“So, where is it you’re going again?” she asked.
“I was planning on paying a visit to the young Himself, as the locals call him,” Nathaniel said. “I think you should come with me so I can keep an eye on you.”
She frowned at him. “I thought you wanted me to go away.”
“I wanted and still want you to be safe. I have madness to solve.” He supposed he didn’t need to elaborate on that. “Until it’s solved, I want you safe. But apparently that now means I must keep you near me for great stretches of time.”
“Well,” she said with a shrug, “if you have to.”
He wasn’t sure if the thought was appealing or repulsive to her, but she wasn’t losing her breakfast over the railing, so he decided to reserve judgment. He walked with her over to his car, then opened the door for her. She looked inside, then froze. She simply stood there for a moment or two, breathing lightly, before she looked up at him.
“What’s that?”
“I think you know.”
“I don’t think I want to talk about it.”
He smiled wearily. “Welcome to my life.”
She looked at him for so long, he began to feel a little uneasy. She said nothing else, but simply slid into her seat, shifting his sword a bit so they both would fit. He walked around his car, got in, then drove them to the village for a quick croissant and something warm to drink. Thus fortified, he made for Patrick MacLeod’s house and hoped he would manage to get away from the place with equal ease.
He realized once he’d stopped in Patrick’s courtyard that Emma hadn’t said anything since they’d left the village. He looked at her to find her looking at the castle.
“Why again are we here?”
He sighed. “I have some questions for him.”
“And you thought you would get better answers from him if you had your sword?”
“That’s the price of admission.”
“There are rumors about him down at the pub,” she said slowly, “but I dismissed them.” She glanced at him. “What do you think?”
“I’m not sure you want to know,” he said, “but I might have a better opinion in an hour or two if you’re really curious.” He got out of the car, walked around to open her door for her, then retrieved his sword after she’d gotten out. He took a deep breath and looked at her. “Assuming I survive the morning.”
“I’ll rush to your defense if you need it.”
He propped his sword up against his shoulder and shut the door, then smiled. “Could you?”
“My brothers would probably have an opinion on it.”
“I think I would like to meet them in a darkened alley sometime.”
“My hero,” she said seriously.
“You might think differently when you’re carrying me back to the car and tucking me into bed tonight, but I’ll claim that title for as long as I can.”
She glanced at his sword, then met his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about the past few days.”
“I understand.”
She looked at him gravely. “Thank you.”
He attempted a smile. “You’re welcome.”
“I’m sorry I put you in that position.”
He reached out with his free arm and pulled her close, mostly so she wouldn’t see his eyes growing red. “Dinnae fash yerself, lass,” he murmured. “We’re likely just imagining it all anyway.”
