Chapter 5
“Are ye in need of anything?”
“Your company if ye be of a mind to give it.”
Alexander kent verra well he was acting a stubborn, demanding arse, but he didna care. Nothing soothed him like Catriona. The woman was a balm to his soul and gave him a brief respite from the gnawing guilt of his failure to protect Clan MacDonald. He’d watched her all morning. She'd flitted in, out, and around the great hall like a wee sparrow tending her nest. 'Twas time she sat and visited with him for a while.
“I see.” Catriona motioned toward Magnus and Graham where they sat on either side of him. Her expression told him loud and clear she was privy to his self-serving antics but was willing enough to indulge him. “Ye have your brother and your friend here visiting with ye. Is that no' company enough?”
Magnus barked out a laugh and rose from his seat beside the hearth. “Come, Graham. I believe they have dismissed us good and proper.”
Graham stood and gave Catriona a polite bow. “Ye have the patience of a saint, m’lady, a true saint.” He turned to Alexander and nodded. “I’d call ye selfish, brother, but were the situation reversed, I canna say I wouldna do the same.” He nudged Magnus as they meandered away. “Would ye no' druther the company of the lass to Alexander?”
“Aye. I would at that,” Magnus said in a loud voice as he glanced back at Alexander and gave him a wink.
Alexander ignored them and motioned toward the chair beside him. “M’lady.” He shifted in his own seat, flinching against the pain the movement stirred. He resettled the foot of his injured leg on the pillowed stool in front him, damning the weakness for the shackle it was.
His discomfort didn’t escape Catriona. Perched on the edge of the seat, she made to rise again. “I’ll fetch your tonic. 'Tis nearly time for another cup of herbs.”
“Nay.” Alexander stayed her movement with a touch to her wrist. “Talk with me. Time with ye will ease the pain more than any herb.”
Catriona’s fair skin flushed at the compliment, twin patches of rosy red highlighted her fine cheekbones and spread to hide the light dusting of freckles across her nose. “I’m pleased to see ye’ve improved much. Grown stronger and left your bed longer each day.” Her mouth tightened, and she grew serious, glancing down as her voice fell to little above a whisper. “Ye will take leave of us soon, I expect?”
The more time spent with Catriona, the more disturbing Alexander found the thought of leaving. Each time the unpleasant subject reared its head, he’d push it to the back of his mind. He couldna face that prospect just yet. He’d deal with that when the time for leaving came. His heart lightened as the howling wintry wind chose that moment to rattle the windows in their casings. “If ye feel ye can bear our company, we would most certainly appreciate your hospitality ‘till winter eases its hold on the land.” He nodded toward the ice-encrusted windows. “‘Twould be vicious hard traveling through such as this.”
“Oh, aye. 'Tis true.” Catriona’s quick agreement bolstered his spirits even more. She leaned toward him, her sweet smile lighting up her face. “Especially with ye and your brother weak as ye are from your wounds. A wise man would delay any travels 'til spring. The drifting snow in the passes can be verra treacherous.” She glanced away, turning aside as though checking on the servants cleaning the candlesticks lined along the top of the whisky cabinet. “We can only hope poor Calum returns home safe from wherever he’s gone.” Catriona’s tone did not convey the slightest sincerity or worry about her brother’s welfare.
Alexander couldn’t help but laugh. “Agreed.”
Since she’d been the one to speak the devil’s name, Alexander couldna resist prying. As they’d spoken each day, they’d worn through the words of polite niceties that were prim and proper, avoiding anything too personal. He tired of skating around the subject that truly piqued his interest. He wanted to know Catriona, and all that was her life. A pang of leeriness twitched through him. Was it ill-fated to get closer to the lass? Would that no' make his leaving all the more difficult? He swallowed hard and shoved the leeriness away.T’hell with it.He’d leave those worries for another day.
“Tor Ruadhis a fine keep,” he said with a nonchalant wave of one hand toward the entire room.
“I thank ye.” Although Catriona gave him a polite nod, Alexander didna miss the slight narrowing of her eyes accompanying her correct by society's standards response.
“I understand your father is quite ill.” He’d ne’er been good at dancing around with words but he had to figure out a way to ask the woman why the blazes she hadna married and moved away from what appeared to be her own personal hell. He realized 'twas none of his affair but he wanted to know. Mayhap he could…help her. He’d heard rumors about Chieftain Gordon Neal and seen firsthand the cruelty of his son. Catriona still bore the fading bruise along her jawline that angered him every time he saw it.
“Father has been unwell for some time. Seems to have started when my mother died.”
“Mourning can do that to a soul.” Although Alexander doubted verra much that was what ailed the Neal chieftain—not if the rumors were true.
“Doubtful. Mother died a little over nine years ago. Closer to ten.” Catriona frowned down at her folded hands nestled in her lap. A controlled sigh escaped her. “Some would say paying for one’s sins might cause one’s health to fade.” She cleared her throat and lifted her gaze, allowing it to follow the maids moving about the room sweeping and dusting. “But no matter. He bides his time in his rooms now, leaving everyone else in peace.”
“Everyone but yourself.” Perhaps he shouldna have said that, but the words sprang forth as though he had little control of them. A sense of thankfulness washed across him when Catriona didn’t react, just acted as though she hadn’t heard him. “I’m surprised Calum hasna claimed the chief’s seat for his own.” She must no’ mind his prying. She hadna risen from her chair and stormed away. He had to find out more.
Her scowl shifted to a perplexed look as she stared off into space. Catriona gave the barest shake of her head. “Calum willna cross Father—no' even in his ever-weakening state.” She turned and met Alexander’s gaze. “He fears him, I think, even now.”
Alexander reached out, slid his fingers under Catriona’s forearm, then scooped up her hand and held it in his own. “Why are ye still here, Catriona? Why have ye no husband and children of your own?” There. He’d asked the question that had burned inside him, plaguing him more and more each day. He needed to know Catriona’s story.
“I promised Mother I’d protect her clan.” Catriona stared down at her small pale hand that disappeared within his grasp. “I swore to it on her deathbed.”
“Such a waste,” Alexander said then flinched. He’d not meant to speak the words aloud.
Jerking her hand away, Catriona tucked it back into her lap. “An oath is an oath,” she said as she stared downward, head bowed as though in prayer. With a deep breath, she lifted her chin and gave him a look that sent a chill down his spine. “Besides—why would ye, a mercenary such as ye are, concern yourself with whether I’m wasted or no'? Ye will move on as soon as ye’re healed and the snow melts.Tor Ruadhand all who dwell within it will be forgotten.”
She challenged him. He’d pried into her secrets, stirred her defenses, and now she challenged him. Time to tread with care. He shifted in the chair, laced his fingers over his middle, then tapped his thumbs together as he proceeded with caution.
“Kindness is ne'er forgotten,” he said. He dared to meet her irritated stare. “Ye saved my life and the life of my kin. How could I ever forget such a thing?” He’d never forget her. Her kindness. Her caring. Her courageous fire. He kept his gaze locked upon her, memorizing every feature. The lustrous copper of her hair. The creaminess of her skin highlighted with a dusting of freckles. Those tempting curves. Such enticing softness. Her scent.Nay.He’d never forget her so long as he lived. “I’m indebted to ye, Catriona, and I thank ye for all that ye’ve done.”
