Why could she not cower like a reasonable prisoner?
Yes! She was a prisoner. Just a prisoner.
“Rabbie!” he bellowed, his eyes still locked on hers, their faces only inches apart.
The woman had yet to flinch, damn her.
He turned his voice sweet and mocking. “Are ye recovered, my lady? May we continue?”
“Continue what? My beating? I think not.”
Tearloch could not help it. He smiled. His hand still remembered the shape of her bottom as he brushed her skirts. He had been rough enough to press through the fabric, down and up again. Twice. Her rump was firm and enticingly rounded. At least he thought it was. One day soon, he would know for certain.
“A beating is a fine suggestion, but my taste for a fight has been sated today.”
Big Rabbie appeared at his elbow, and only then did the woman’s brave façade falter. She looked between Rabbie and him a time or two, then back to him. Her eyebrows rose as she waited to learn her fate.
“Rabbie, keep track of this one. Dinnae let her out of yer sight.” When he turned away, she reached out and touched his arm, briefly. He was grateful this time not to be shaking. Perhaps that kiss had relaxed him.
“Wait. Please. I need a bit of privacy.” Shuffling a toe in the dirt, she moved both hands behind her and waited for his response.
Tearloch was relieved that at least he wasn’t the only man blushing. She was blushing, too, but she stuck her chin out in any case.
“Done. Give her only a few minutes, Rabbie, then go after her. We shan’t wait long and will march until we find water.” And with that, he and his captains moved off to the north side of the dusty road, expecting the woman would behave.
Silly them.
CHAPTER NINE
Kenna would have liked a few minutes to think, but there was no time for such an indulgence. If she were going to get away, she must do so now, before the presence of herlaird and mastermade her forget her course. His hand on her breast had brought her to her senses, but had brought her body to its senses as well. And when she’d opened her eyes and saw his face lifting away, the tingling in her lips told her clearly what she had just missed.
She wanted to believe she had held still while assessing her danger, but she knew the truth. She’d been waiting for him to kiss her again. Her pride had regrettably pulled her from his arms, but oh, how she had wanted to stay put.
Wanting his attention would be the first step toward failure. If she didn’t keep her mind bent on revenge now, she would never be free to think of marriage or other things girls were allowed to hope for. What really surprised her was not anything this man had done, but the thoughts she found wandering around in her own mind. Marriage? Children? Impossible! She must be quite worn down by the day’s events.
All the more reason to get away quickly, before she forgot who she was, forgot her brother, and forgot who was responsible for his death.
Kenna judged the titan at her side to be a needy sort. His clothes were better worn than the rest. Maybe the man would like the pearl earbobs she had forgotten were still on her ears. She quickly removed them, then turned to smile up at the big man.
“Please. I need more than just a few moments to see to my needs.” She took his hand and placed the pearls on a palm that seemed as big as her face. She curled his fingers over the jewelry, turned toward the trees and didn’t look back. Surely when she didn’t return the man would understand. He may be nearly mute, but he was not stupid. The pearls might buy her just enough time to disappear.
Once secluded by shrubbery, Kenna took care of needs she had nearly forgotten, then hastened deeper into the forest. Her sturdy new boots gave her confidence as she broke into a run. The animal paths were quite easy to maneuver and when her first rush of excitement wore off, she dared a look behind her. Nothing but trees, thank goodness.
Two sharp whistles pierced the air, confirming the giant’s ready betrayal.
Kenna expected the worst—an army on horseback scouring the forest for her. They would assume she either ran straight into the forest without a thought, or she’d turn to her right to run parallel to the road in the direction from which they had come. She did neither. She veered left.
Horses would close the distance quickly despite the density of the trees, so she would need to hide, and soon. Thick bushes growing near a large fallen log would hide her, but it would be the first place they would look.
She regretted the unfortunate color of her clothes that stood out like a flag in the shadows around her. She could roll in the mud, cover herself with leaves, climb a tree…
…or surrender and next time, take the bloody horse with her.
Begrudgingly, Kenna resigned herself to the last choice. It would be difficult. They wouldn’t trust her now. She would have to try in the dead of night perhaps, unless they tied her up. In that case, she was going to need a knife.
Following her own path back, she was pleased to find she had anticipated their search correctly. Horses were moving deeper in the woods and backtracking near the road, no doubt searching for a bright white gown.
In the growing darkness, she recognized the slant of the hill and came out at the same spot where she had entered the forest, scolding herself for having given her pearls away for nothing. Maybe they would not think she had run off but had gotten lost and walked in circles for a while.
