Isla was dumbstruck with horror at his prediction, coming as it did on top of the carnage she had just witnessed and the terrible memories it had reawakened. Tears pressed at the back of her eyes again, and though she tried to brush them aside with the back of her hand, Ewan noticed at once that something was wrong.
“What is it, Annie? Ye look upset again,” he said, his handsome brow creasing with obvious concern as he studied her expression. He reached over and placed his large hand over hers. Despite the fear and sorrow gripping her, she found his touch comforting and was grateful for his kindness. After last night’s fiasco with the stolen food, she had expected harsh treatment. But here he was, with the weight of the world on his, admittedly broad, shoulders, being so gentle and trying his best to sootheand comfort her. It was impossible not to warm to him even further.
“All this death and dyin’, ’tis all wrong!” she burst out with unexpected passion, meaning every word.
“Aye, I agree, but there are times in life when, even if ye dinnae wantae, ye have nae choice but tae fight, against injustice, for freedom, or both,” he said, keeping his hand where it was and looking deeply into her eyes.
“I suppose ye mean the land ye say Allan stole from ye.”
He nodded. “Aye, that’s one injustice I couldnae let go. Those lands have been in me family fer centuries. I cannae just let Allan take them from me like that. Me ancestors are spinnin’ in their graves over it is as it is.” His tone changed slightly, acquiring a stony edge as he continued, “I havetae get them back, even if it costs me me life.”
Something about the way he spoke made her certain he was being truthful. Which meant that Allan was likely as corrupt as Ewan claimed he was and suggested Gregory’s so-called ally would have no scruples about double-crossing him.
I need tae tell Gregory all this, but how?
Ewan broke into her thoughts once more, taking her aback by saying, “I think it would be best if I bunk in with Colin tonight so ye can have the tent tae yersel’. I’m sorry ye had tae see whathappened just now. I think ye’d probably like some time alone with yer thoughts. Besides, ye’ll be more comfortable without me takin’ up room in the bed.” He gave her a crooked smiled that made her heart flutter in her chest.
She considered his offer. Did she want to be alone? Had she not felt alone since her parents had been so cruelly snatched away from her? And much as she loved Gregory, had not his responsibilities as laird had taken him away from her at a young age, amplifying that inner loneliness? Making up her mind, she managed a shaky smile and replied, “That’s very thoughtful of ye, Ewan, but I’d rather ye stayed. I dinnae feel like bein’ alone right now.”
The smile he sent her way set her heart fluttering again. “All right, I’ll stay and keep ye company if that’s what ye’d like.”
“Aye, it is.”
“In that case, I’ll make us some more tea and slip a wee dram intae it. That should soothe yer nerves and help ye sleep.”
“Thank ye, Ewan, fer bein’ so kind.” She was genuinely touched by this gentle side to him, which she had only glimpsed before when they were at the pond.
Ewan made a step and then turned to her again. “I have nae idea how ye thought ye would be able tae kill me when ye cannae stand the horror of takin’ one’s life.” And then he went to make the tea, so thankfully she didn’t have to answer.
I dinnae have any idea what I was thinkin’ either.
He proved to be correct, for once they had drunk their tea and whisky and retired to the cot, Isla felt better, and was soon overtaken by tiredness. When Ewan lay on his back and raised his arm to invite her in, she simply accepted the gesture for what it was and snuggled into the crook of his shoulder. He put his strong arm around her, and it felt wonderful to be held so. In fact, she had never felt so safe in her life. She did not even feel a whit of guilt about fraternizing with the enemy. She simply accepted the immense amount of comfort his warmth and strength and closeness offered, with gratitude and growing affection.
The siege went on, and during the following week, Ewan allowed her more and more freedom to move about the camp by herself. As the days passed, the men increasingly accepted Harris as one of them. The boy soldier was often invited to eat, drink, play jacks, or a hand of cards around the firepits with the various groups. At other times, Harris made himself useful helping tending to the horses or assisting the camp cooks, turning the spit when someone brought in a deer or something else that would make a tasty supper.
In quiet moments, as she strolled about, Isla privately marveled at the way she had so quickly settled into camp life. She had grown to like these tough men who thought nothing of running their enemies through with their swords, but could equally be found a few hours later, sitting around a campfire with their brothers-in-arms, wringing a tear from their mates eyes as they coaxed a tune from a battered squeezebox and crooned a sad, old ballad of lost love.
Among them, she found a sense of camaraderie she could hardly recall experiencing. She had even grown used to the soldiers’ bawdy, irreverent jokes, laughing along with them behind her hand. Castle Galbraith was where she had grown up as the laird’s sister, to be sure. Yet strange as it seemed, and in spite of her stalwart love for and loyalty to Gregory, she had seldom felt quite so at home as she did as part of Ewan Ballentine’s military camp.
At the end of that week, the third week of the siege, after eating a supper of roast duck with Ewan at the table, she refused his offer of tea and began clearing the dishes away. Clearly surprised by her refusal, he looked at her quizzically. “What are ye up to?”
“If ’tis all right with ye, after I’ve washed these dishes and taken them back tae the kitchen tent, I’m goin’ out tae play horseshoes with some of the men for an hour or two,” she told him, placing the dishes by the door while she put on her coat and boots.
“Well, I may well come and join ye fer a few rounds later,” he said, which for some reason, pleased her immensely. She found herself beaming at him.
“Aye, all right, if ye dinnae mind gettin’ beaten,” she replied cheekily.
He laughed, a happy, full-throated sound of pure merriment which she could not help joining. “Now, that’s a challenge I cannae turn down.” He paused for a moment, regarding her with one of his crooked smiles. “Ye ken, Harris, I like seein’ the way ye’ve settled in around here.”
“The men have made me feel very welcome.”
“’Tis very satisfyin’ as their commander tae hear ye say that. Of course, in me opinion, ye couldnae find a better bunch of lads anywhere. I’m awful glad ye feel welcomed. Off ye go then tae play, I’ll see ye shortly.” He waved her out of the tent. However, when she turned to give him a final wave as she went out, she caught in his expression a hint of doubt.
There’s nay good reason why he should trust me. I did try tae kill him after all, and I’ve been spyin’ on him all this time as well. I’m lucky he’s let me live as it is.But trust has tae be earned, and I dinnae deserve it.I am an enemy spy, and I’ve told him naethin’ but lies.
Torn as she was between loyalty to Gregory and her growing affection for the enigmatic enemy leader, she felt as guilty about lying to Ewan as she did about her failure to aid her brother and the others trapped by the siege. Rightly or wrongly, it made her sad to think he was still suspicious of her. For deep down, had circumstances allowed it, she would have given her eye-teeth to be considered trustworthy by such an honorable man as Ewan Ballentine.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
