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He was flattered that she seemed pleased at the prospect, though he could not be sure if it were because of him or simply to be rid of Paris.

“I shall ask him,” he promised.

She smiled a pretty, curvy smile at him and he was captivated. He actually thought he might blush. Instead, he rose swiftly as to not give himself the opportunity.

“Try and sleep now,” he told her. “You will be safe, I promise.”

She nodded and crept beneath the furs, tugging at the too-long surcoat as it tangled around her feet. He watched her twist and turn before finally quieting. After several minutes, he was sure she had fallen into an exhausted sleep and moved to pour himself another cup of wine. Picking up the decanter, he realized he could use some sleep himself; it had been an exceedingly long day.

“Sir Kieran?” she called softly.

He turned to her. “My lady?”

“I am cold. Are there any more furs?” she asked.

He glanced around him. The tent had indeed grown icy but he saw no more furs. The brazier had gone out completely. As a warrior, he was used to extreme temperatures and had not noticed the chill.

“Nay, my lady, I see none.”

She gave a little groan and tried to burrow deeper under the skins. He watched her twist and shake for a moment or so, debating whether he should send his squire to scavenge more furs. But he decided against it because it would have done little good; the chill was seeping up through the ground upon which she lay. She needed another source of heat.

Kieran sat the cup down. Going over to the pallet, he stripped off the furs while she angrily sat up and glared at him.

“What are ye doing, Sassenach?” she demanded hotly.

He put his hands on his hips. “Do you want to be warm?”

She stuck out her rosy lower lip. “What are ye intending – to throw me in the fire?”

He cocked his brow. “If that is what it takes, I will gladly. But I had another less painful idea.”

“What is it?” she asked, wrapping her arms around her shivering body.

He opened up his arms as if to display his physique. “As you said yourself, I am big. And this big body is exceedingly warm. You may use the warmth, if you so desire,” he said.

Her eyes widened but to his surprise she did not get angry. Instead, she looked rather subdued and thoughtful. Thoughtful but hesitant. A sudden chill raced down her spine and she shook hard. She should be angry, outraged, at the very least at what this Sassenach was suggesting. Yet, for some reason, she could not muster the steam. She truly was freezing, and there was something about the man that made her want to trust him. With a reluctant sigh, she looked up at him.

“Very well,” she said quietly. “I accept.”

He lay down, turning so his back was facing her. Jemma immediately pressed her icy body against him and was thrilled to discover that he was, indeed, hot. He jumped when he felt her chilly hands press themselves flat against his back and she giggled.

“So you think it is funny to put your cold hands on me?” he demanded, but he was smiling.

Her face was pressed against his spine and she could feel his heat thawing her. “Aye, it is funny when ye jump as if I just pinched ye. How can ye be so sensitive?”

“I am not, usually,” he said. “But you are as cold as ice.”

She pressed against him tighter, purely for warmth. “I told ye I was, Sassenach.”

They lay there together in the darkness for several long minutes. Jemma was tired, but for some reason, her eyes kept opening and she kept staring at his wide back. It was the closest she had ever been to any man, other than her father and brothers, and she found it exciting. Even if he was English.

But the man didn’t act as a typical English knight, not like the others. He was gentler, even for his immense size, and his smile was genuine. She was puzzled, but at the same time, she liked him and chose to overlook the fact that the man was a sworn enemy. And she didn’t even hate herself for her treason, although she would die before admitting it to her cousin. Surely a greater hypocrite never lived.

He shifted and nearly crushed her leg. She screeched and he immediately moved away, flipping over to face her with amazing agility for a man his size. His brown eyes were wide with concern.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Fine,” she said as she rubbed her leg where his weight had come down on her.