Chapter 18
She raked her fingers through her long auburn hair, wondering at the wisdom of choosing a perch on a ledge above the cave, open to the mercy of the endless wind, to comb out and plait her curls. 'Twas no helping it. She needed a brief respite from the males to ready herself for whatever the evening might hold. Even though 'twas a mite chilly seat, the bright sunshine did wonders for soothing her nerves.
“May I join ye?”
Alexander’s deep, gentle voice not only made her smile but also stoked the simmering need she now felt whenever around him. She’d never dreamed that lying with a man was not merely the physical sharing of bodies but could also be the stitching together of hearts and souls—if the right souls were matched. After last night, she understood this verra well.
“Yes, husband.” She so liked how that sounded. She did her best to suppress a shiver and concentrate on the over and under weaving of her tresses into a long, smooth braid that wouldna be in her way every time she moved.
Alexander lowered himself to sit on the ledge beside her. He sat as though mesmerized, watching her nimble fingers weave through her hair, his gaze following the plaiting motion of her hands.
“I like it better loose,” he said in a tone that sounded more than a little sullen.
Catriona gave him a fleeting glance as she finished one braid and started on another. “It gets in the way when it’s loose.” She tossed him a shy smile. “I’ll comb out the braids once our battle is done and we’re settled, aye?”
Alexander sat staring at her for so long without speaking, she grew uncomfortable. She tried to ignore the feeling as she wrapped the braids around her head then tucked the ends into a tight bundle at the nape her neck. After securing it all with ribbons and pins, she dropped her hands into her lap and turned to him.
“What is it?” she asked. “I see it eatin' away at ye so ye might as well say it and be done with it.”
“I dinna like ye going back there. I’d rather keep ye here where it’s safe 'til all is said and done.”
The worry in his eyes offset the stern set of his jaw. She’d forgive him much because of the amount of caring she saw glimmering in those dark eyes. “I must go. Ye ken that in your heart.” She reached out and stroked the backs of her fingers against his close-cropped beard. “I’ll be with ye and I know ye’ll keep me safe.”
His dark brows knotted together in a fierce scowl, Alexander caught her hand and brought it to his mouth for a kiss across the backs of her fingers. He hugged her hand to his cheek and gave her a look so filled with worry and apprehension, she wanted to gather him to her breast and assure him all would be well.
“I fear ye’ll hate me when I kill your brother.” He let go of her hand and looked away, squinting up at the cloudless sky.
She caught her breath at the cold harshness of his words, the words she wished he’d left unspoken so she might avoid facing for a wee bit longer what had to be done. “I willna hate ye, Alexander.”
She didna add that she’d harbor a good helping of guilt-ridden hate for herself, though. She felt in her heart that Calum had to die, much as a wounded horse had to be put down to end its misery. Calum would ne’er be right. He’d grown too settled into the evil generated from a past he couldna escape.
“It must be done,” she said low and soft, more to herself than to Alexander. She gazed across the misty blues and grays of the mountains surrounding the soft greening of the glen below. She could hardly believe her own words. How had things come to this? Her plotting the death of her twin brother.
Alexander pulled her close, cradling his arm around her and resting her head against his shoulder. They sat just so for a long moment until Catriona had to pull away. She couldna help it. This waiting made her nerves raw and set her teeth on edge. She scrambled to her feet and hugged herself as she paced back and forth across the shelf of stone.
“I canna stand this waiting. The sun willna set soon enough.” She clenched her fists then opened her hands and scrubbed the clamminess of her palms against the heavy wool of her skirts. She studied the path they would take down to the cave, then motioned for Alexander to rise to his feet and look. “The mist,” she said once he stood beside her. “We should leave now. The mist will hide us.”
Alexander scowled down at the vista below then limped to the far edge of the stone shelf and studied the path from another angle.
“Your limp is nearly gone.” Catriona pointed to his leg. She could tell the thigh muscle didna fill out his trews near as much as the other, but the leg was strengthening and gaining better form.
Alexander tore his gaze from the horizon long enough to give her a suggestive wink. “Ye gave it quite the workout, love. Ye made it stronger.” He winked again then grew serious as he pointed down the mountainside. “Ye’re right. We need to make haste now afore we lose the mist.”
He took her hand and together they made their way down from Catriona’s perch and alerted the others.
“Ye’re a wise woman, sister,” Graham said.
Graham’s kind words didna help Catriona’s guilt about getting the men involved in such a dire venture that could end so badly. She acknowledged his compliment with a shy nod. “Let’s just pray it keeps us safe, aye?”
They were saddled up and on the trail before the hour had passed. Catriona rode behind Alexander this time, arms tight around his middle. He’d insisted she ride this way so to better see the trail before him. Catriona recognized the lie for what it was. Alexander wanted her behind him because they were riding toward the enemy and he could better shield her if she sat behind him. She heaved out a sigh and rested her cheek against his back. No matter. She’d let him think she believed his lie. After all, 'twas well-intended.
None of them spoke as they wound their way through the white mist shrouding the mountain. The longer they rode, the more Catriona tensed, feeling as though she’d explode. 'Twas so difficult to gauge how far they’d ridden with Alexander’s broad back blocking her frontward view. The only thing that eased her anxiety in the least was Alexander’s muscles rippling beneath her hands and cheek and the reassuring scent of him she drew in with every breath. She sent up a silent prayer and a plea to her dear departed mother.Keep him safe. I beg ye.
The horse came to an abrupt halt and Catriona bit back a nervous squeak. She clutched Alexander tighter and waited. He patted her hand and spoke in a whisper. “We’ve reached the cave.”
She could nary believe it since the trip down had seemed so much shorter than the trip up but then she remembered, they had taken a winding route up the mountain to throw any followers off their trail to keep their hiding place secure.
Alexander helped Catriona dismount then sent Tom scurrying to recruit any allies he could find. Catriona watched the boy until he disappeared from sight, her fist knotted tight to her stomach and her silent prayers following him. Surely to goodness, help could be found in the village and amongst the crofts.
