“Rory?”
“Yes.”
“We will get you out of here.” She lifted her head off his chest. “You will be all right.”
He didn’t speak, just looked at her. Felt a surge of emotion deep in his chest. Giving in, he cupped her head and kissed her once more. God, she was sweet, her body pressed to his. He was cold, injured, and all he could think about was taking more of this woman.
“They are here.” She whispered the words against his lips and then eased off his body.
“Who?” Rory could feel himself sliding away, feel the numbing cold and blood loss taking him from consciousness now she’d left him.
“My family. You will be all right now; they will care for you.”
Rory had no wish to spend time with either her or her family. He needed to get to the nearest port and find a boat to take him back to France, but to do that he must be strong enough to deal with the men who’d betrayed him. So he would take this woman’s care and then he would leave, and justice would be his.
Chapter Three
“Kate!”
She looked up and saw a line of faces.
“Down here, Wolf!” She waved a hand.
“Thank God!” Her brother’s relief reached her.
Rory lay still beneath her hands, his eyes on hers. She could feel them, just as she could feel the pressure of his lips still. Lord, what a kiss. Even from a man who should not have the strength to do more than lie there. The frigid conditions should have negated what she felt, and yet she’d felt so much.
Her heart pounded, and her body tingled.
“You are safe now.”
“I should not have kissed you. Forgive m-me.”
She looked down at him, pressing a finger to his lips.
“There is nothing to forgive.” As the words left her mouth his eyes closed.
“Rory!” She patted his cheek but they did not open. “Help!”
Wolf came first, running down the treacherous path, taking the lead, then Dev, their eldest cousin. Max and James were next, half brothers, the latter the Duke of Raven. Her cousin Cam was there. Last was Nicholas, cousin to the Ravens and soon to be her brother-in-law.
She saw the dark hair and green eyes of those who carried her blood. The Sinclair genes were strong.
Both Myrtle and Bran started barking as the men reached them.
Kate nearly wept at the relief. This was her family, and they would see Rory safe. Essie would help heal him, and he would survive. Must survive.
“What the hell are you doing out here at such an hour?” Wolf reached her first, cursing fluently. “God’s blood, I thought you were the sister that showed a modicum of sense!” He dropped down beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, crushing her to him in a punishing hug that told of his fears.
He was big and dark, with the vivid green eyes that were a family trait, but on him and the man behind him, Devonshire, Lord Sinclair, even more so. Those eyes saw what many could not.
“Who is that?” Dev dropped down beside her. Both wore thick coats, gloves, and scarves to ward off the frigid winter sea air. They could be brothers with their physical traits and personalities.
“I was walking and found him behind some rocks. He has been shot in the shoulder and was bound hand and foot and gagged. He is so cold, we must save him.”
“Why must trouble follow this family?” Dev said, touching her cheek. “You’re cold.”
“Christ, Kate, he could have hurt you.” She was grabbed by Wolf again and held close. Kate took a moment to enjoy the warmth of him and allow her fears to ease. “I woke so quickly I fell out of bed. I knew it was you, just as Alice did when she burst into my room.”
