Page 36 of Highland Storm

Making her way quickly away from the glow of the camp fire, she felt giddy, even without the aid of spirits and deep down, she realized it must be that kiss—that remarkable moment by the brook, when Keane touched his lips to her own. He had a way about him that made her melt into his arms, and even now, her legs felt like pudding beneath her as she searched about for a secluded place to minister to her needs.

Forsooth, when she considered where she’d been only yesterday, the gods had surely blessed her. Of all the men she might have happened upon in her flight, she had somehow found him. Keane was a good man, she decided. Fair-minded. Strong and capable and ready to do his duty. Humble enough—but just enough. Although no one would ever accuse the man of lacking confidence. He exuded it from every pore of his being, and still there was little arrogant about him. He was born to lead, and she watched his every gesture with a sense of wonder. He did not shout his men down, nor did he toss them about with threats. He spoke firmly, issuing commands without a backward glance to see that any were obeyed. And then in the same breath, he showed kindness, caring for them as a mother might. Lianae supposed she understood why, for it made one feel as though he valued them. And even she felt as though she belonged with him—as though she had known him for years—as though he were her devoted guardian.

It was a strange feeling.

Although she realized she shouldn’t dwell on him overmuch, it couldn’t be helped when the first thing he’d done upon returning to camp—even before preparing food or boiling their tea—was unwrap Lianae’s foot and set her bindings to dry near the fire.

Despite that the wool was weather-tight, it grew damp whenever she walked in them too long, and he’d promised to find her a good pair of shoes the instant he could. Once the bindings were dry, Lianae had insisted upon wrapping her feet herself. Not even her mother had coddled her quite so much!

And despite all that she was feeling, she had begun to consider that maybe she should slip away at the first opportunity, but she lacked the desire to go. Cold as they were, hungry as they’d been, there suddenly seemed no safer place to be than with Keane. But that made no sense. She didn’t know the man.

Would he treat her so kindly if he realized who she was?

Not a one of his men seemed even remotely curious over discovering aught about her. Either they had decided a woman in their company was of little import, or it truly didn’t matter to them from whence Lianae had come. Alas, she believed it was the former. And likely they believed she was a runaway, nothing more, nothing less. Judging by the dress she wore, they would easily have mistaken her for an English sympathizer—like King David and all his minions.

Now she considered her options. It was all well and good to pretend for awhile, but there would come a time when she must leave, no matter how safe Keane made her feel. She must find her missing brothers, and if it was the last thing she ever did, she was going to make William fitz Duncan pay for what he’d done to Elspeth. Now that Lianae was no longer in fitz Duncan’s grasp, vengeance would be hers to give and it would be so very sweet. No matter how much she enjoyed Keane’s company, that was not something he would agree to do for her—that much she knew for truth. However, kind he might be, he was still loyal to David mac Mhaoil Chaluim. And David was William’s fitz Duncan’s king. Thus Keane was her enemy, whether she liked that truth or nay.

One didn’t crave to kiss one’s enemy.

But yet she did.

And more.

In fact, if Lianae didn’t leave soon, she might find herself thinking with her heart and not her head. For the love of Cailleach! She was already thinking with her heart, though once she found her brothers, Ewen and Graeme, they would know exactly what to do. She had so much to tell them both—about their sister and Lulach’s betrayal.

As for Keane, she owed him naught, she reminded herself. Naught more than kindness. Despite that she longed to give him the truth—or at least as much of the truth as she could bear to give without endangering her cause—she could afford to say nothing at all.

But maybe she could tell him she was searching for her brothers, without revealing who they were. She must also learn his destination, so she could make plans to leave before the chance had passed. And yet despite the fact that Keane wasn’t a part of her future—she didn’t dare amuse herself with that notion—there was much she wished to learn about him, so much she wished to share.

But not this!

The instant her necessaries were completed—thankfully—she heard someone approach through the brush, and she hurried to repair herself, thinking it must be Keane. “I am fine!” she shouted.

“Ho, what have we here?” a male voice asked.

It wasn’t Keane.

Startled, Lianae focused her gaze on a dark figure that came ever nearer, footsteps tramping noisily through the snow. But there wasn’t just one, there were three shadows approaching, their silhouettes black against a pale, moonlit sky.

“Looky here,” the man said. “It’s a wee lassie.”

“But can she can piss and wield a dagger all while brushing her pretty haid?”

Hushed male laughter followed the impertinent question.

Lianae’s heartbeat faltered. None of the voices were even remotely familiar. She tamped down a lump of fear that rose in her throat as three men now stood between her and her destination.

“She has something far deadlier than a dagger.”

Keane!

Lianae had never been more grateful to hear the sound of a man’s voice. She bolted toward her two-time savior, relieved unto death that none of the strangers attempted to stop her.

“Aye?” asked the newcomer. “And what might that be? A bonny smile?” He didn’t sound overly concerned over Keane’s arrival and one of his men sniggered.

“Me,” Keane said, and there was an unmistakable threat in his voice.

“Is that so?”