“A good reason to visit foreign lands to see more myself. But here and now, I’d love to make drawings of this place.” She made a face. “And I will after I get more drawing materials.”
“Didn’t you say that there’s a shop in Clanwick that carries some basic supplies? That should be a priority,” Ramsay said. “Anything they don’t carry can be ordered from Edinburgh or London.”
She looked ruefully at her injured ankle. “I’d love to go into Clanwick tomorrow, but I’d better stay home for another day or two.” She rose with some difficulty from her perch on the edge of the stone bed. “Do you think there are more buildings here that remain to be dug out?”
“I’m sure of it, but this will be a long-term project.” Enough fascinating discoveries to keep him interested for many years. He hoped that Signy would truly share his interest, because he loved the idea of working side by side with her.
“Time to head back to Skellig House,” Signy said. “Getting out of here will be harder than getting in.”
“But the visit has been worth it.” Ramsay offered his arm. “We’ll go up together. Think of me as a second cane.”
“We’ll have to figure out a better way to come and go,” Signy said as she took his arm. “Railings to hang on to while one gasps for breath?”
“Or perhaps a long ladder. Maybe stairs later.” Ramsay glanced back at the small group of houses. “For now, it’s probably best we don’t tell anyone of our discovery. I’d rather keep the souvenir hunters away until we have a better idea of what’s here.”
“That’s wise. Lucky that not many people come along this section of the coast path since there’s a shorter road inland.”
With her cane in one hand and Ramsay’s arm in the other, she grimly tackled the hillside. It looked steeper from the bottom than it had from the top. The ascent was an ordeal that left every fiber of her body limp and shaking. Twice they almost lost their footing and fell, but Ramsay had a good sense of balance as well as sheer physical strength.
Signy was grateful to find Puff grazing only a few feet away when they finally reached the top of the bluff. She crossed to the pony and draped herself over the warm, solid flank. After she caught her breath, she rasped, “I don’t think this exploration would fit your horse doctor’s recommendation to take it easy.”
“Probably not,” Ramsay said. “I hope you haven’t made your ankle worse.”
“I don’t think so, but I hadn’t realized how tiring pain is. I want to sleep the clock around.”
“And so you shall.” This time she was less surprised when Ramsay scooped her up and set her on the pony’s broad saddle.
“What shall we name this site?” she asked as Ramsay took the pony’s reins and started the trek back.
He considered. “Fiona found it, so how about Fiona Brae?”
“I like it. Fiona’s Hill. We’re making her immortal.”
Signy was hazy for the ride back to Skellig House. Every step the pony took jarred her ankle agonizingly, which left little energy for conversation or thought. Well, she’d insisted on going to Sea Cottage, and then climbing down to the newly discovered ancient homes. She wasn’t sorry for doing either thing, but she was paying the price.
* * *
On the journey back, Ramsay kept a hand on Signy’s back to steady her since she seemed halfway unconscious. When they reached Skellig House, he asked, “Are you awake?”
“Reasonably so.” She slid from Puff’s back, and her ankle collapsed under her.
Ramsay caught her before she hit the ground. When he lifted her in his arms and carried her up the steps, she muttered, “Being helpless and having you carry me around is very annoying.”
“I’m rather enjoying it.” An understatement. It had been far too long since he’d been with a woman, and Signy wasn’t just any woman. She was beautiful and warm and intelligent, strong and deeply feminine, and it was increasingly difficult to behave with any restraint. He wanted to take her to the bed and lie down with her and kiss her into a state of passionate need.
But not today. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. “Odd tastes you have, Ramsay.”
He managed to get them through the door and into the front hall without dropping her. Once inside, he called for Mrs. Donovan, who appeared quickly.
The housekeeper clucked her tongue at the sight of Signy. “The lass has done too much, I see.”
“Would you expect anything else?” he asked wryly.
“No,” she agreed. “I’ll bring up some willow bark tea and fresh bandages.”
“Don’t forget your husband’s numbing horse salve, since that seemed to help before.” He headed to the stairs. “Could you also organize a cart and a work crew of three or four people to go to Sea Cottage? It was badly damaged by the storm. We need to salvage what we can of Signy’s belongings and clean the place up so it can be repaired.”
“Yes, sir, I’ll arrange that now.” She bustled off to make the plans. Ramsay realized it was the first time she’d called him “sir.” He must be growing into the role.
