“I see,” she said softly, obviously injured by the retraction.“Well, no one said ye needed to protect me.”
He wanted to go to her then.To take her in his arms and hold her close.To swear to protect her with his life.Forever.
But knowing what he knew now about her feelings…how much she desired him…how she’d imagined his kiss and longed for more…
Protecting her now meant protecting her fromhim.From his impulsive and intense nature.From his powerful passion.From the haste with which the storm of his desires could build and grow and overwhelm a lass.
He had to keep her at arm’s length.Forget her seductive midnight confessions.Maintain a distance that would keep her honor intact.
He owed it to her father.He owed it to her.
“’Tis a knight’s duty to protect all women,” he told her.
Carenza’s heart sank.
“O’ course.”
She’d spilled her innermost secrets to Hew.Shared her darkest desires.They’d kept each other’s confidences.Saved each other’s lives.
Now he felt as cold as the depths of a loch.
Was she truly just “all women” to him?Did he have no feelings for her?
His nonchalance hurt her.Then it irritated her.Then it made her angry.
She wouldn’t let her anger show, of course.That was not the way a laird’s daughter behaved.
But she intended to prove to him she was one woman who didn’t need protecting.
She was not some helpless damsel in distress who needed a big, strong Viking warrior to rescue her.He had no authority over her.She need not abide by his wishes.Shewouldinvestigate the thefts.Shewouldquestion Peris.And if he didn’t like it, he could mince off to the monastery and join the other monks who were hiding from the world.
“I should be goin’,” she murmured.
“Going?Where?’Tis the middle of the night.”
“’Tis All Souls Day.”
“I doubt the souls will mind waiting in the graveyard at least until dawn.”
“It doesn’t matter.I’m not tired.I slept enough fortwodays.Besides, ’tis always a difficult day for my Da.He still mourns my Ma.”
Hew nodded and sighed.“’Tis hard to lose someone you love.”
She wondered at that.Hew was yet a young man.What would he know about love and loss?
“Shall I leave ye the cheese?”she asked.
“Aye, thank you.”
She started toward the door, then remembered.“I think ye’re safe with Peris now.”
“I’m done with opium anyway.”He added softly, “But I think I would prefer your tender care anyway.”
She bit her cheek, annoyed.What game was he playing?Aloof and distancing one moment?Warm and inviting the next?
She faked a smile of apology.“I really need to look after my father today.”
He nodded.
