly assume Cat had been compromised because Aggie knew of her immense fondness for Torr. Then she would tell Cat's mother.
Had Aggie been in this chamber earlier wondering where Cat was? She would find her and see if she suspected anything.
Anyway, Cat refused to worry about it now. "What's done is done," she whispered.
Well and truly compromised. She grinned, her face heating. Saints! She had never imagined...
She shook her head, unable to believe the power of the sensations that had stormed through her, an inconceivable magnitude of bliss. His lean, hard weight upon her, his flexing muscles, the strength and force—she loved it all. She was his now, and he was hers.
True, he had not yet admitted his feelings for her, but he would. When she wanted something, she was not one to give up easily. She had waited near her whole life for him to love her; she could certainly remain patient a while longer.
At the height of the seduction, she had felt a wee bit apprehensive, but her fears were quickly submerged beneath the enormous waves of pleasure. Their joining had taken her to another realm, a place she had never known existed. Now, there was no other outcome she could bear except to become his wife. Sleeping in his bed every night or day would be paradise. But first, they had to shatter his curse. The only way to do that was to persuade Torr to love and trust her. Could she convince him?
She had to. There was no other option she would even consider.
After cleaning up, washing her face, changing clothes, and braiding her hair, Cat descended the stairs.
