“Will ye behave until I return?”
She just stared at him, unblinking. It was eerie. He forced himself not to glance at her. He did not know why but this lass had something about her. Something attractive even to a heart of stone like his.
“Craig!” he called. The man entered. Duncan glowered at him, “watch her.” When Craig saw the tied hands, and his eyes lit up but he didn’t dare laugh.
Duncan tied the girl to Craig, then stalked out without a backward glance. His meeting with Bryce, Lucas – Bryce’s second in command – and a couple other men lasted a short while.
They were in unanimous agreement. It was time to return home. “Lucas, I want you to lead our warriors back tae Campbell,” Bryce said.
Duncan had an oncoming headache. He knew that meant Bryce wanted to travel home with him. He just hoped it was not for the reason he guessed. “Why?” he asked.
Bryce gave an innocent shrug, “I have an important meeting with the laird.”
Duncan narrowed his eyes. And why dae I ken nothin’ about this meetin’?”
“Tis nae important tae ye,” Bryce supplied. He shifted his gaze to the map they’d spread on the platform between them. “We will go through here,” he pointed. “The men can rest by the water.”
Duncan glanced at the direction. Silently, he acknowledged his friend’s kindness in wanting a cool resting place. But he had to speak the truth. “’Tis through a village that was recently attacked. We will encounter destitute villagers. Our clans are filled tae capacity an’ our supplies will be depleted. Also, it is the longer way. This path,” he pointed, “shields us from that delay.”
As he spoke, he realized that was the actual reason why Bryce had suggested the road.
“We have more than enough,” Bryce the great romantic quipped stubbornly. “And the men should wash and appear presentable to their families.”
Duncan rolled his eyes, grunting. “I dinnae ken how ye survived this long.”
Bryce grinned, knowing he’d won. How could Duncan insist for long? He knew those villagers needed help. But since he had assumed the role of the eldest son, he’d had to toss some heroic ideologies. His priority was always the men and people under his care.
They discussed other details of the journey and then he returned to his tent, where he found Craig grinning at something the little wench had said. He paused, startled by the other man’s ease with her and the curve of her smile, the way it lit her eyes. His heart gave a squeezing tug, then started to race. He hoped that Craig had not been by her sweet tongue. Their conversation died when he was noticed. He motioned for Craig to stay, while he gathered his belongings in a sac, in preparation for their departure. Both watched him silently.
Then he walked out again. Having secured some soup and a bread, he returned. He dumped both on her lap. “Eat, we have a long way ahead.” He avoided Craig’s eyes.
His gaze flickered over to her face when she wouldn’t speak. “’Tis nae poisoned, if I wanted ye dead, I would’ve killed ye when ye kicked me calves.”
Unexplainably annoyed, Duncan left, carrying his stead’s saddle. Craig offered to do all of it, but he was silenced with a look. On his way out, he heard her ask, “is he always that grumpy?”
Craig, that idiot, had the effrontery to laugh. He encountered the horse that’d she’d stolen. A cursory glance told him she was no ordinary stead. She was used to refined treatment and was a rare breed. He decided to have one of the men ride her to his manor. It would be part of his spoils.
His mind flashed to her kicks and he suppressed a smile. She had probably forgotten the weapon she had concealed there and he had of course not said a thing. Duncan decided to watch herclosely. He was no stranger to the dangers of the war and if she spoke the truth, then maybe those English bastards had truly captured her.
He paused and steeled his heart. That was one of the reasons why the laird had lamented his brother’s death, because Duncan was considered the softer of the two. Rather than concern himself with improving his swordsmanship and polishing his battle skills, his head had always been stuck in the clouds. That was why he’d gotten along with Bryce so well at the time. Then Jaime’s life had been cut short, yanking the laird’s mantle on his shoulders.
He couldn’t be soft now. It was a harsh world. For all he knew, the woman with her bewitching face was exactly what he feared. His mount snorted and pulled him back to the present.
He called one of his men to take care of the stolen horse and then went to Craig’s tent to help the man gather his things as well. Duncan wasn’t was avoiding the woman. Craig’s hand was broken and he hated to have his things touched by strangers, so Duncan just wanted to help.
Duncan busied himself with the task, pausing for food along the way. The sun had already gone down and the time of their departure was nearing. When he entered his tent, the two inside fell silent once more. He passed her porridge and another lump of bread with water.
“Take the discarded dishes and prepare for leaving,” Duncan informed Craig while he untied her.
The men marched in a long line of horses. A while back, she’d spotted Minnie, ridden by a big warrior. Her heart had danced, grateful to Duncan. Then she looked down and her face darkened again with annoyance.
“I’m nae running, I dinnae understand why I have tae be tied to you,” she grouched.
“Because ye’re a little hellcat,” his voice rumbled behind her. At the ‘little’, Grace rammed her elbow into his abdomen. A second later, she was repressing a wince. The man’s abdomen was a hard wall. His chuckle infuriated her even more.
“Dae that again, I want tae feel ye squirm,” he drawled next to her ear.
“I will, and next time it will be aimed downwards.”
