“I’m sorry it distresses you so much.”
She glanced back at him. “This is unexpected.”
“As it is for me.”
“Of course nothing can come of it.”
“Why?”
“Ye can’t be serious. Because I don’t want this, and ye’re…” She flapped her hand at him. “You.”
“I’m me and you’re you and we’re two separate people. I understand all of that. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. Maybe I should have waited, or maybe I should have kept my feelings to myself forever, but I want you to know why I’m so concerned that you’re out here all alone.”
“I’mfine.”
“For now. But things are getting worse. My God, Cait, English soldiers were killed on my land. Until I find out who did this, no Campbell is safe.” A guilty looked crossed her face and he stilled. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing. I understand what ye’re saying, and I’m touched by yer…concern for me.”
“You’re hiding something.”
“I’m no’ hiding anything. I have a life. It’s private, and ye don’t need to know everything.”
She was right, and he was angry that she was right. If he’d thought that telling her about his feelings would make her pliant, then he was sorely mistaken. Cait would never be pliant, and that was frustrating as hell.
What was she hiding? Something other than her aid to Sutherland and the refugees he was harboring. Something worse?
“You’re right, of course. I have no business prying into your life. But please promise me that you’ll be careful.”
She seemed hesitant to do even that but finally nodded. “Very well.”
“And promise that if things get too difficult, you’ll come to me for help.”
She narrowed her eyes, apparently thinking that option through. “Very well.”
“I mean it, Cait. Don’t just say it so I’ll go away.”
She sighed. “I’m no’. I’ll be careful, and I’ll send for ye if I need anything.”
“I don’t like you helping Sutherland. What he’s doing is dangerous.”
She looked at him shrewdly. “And what ye’re doing isn’t?”
He paused. “That’s different.”
“The difference is that what Sutherland does is behind the English’s back. Ye play yer games to their face. I don’t know which is the most dangerous, but I think it might be you.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
“And I know what I’m doing. Ye have to trust me.”
“It’s not you I don’t trust.”
“Sutherland will never cause me harm.”
“I know that.” He trusted Sutherland, more so now that they’d worked together on a few things. Sutherland was a Highland warrior through and through, and he was loyal, tough, and dependable. He reminded Iain a lot of John.
They seemed to have come to an impasse. She wasn’t leaving her home or ceasing her activities, and he couldn’t force her.
