Page 23 of Savage Kilted Highlander

“Have I what?” she asked blankly, unable to take her eyes from his.

“Learned yer lesson.”

She nodded. “Yes, I think I definitely have.”

“Grand, because if ye try that again and I’m nae there tae save ye, it’ll be a death sentence. Ye dinnae ken this country, and ye cannae navigate the Lowlands alone, especially nae in this weather.”

“I see you were right about that. I am sorry for being so foolhardy, for putting you in danger like that. I am very grateful that you were there to save me.” She said every word with prefect earnestness.

“Right, let’s get back tae the horses. Ye’ll need tae change intae some dry things again.”

“ I don’t have any dry things. I lost the saddle bag in the river. Everything was in there, all my clothes, jewels, and money are gone,” she explained, almost in tears.

“Ach, Constance!” It was the first time he had called her by her name, and there was something thrilling about it. Then he sighed and added, “Well, no use cryin’ over split milk, I suppose. Ye can have some of me clothes tae tide ye over until we can dry these ones out.”

She frowned. “But what about you? You need to change as well. If you get a chill, we shall be lost. Have you got enough clothes for both of us?”

“Aye, I’m sure we can make dae. And we have the blankets.”

So, they returned to the horses, and Bane doled out his remaining dry clothing from his pack. Constance took shelter behind a tree to change, but this time with no thought in her mind of escape. Of course, his clothes were far too big for her, and she had to make do with her soaking wet boots.

It was only when she emerged and felt for her locket that she realized it was gone. Immediately, she panicked. “Oh no! I must have lost my locket in the river,” she cried in distress, starting to frantically retrace her steps, hunting about on the ground to find it.

“What locket?” he asked.

“It was my mother’s. She died when I was eight, and she left it to me. It is the only thing I have left of her. I never take it off. Oh, what if it came off in the river, Bane? What will I do? I must find it!”

He obviously saw how upset she was because he said in a calm voice, “Well, if ye lost it in the river then I’m afraid ’tis gone fer good. But with a bit of luck, it fell off between here and the riverbank or when ye were gettin’ changed over there. I’ll go and check the path where we came back from the river.” He strode off to the trees, not hesitating to leave her alone. Constance did not even notice, she was so intent on finding it, feverishly searching the area around the tree.

She was in a terrible state by the time he came back, close to tears because she could not find it, thinking it was lost forever. He came up to her and held up his hand. The delicate gold locket was hanging from his finger.

“Oh, thank you, Bane! Thank you,” she cried, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “I would never have forgiven myself if I had lost it.”

“Here,” he said, turning her about gently by her shoulder, “I’ll put it on fer ye and make sure ’tis fastened properly.”

Happy to have the precious article back, she docilely stood still while he lifted the locket over her head and lowered it around her neck. She gathered up her hair and lifted it out of his way. It seemed to take forever, his fingers brushing her skin gently as he fiddled with the tiny clasp, sending tiny shivers down her back.

“What’s inside the locket?” he asked.

“A miniature portrait of my mother,” she replied a little unsteadily, for her heart was starting to race.

“Och, it must be nice tae have a picture of her, tae remember her.” Tiny little glancing touches inflamed the skin of the nape of her neck, making her shiver.

“Um, y-yes, it is. That is why it is so precious to me.”

“Aye, I can understand that.” There was a short pause. “I lost both me parents when I was young as well.”

The confession moved her. “I am so sorry, Bane. It seems we have that in common.”

“Aye. Is that a wee birth mark ye have on yer neck there?” he suddenly asked, taking her by surprise. She was rather self-conscious of it, and on instinct, immediately reached up and touched the birthmark, meeting his fingers instead. A jolt went through her, and she snatched her hand away, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment at her reaction.

“Y-yes, it is,” she repeated, struggling to compose herself, her neck tingling from his touch.

“’Tis in the shape of a wee bird,” he said softly, turning her around and tucking the locket inside the collar of her borrowed shirt.

“Yes, so I am told,” she answered, gazing up into his eyes, feeling as though her insides were melting.

“Dinnae loose that locket again, eh? Next time, ye may nae be so lucky,” he remarked.

“It seems I must thank you again, Bane,” she replied gratefully, hoping he did not notice the strange effect he was having on her.

He said nothing to that but broke their gaze and suddenly reverted to his usual gruff self. “Right, time tae be movin’ on,” he said. He draped the blanket around her shoulders again, for which she was also grateful. But her heart sank when she saw the rope in his hands.

“No! I told you, I have learned my lesson. I’ll not try to run again. Please, it is not necessary to tie me,” she said pleadingly.

“I’m sorry, but I cannae quite trust ye,” he said, almost apologetically as he tied her hands again. “I’m takin’ nay chances.” But he did not tie the rope too tightly, so as not to chafe her wrists as before. “The good news is we’re safe tae ride while we’re in the forest. The worst of the rain will have drained away by now, so the trackways should be all right, and there’s hardly any snow under the trees,” he told her.

“Thank goodness,” Constance said, letting him lift her into the saddle in front of him, realizing she was actually quite looking forward to riding with his large, warm body encircling hers. That shocked her to her core, perhaps even more than seeing him half-naked. Once again, she felt her cheeks flushing hotly.

What on earth is happening to me? Whatever it is, I do not understand it at all!