“Ye!”
Her nostrils flared. “I am not a problem. I was trying to get my horse back.”
“The horse that yer betrothed won in a game of chance from yer father?”
She gasped. A very girlish gasp. Her breasts heaving in her upset. Her cheeks reddened. Her eyes rounded. His breath stilled inside him. She was beautiful.
“Ye dunna ken the whole story,” she said.
“I dunna want to ken the whole story. I dunna give a damn.” Anguish flashed over her face. Sean felt a surprising burst of guilt across his chest but he pushed on.” I have my own problems. I dunna need yers. I want to go home.”
“I never asked for yer help! I only wanted my horse.”
“It was my horse until I returned it. Then it could be yer horse again.”
“It wasna his to give out.”
“It appears ye’re wrong!” Sean’s raised voice surprised him. He was more heated than he would expect. All he had to do was walk away from her. Just head into town, go to his room, and wait for the boat on the morrow. Instead he stood here wanting to… punch someone in the face or something just as drastic. Damn it. He couldn’t very well abandon her now.
Thomasina bit her lip to keep it from quivering. She would be damned to hell before she cried in front of this beef-witted oaf.
“I will just go take my horse. Be on my way. Ye can go home.”
She glanced around. The area felt more exposed than it had earlier.
“Ye dunna have yer horse.” Sean sounded almost reasonable.
Her suspicions piqued. “Yea, I do. She’s tethered at the green.”
“Nae. That ismyhorse. I must return her in order to get the knife back.”
“Nae.” Her knees threatened to give way. She was exhausted, like she hadn’t slept for days. She just wanted to be home with her brother and safe from their father. “Ye canna do that.”
He took a step closer. “It was not my knife to leave. I—I was irritated with one of my kinsman. I acted rashly.”
“He will understand,” she begged him.
“He will not! ’Tis of great value to him.”
What was she to do? Return home? To her father? And just accept that old man as her husband? No! Life could not be this cruel. What past transgression was she paying for? She collapsed on the ground.
“Fine. Yea. Ye should go see to this knife. Go quick.” She looked heavenward at the smattering of stars just appearing beyond the trees. “Although it may be too late. The blacksmith may be gone by now.”
She glanced back at him. “But ye can always sleep in yer warm bed. In yer solitary room. Swive the lovely red-headed wench. Then ye can return my horse, get yer treasured knife back and be off, across the sea to… what? A wife is it? An important chieftain ye serve?”
She dropped her head into her hands, no longer needing the pretense of being a strong lad. She closed her eyes. It didn’t matter. If she stayed here, her brother may come this way. He may not. He and his friends had been off stealing newborn ewes so they could come this way. Maybe. It had been a long time since their father provided for his family. He preferred to provide for himself. Strong liquor. A game of chance.
The gentle touch on her arm startled here. She straightened up. Sean kneeled beside her, smelling of horses and leather.
“I’m sorry. I will try to work this out for ye,” he said. His eyes wide in the darkness.
“Nae. ’Tis not yer problem. I’m sorry I called Daisy. I should have let ye pass and hope to catch up with her… somewhere. I dinna mean to cause ye any problem.”
She swiped at her cheek.
“Sure. Now ye look like a lad with that smear of dirt across yer face.”
“Is that all I missed? A dirty face?” Her voice was quiet. She had little left to expend on talking. No warm bed for her. No nice fire. At least her stomach was full. “Thank ye for seeing to my food.”
