Lachlann rifled through the mantle’s folds to retrieve some figs. His father’s medallion flashed from amongst his belongings that created a hollow in the fabric. Indecision clawed at him. Pick it up or leave it? In the end, the decision was made for him. The lass lifted it, still cradled in the soft cloth he’d had it wrapped in, and gently brought it closer to inspect.
A sudden, overwhelming sense of being totally exposed made Lachlann catch his breath. With great care she unwrapped the only connection he had to the man who had sired him.
“This is lovely.” Her fingertip lightly grazed the metal. “Such intricate carvings.” She looked up at him with a reverent expression. “This belongs to ye?”
“It does.” An immense sense of pride swelled in his chest. “’Tis from my father.”
“An important man, truly.” She emphasized the wordimportant. “So, ye must be as his son.”
He scoffed, uncomfortable with such an assessment. “Long ago times. Things were different then. My father was never known to me. Leastwise, not that I can remember.”
Her lovely eyes rounded with sympathy, and he had the definite impression she knew exactly what he meant. A great warmth spread out from his belly and left him breathless. And surprisingly speechless.
“A treasured object.” She quickly wrapped the medallion in the cloth with trembling hands. “Forgiveness, please. I dinna mean to intrude.”
Lachlann placed his hand over hers. “Not an intrusion.”
He accepted the small bundle she handed him, righted his satchel, and placed the medallion back in the bottom before returning the other scattered items on top of it.
The dark bread and most of the cheese gone, Finn sat back with his mouth flapping as he chewed loudly on the figs.
“Finn!” The lass might be trying for a stern tone, but the twinkle in her eye said something else.
Lachlann grinned. “A drink would be good about now.”
Before the lad could respond, she stood abruptly and glanced about. “We’ve kept ye too long. Forgiveness, please.” She seemed embarrassed. “Our thanks for yer kindness.”
“My pleasure.” Lachlann meant it and stood as well. “Is there somewhere I can bring ye?”
She was making her way to the road. The closer they got, the quicker her pace became.
“My thanks for the offer,” she said, clearly distracted. “There is no need.”
Her eyes landed somewhere behind him. When he scanned the same direction, he saw no one.
Lachlann replied, “It appears there may indeed be a need.”
Her eyes stilled their darting about long enough to focus on him. He swore he felt the weight of that gaze all the way to the soles of his feet.
“I promise ’twill be my pleasure,” he added.
Just as quickly, the spell was broken. She clutched Finn’s hand in her own. “We’ve kept ye long enough.”
She all but dragged the lad, his little legs struggling to keep up, as they headed toward the next stall and away from him.
Lachlann would have called her back, followed her at the very least, but decided against it. He didn’t want to call any undue attention her way, not when he was at such a disadvantage. He didn’t know who she was running from.
She had shown him open admiration, and his heart warmed at the memory. It was not admiration for his ability with the sword. That feeling he knew quite well. It was admiration for who he was, who his father had been. The awe and acceptance in her expression had stirred something deep inside. With all the priest’s belittling of him, Lachlann was unfamiliar with such feelings. Although he’d preferred to have stayed with her, she had been too afeared to remain.
With a fierce and sudden urge to protect that he preferred not to examine too closely, he headed in the direction she’d been watching. He needed to learn who had prompted her to leave in such haste.
Ah! A noble cause indeed. Of course, finding whoever stalked her would require he approach her again. There was no help for it.
He beamed.
The need to reassure her, to let her know of his success in protecting her…it couldn’t be avoided. Nor should it be. The lass’s concern was obvious. When he did so, mayhap he’d find the opportunity to ask her more about the caves.
Chapter 9
