Sean was right there, kneeling beside her. His hand caressed her back with a light touch. “I ken ye’ve been through a lot. Such things are a trial even to a seasoned warrior.”
She searched his face. “I am afraid.”
He settled on the ground and gathered her in his arms, her head against his solid chest. The heat poured off him.
The sound of his heart beating steadily was like a balm, a reassurance that they were alive. He was alive. She rubbed her face against him, snuggling closer. He tightened his hold on her.
“Wheesht now, lassie.” He bent his head toward her, his lips close to her ear. She felt the warmth of his breath. A shiver traveled down her spine. “’Tis over. ’Tis done with.”
She wrapped her arm around his torso, wanting him closer still.
“Wheesht.”
“What goes on here?”
Thomasina’s eyes flew open. Fear leaped to life within her, closing off her lungs. She shoved off the strong chest of the man to stand and face her worst nightmare. Her father.
“What are ye doing, girl? Have ye given up the only thing of value ye have to this ruffian?”
Sean stood as well, more slowly. She sensed the tension in him at the insult. Her eyes bore into the disheveled man before her. His eyes bloodshot. Jowls wagging with his angry words. Her sire. She didn’t speak. She couldn’t speak.
“Did ye hear me? Are ye going to leave me standing here without an answer?” He put his fisted hands to his hips and glanced around the cave. “Yer brother here as well?”
He didn’t appear drunk but it had been a very long time since she’d seen him sober. Sean stood beside her.
Her father took a step closer, bending his head back to look up at Sean. “And who to hell are ye? And what are ye doing with yer arms about my only, precious daughter?” His lips curled into a menacing scowl. “Or did ye not realize she was a lass?”
“I realized she was a lass.” Sean’s voice steady. A stern visage.
Her father faced her, his eyes surveying her clothing as if she were covered in manure. “What were ye thinking? I’ve nothing else to give the man but yer virginity.”
She swallowed hard. “The man? The one yesoldme to?”
“Who to hell else would want ye?” Without warning, he yanked her arm and pulled her away from Sean. He made as if to grab her back but her father’s eyes widened in warning. “Dunna be getting involved with something that is none of yer concern.”
Sean relaxed his stance. Like a strong, solid oak tree. Unmovable.
Her father’s face close to hers, she could smell his foul breath. “Answer me. Have ye been spreading yer legs for this one?”
A hysterical laugh echoed in her head. She would not let it out. One long breath steadied her nerves. Her arm hurt from the tight grasp her father had of her. He shook her.
“Do ye hear me? Ye’ve no value at all without yer virginity. Are ye going to tell me what I need to know? Are ye this man’s whore now?” His voice rasped in his anger. “Or are ye still innocent?”
“I have never been innocent with ye as my father.”
The slap was hard against the side of her head. It sent her to the ground. Her ear rang, disorienting her, but she was aware of Sean bending toward her.
“Stand back now.” Her father was giving the orders. “Unless ye’ve wed her—and I dunna see why ye would if she’s giving it away—she’s my responsibility and I’ll see to her as I see fit.”
Sean moved away, his feet shifting behind her.
“She is not giving it away.” Sean’s voice sounded reasonable, even keeled, but she recognized the barely held emotions filling his words. He was ready to erupt. She shook her head to clear it and came to stand beside her father. He was a bastard and she didn’t want Sean to have to deal with him.
“He has not touched me.”
The words squeezed her heart. She lied. He had touched her. Deeply. He had reached down inside and offered her acceptance of who she was. Dressed as a lad or not. It didn’t matter to him. She didn’t have to explain. He made her want something more than the constant ridicule and criticism that was her life.
“Then get on yer horse. Now.” Her father’s tone was final. “Yer betrothed is waiting on ye unless he’s lost all interest.”
