The compassion in his voice was unexpected and moving.Still, she sensed there was a “but” coming.And she refused to be swayed by his sweet words, no matter how comforting or reasonable they seemed.
“But what do you think will—”
Before he could come up with some perfectly convincing counter argument, she seized the front of his plaid in her desperate fists and blurted out, “Ye have to let him go.Hamish saved your life.Ye owe him his.”
Her gesture startled him.His eyes widened as he stared back into hers.Then his gaze drifted toward her lips.
For an instant, she wondered if he meant to kiss her.
Even worse, she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t have welcomed it.
Hew knew, if he stood there another moment, he’d toss all his honorable intentions into the abyss, gather the wet-eyed woman in his arms, and kiss away each and every tear.In this intimate situation, even the beast roaring in his braies didn’t believe him capable of restraint.
But he dared not let that beast have its way.Instead, he had to follow his heart.
Unfortunately, his heart was foolish and weak-willed.
And that was how the next unwise words spilled from his careless lips.
“Fine,” he croaked out.“I’ll do it.I’ll save your coo.”
She let out a soft, grateful cry.The sheer joy that shone in her face was worth the offer he’d made.At least in the moment.Later he’d have time to regret his promise.But for now, the way she unfurled and pressed her hands against his chest, the way her mouth fell open in wonder, the way her liquid eyes poured into his with thanks and adoration, she made him feel like her hero.
In the next moment, of course, she grew aware of their improper proximity.She was a titled lady, after all.Her father might guard her with an iron glare.But even without his supervision, she would naturally follow society’s rules.
Except, apparently, when it came to coos.
She took a judicious step backward and lowered her gaze.“My thanks, sir.”
He managed a sickly smile and let out a long breath.
God’s bones.What had he done?This was just the sort of reckless behavior that always got him into trouble.
What was he going to do now?
He had no intention of doing what she wanted most—walking away and letting her continue on her perilous journey alone through the mountains.
And he certainly couldn’t go with her.It was bad enough to confess to reiving cattle.He couldn’t afford to be accused of abducting a noblewoman as well.Not again.
“You need to return to Dunlop,” he told her.“It grows late.Your father will miss you.”
“But Hamish…”
“I’ll take him.”
“Ye don’t know the path or where I was goin’.Ye don’t know Hamish.And he doesn’t know ye.What if ye fall again?”
He grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck.She wasn’t going to like his answer.Hell,hedidn’t like his answer.But it was the only way.
“You—I’m taking back to Dunlop.The coo—I’m taking to the monastery.”
“What?Nay.”
“I’ll keep him safe,” he vowed, wondering how on earth he was going to do that.
“Ye’ll sell him,” she accused.
“Nay, I won’t.I promise.”
