Shame her clan?
Her worry must have show in her face, for Hew’s manner changed at once.
“Oh, sweetheart, what’s wrong?”His voice was tender.Earnest.Full of concern.
He should not have called her ‘sweetheart,’ of course.It was far too familiar a term.But the endearment touched her heart and brought tears to her eyes.
“I’ve ne’er taken…”
“Opium?”
She nodded.
“To be honest, neither have I…until now.”
“What if I make a fool o’ myself?”
“DidImake a fool of myself?”he asked.
She shook her head.He hadn’t.Not exactly.Hehad,however, grown rather loose-lipped.For him, it was of little consequence.He didn’t have the responsibilities or expectations that she had.
“I won’t let you do anything foolish.I promise,” he assured her.He took the cup from her and set it back on the table.“Do you trust me?”
That was a hard question.She’d known him such a short time.And he’d proved himself a capable liar.But he was aspiring to the church.Her heart and her instincts told her he was worthy of her trust.
“Aye.”
“Then you’ll stay here with me, and I’ll look after you.”
“Ye’d do that?”
“Of course,” he scoffed.
“But how will ye stay awake?”
“I can do without the medicine.”
“But your hand…”
He shrugged.“I’ve been hurt worse in battle.”
“Ye have?”She couldn’t imagine.She’d seen a few men who’d been hurt worse.They’d died shortly afterwards.
“Aye.”Then a glimmer of mischief entered his gaze.“I’d show you the scar.But ’tis in a spot not meant for innocent eyes.”
Her face grew instantly hot, and she looked shyly away.But she couldn’t help wondering exactly where he’d been wounded and if he was still whole.
“Eat another oatcake,” he suggested.“It might dilute the effects of the opium.”
That was a good idea.She would eat another oatcake.Then she would lie down on her pallet.With any luck, she would drift immediately off to sleep.
Under no circumstances would she do what Hew had.Blurt out her secrets.Confess her sins.Share her dreams.Or bare her heart.
Not today, but soon, Hew was going to break his vow of chastity.
He could feel it.
His head throbbed.His hand burned.His forearms sizzled with pain.But the desire flowing through him overpowered all earthly discomforts, like a soothing balm for his heart.
