No wonder he'd brought his splendid horse all the way from India. Sahib deserved oats for his supper after they returned home.
"What do you think will happen to Dawson's guards? Will they be hanged?"
David shook his head. "I don't think so. They threatened us but didn't actually cause harm. My guess is that they'll serve some time in prison, or possibly be transported. We can hope they've learned the error of their ways."
"Unlikely." After a long silence, Caitlin said, "I shot Dawson because you'd emptied both barrels of your pistol and there was no time to reload. But you're a seasoned soldier. Could you have avoided his shot without my help?"
"Perhaps, but I'm not sure," David said slowly. "Everything was happening so quickly! I'm very grateful for your swift action and steady hand. You have warrior reflexes."
"Then I'm glad I shot him." She shuddered. "And I'm glad he's dead. I don't think he would ever have given up trying to get his hands on Braewood."
"Probably not," David said. "Will Mrs. Dawson want vengeance?"
Caitlin considered. "I don't think so. The Dawsons were united in greed, but I don't think they actually liked each other very much. They seemed quite well off, so she won't starve. I should be safe now."
"I'm very glad to hear that," he said warmly.
After that, there was little conversation, but the silence was peaceful. She was deeply grateful for David's steady, understanding presence at her side.
She thought back to the horrific moment when David's life was in danger and realized with rising wonder that she seemed to have fallen in love with him. Though they'd only just met, danger and honesty had dissolved the usual barriers and brought them together.
At least she thought that was what happened. She'd never been in love so she wasn't entirely sure what love was like. But as she glanced sideway at David's calm profile, she felt that she was learning fast.
8
Fergus was properly horrified when they arrived at Dunglass and he and Anna heard the story. The guards were locked up in the cellar storeroom and Dawson's body was left in a cold shed.
After the three witnesses wrote out their statements about the day's events, Anna fed them supper and Caitlin cuddled the adorable puppies, picking one to be hers when the pup was old enough to leave her mother. Puppies were a wonderful way to relax after a difficult day.
As David and Caitlin rode back to Braewood, he could feel her bone deep fatigue, but she didn't wilt or complain. It was near dark when they reached their destination. "I'll take care of the horses," David said as they reached the back entrance to the house. "Maybe you could brew us some tea?"
"An excellent idea." Caitlin dismounted and handed Maeve's reins to David, then entered the kitchen.
After he fed and settled the horses, he spent extra time with Benjie so the gelding wouldn't feel neglected. When he entered the kitchen, Caitlin was adding a dash of whiskey to the steaming tea in the mugs. "I'm glad Anna fed us supper since I have no energy for serious cooking," she said. "But the shortbread she sent will go very nicely with the tea."
Caitlin had released her hair and the coppery locks fell charmingly around her shoulders. She looked beautiful. Exhausted. Vulnerable. Indomitable.
Irresistible.
David didn't even try to resist. He crossed the kitchen and drew her into his arms for a gentle hug. She relaxed into him and rested her head on his shoulder with a raggedsigh. "It's been a hard day," he said quietly, "but at least you no longer need worry about the Dawsons and their murderous plans."
"That's such a relief! I can't thank you enough for all you've done." She stepped from his embrace and turned to put a number of pieces of shortbread on a plate and set it by the tea mugs. After they were both seated, she raised her mug in a toast. "To peaceful times ahead!"
"Amen to that!" He clinked his mug against hers and they both drank. "Tea and shortbread. I'm so glad to be back in Scotland."
"There is no place like home." Her expression suddenly solemn, Caitlin studied his face. "How married are we?"
He became very still. "Even though we made our vows as a way to disconcert Dawson, we made them in front of witnesses. I'd say…we're as married as we want to be?"
She swallowed hard. "That's an interesting thought."
"I'd already stated my intention of courting you once your affairs were sorted out," he said quietly. "Now they are."
"Traditionally a hand fast was for a year and a day, wasn't it?" She bit her lip. "So we could try marriage to see if we like it?"
David felt as if Sahib had kicked him in the stomach. He began to laugh. "I'm not sure whether to be delighted or appalled! I would dearly love to for us to be truly wed, but it's alarming to think that for a year and a day I would be on trial. What if you decide on the last day that I am too dull and annoying to keep as a husband?"
She gave him a smile that was half rueful and half mischievous. "I don't think that will happen. I would dearly love to lie with you tonight. If we do, we can see how we feel about marriage tomorrow morning?"
