“On the other hand,” Bryce said. “It does appear our three menaces are nae havin’ a good time of it. I’m just glad the blaedy English choke on their own blood.”
Men around him echoed. “An’ die on it…” serially. “Aye, I’ll drink tae that…!” Jo’s face paled in the midst of the gory descriptions flying around. Fighter or not, she was probably unused to their level of crudeness. He was right. A moment later, with a sweep of her hair, she excused herself from the group.
She staggered a bit, and Duncan rushed to hold out his hand. But she steadied herself, picked up her skirt and walked toward the back of the camp, her back straight and her head held high.
Duncan downed his drink. The place she’d vacated felt numb and empty. He told himself it was because he’d been without the company of a woman for too long. He followed her, before his feet could convince him to do otherwise. When he caught Craig’s eyes, the other mouthed, “you’re finished,” then saluted him with his glass.
Her footsteps slowed as she neared the back of the quiet river. It had to be connected to the one they’d seen a few days back. There, with the pale moon reflected in its dark surface, Grace allowed her true self to surface. She dry-retched several times,recalling how Bryce had mentioned the English choking on their own blood.
Dizzy, she sat on the ground, with her head on her knee. She took steadying breaths, working out the knots in her chest. Still, all she could conjure in her mind, was the picture of her beloved father, bowed over and choking on his blood, while the Highlanders laughed at his misfortune.
For a few minutes, she could forget. Hidden inside the tent with Duncan, she’d been lost in the circle of his arms. Relieved to have another shoulder her burden, even if it was fake. The story she told him was unreal, but the pain stabbing in her heart could never be invented. She would move to his house, live in his clan and await the day she found the killer.
Already, she was familiar with them. It would take longer to build the same rapport with another group.
“Ready to run, are ye?” a rumbling voice inquired behind. Quickly, Grace wiped her eyes on her dress, stood and turned to face Duncan. The big man who’d turned out to be surprisingly gentle, especially when he consoled her in the tent. Around the fire, she’d not failed to notice that he’d not been amused by the allusion to English men’s death.
Coolly, Grace responded, “I told ye, I’m an honorable woman. Me word is me bond.”
She could choke on those lies. Grace wondered if that kind smile would turn to dust if he knew her true purpose. He faced theflowing water, his profile strong and dependable. Grace followed a scar that started at his collar and disappeared down his shirt, her throat tightening.
“Ye left in a haste, are ye okay?”
How could he care for her in this manner? He was simply being kind. He’d done it to the old couple. He would extend the same hand to her. Grace’s futtering heart quelled.
“I am. I… the reality of me faither’s death hits me afresh.” It wasn’t all a lie. She could not tell him that his comrades nasty jokes got to her. He made that habitual sound in his throat.
“They’ve had quite a bit tae drink. We’re close tae home, ye see.”
“Ah, so that is why Bryce is rude. Actually, most of them. With the exception of Craig. Even when I was tied up, he told me stories of yer adventures. Did ye really get chased half naked from a brothel by yer faither, when ye was a boy?”
His lips curled, “that loudmouth. I should assign him more chores. And tae be clear, I was at the brothel tae make trade.”
“Ah, and somehow, they took the clothes off yer back.”
“Tis a dangerous place, Jo. Women all grabbing at ye, if me faither hadnae come, I fear fer me….” he broke off and squinted at her. “Ye poking fun at me.”
She laughed out loud, “Nae. Why would I?”
“Hmm,” he huffed, puffing out his chest.
“Ye said ye were close to home. What’s the name of yer clan? Is it some big secret I cannae learn?”
“Ye’ve ne’er told me the name of yers either.” Grace shut up. “In any case, tis fer yer safety fer now. Yer will learn it soon enough. Ye dinnae want tae be linked with us, if… ne’ermind, if they come for ye, I’m here.”
Grace’s faint heart wiggled its joy at his words. She held her hands behind her back, yanking on her thumbs out of view. To keep her senses grounded.
“I could tell ye that Bryce isnae from me clan.” He dropped his head. “Ye ken, about the rudeness and all.”
How could she resist the urge to smile. Grace could not and she didn’t. “So, that solidifies me opinion of Craig. He’s definitely different. Knows how tae treat a lass right.”
He arched that imperious eyebrow at her, pursed his lips and stayed quiet. For only a few seconds. Then he jostled her shoulders lightly. “Dinnae tell me ye fancy the man.”
“He’s a fine one…”
“He’s a fool. Did he nae tell ye how he got injured? He’s an idiot, really.”
“He is? What’d he dae?”
