“Nae. We will not just leave ye here.”
“The Normans are hunting me down! Ye need to leave me here.”
“They will not come this way till the morrow. We have time to get ye to the coast and to another boat to take ye home.” He placed his hand on Sean’s shoulder. “Ye’re a good man for seeing after Tommy.”
Niall accepted the fish Lachlann handed to him.
“A few miles north, there’s a little village of fishermen,” Lachlann said. “There must be a handy boatmen willing to see ye across.”
Thomasina scooted her bottom close to Sean. He wanted to wrap his arm around her. Pull her closer. She leaned over a bit, a small piece of fish in her fingers. Her eyes sparkled and he stared into their depths. She was intent on watching that the fish made it to his mouth. He was intent on feeling her close the distance between them. The scent of her skin. The feel of her hand where it rested lightly on his chest. He took the food, his lips closing around her fingers.
Thomasina took a shaky breath, finally tearing her eyes from his mouth. She stared back at him, his eyes unwavering on her. Her lips parted and she smiled but it was a half-hearted smile. Melancholy.
“My thanks.”
Niall cleared his throat and stood abruptly. His expression tight with disapproval. “Methinks he may be able to feed himself, Tom. What say ye, Lachlann? Is he up for it?”
“I’ve never known eating fish to be a very taxing endeavor. Let us sit ye up a little more. Slowly so ye dunna pass out again. That’s probably far enough.”
The four ate in silence. Then Lachlann went about picking up the few things they’d taken out of their bags and put them back in preparation for leaving.
Niall blew a loud breath, his hands resting on his hips. “Well, there’s still a few hours of daylight left. We’d best get started if ye’re up to it.”
“Yea.” Sean nodded, sitting up a little more. The room didn’t shift around him. “I’m certain I can ride.”
Lachlann helped him up. “Perhaps sitting up by the fire for a few minutes while yer food settles?”
“Nae! Thomasina is not safe here.”
“He’s right. We need to leave this place.”
Riding as before, they headed north. When it was too dark to travel, they set up camp nestled in a small clearing with steep cliffs on three sides. It would be difficult for the Normans or even their father to find them here.
Sean’s body ached and he accepted the coverings offered. He was quickly asleep.
Thomasina lay beside her brother, sharing the same blanket, and watched the sun as it slowly lightened the night sky.
“Are ye asleep?” Niall’s voice was quiet and he rolled toward her.
“Nae. I’ve been waiting for the sunrise. ’Tis bitter cold here. I pray Sean is warm enough.”
“Ye care for the man?”
“Yea. He’s a good man.”
He took her hand, rubbing it between his own to help ward off the cold. “I’ve not slept much either. I fear what O’Reilly will do. I’ve all but told him ye’ve given up yer innocence to yer husband. I lied.”
“And we parted ways with him.”
“Yea. ’Tis all fine unless he decides to come after us.”
She turned on her side to face him. “Ye think he may do that?”
“He was mad as the devil at losing ye.”
Thomasina shivered and it wasn’t from the cold. “But ye told him I was a virgin no longer.”
“And he may think on it and decide I was lying. Father knew I was lying.”
