He ran his fingers along her jawline. “Knowing you belong to me helps me find strength.”
In a rare display of affection, she took his hand in hers, turned it palm up, and kissed his fingers. He sighed, and she kissed him again. “Ye canna blame yerself.”
“Is that what you think?”
“I see it in yer eyes.”
“You are a wise woman, Miran.”
They spent the next hour quietly, then her maids came back inside the tent.
“Is it so late already?”
“Aye, Lady Miran,” Dedra said. “Ye wanted to get an early start back to Sands Airgid tomorrow. As I am sure all of us do.”
Miran nodded. “Then let us prepare for sleep.” She turned to Kai. “Thank ye, Captain.”
He bowed over her hand. “Guards will be posted outside the tent if ye need anything.”
She watched him stalk out, wishing she could stay with him.
“Are ye going to marry the captain?” Dedra whispered as she unbraided Miran’s hair.
“Why would ye ask such a question?”
“I-I am sorry, milady,” Dedra tried to hide her smile behind a trembling hand. “If ye wish to know, the captain hasna kept his feelings for ye a secret.”
“Nay?” Miran gazed at her, very interested in what she had to say.
“And the men…”
“Aye?”
“I overheard two making a wager.”
“What sort of wager?” Soldiers often did such things to keep themselves entertained.
“I have spoken out of place, forgive me.”
“Nay—I am curious now.”
“Everyone knows Laird Jamie gave the captain his blessing to woo ye.”
Except for Miran! For if she had known her cousin had done such a thing, she would have refused to go on this trip. Furthermore, she would have pursued finding Kai the kind of wife who could make him happy, a submissive, quiet lass. Not her!
“I think ye are mistaken.”
“Nay, milady, for one of the soldiers was in the great hall with the laird and captain the day we left Sands Airgid. He overheard the conversation, I swear it.”
She took the bone comb out of her maid’s hand and continued to brush out her own hair. She wouldna disrespect Kai in front of her maids. But once they were asleep, she intended to visit him in his tent to get the truth from him. Was she nothing more than a reward for Kai’s loyal service? Or was he theonlyman willing to take her as a wife because she had a reputation for being disobedient? Twould explain why men admired her from afar. The thought made her angry, for she wasna a piece of property to be given away at Jamie’s whim.
“Lady Miran?”
“Aye?”
“Ye are tearing yer hair out! Please, give me the comb.”
Miran looked down, indeed, there was a clump of blond hair in the teeth. She hadna even felt it rip out of her scalp. “I am verra tired, Dedra. Let us go to sleep.”
