“Tae assess the damage.” He nodded toward the singed wall. “I dinnae ken ’tis too bad. ’Twill only take a wee bit o’ repair.”
“I’m more interested in this.” She slipped her arms around his neck and raised up for a kiss.
By the time his arms circled her, she was already demanding more, and he was only too happy to oblige.
With every new kiss, he lost a bit more of himself, no’ sure where he stopped, and she began. She stole his thoughts, his breath, and his ability to reason beyond pulling her closer, kissing her deeper.
When their lips finally parted, she threaded her arms around his waist and laid her cheek on his chest. “What you did for Deidre yesterday was incredible. I don’t know how to express how grateful I am. There are no excuses for how she’s acted. What she did here, and at the crag, is unforgivable. But you risked your life for her, anyway. And on top of that, you made her feel she’s worth your efforts.” Lauren’s voice thickened with emotion. “That’s a priceless gift.”
Her sigh sounded full of frustration. “What I’m trying to say is, your kindness, your ability to make someone feel special, is one of the first things I fell in love with. There are many other reasons, as well, but the biggest reason my love for you grows deeper every day is because I know that no matter what, I can trust you.”
Reginald dinnae ken how she couldnae feel his heart shatter right there, beneath her cheek. He closed his eyes, holding desperately to the love she professed, kenning it was short lived. How much longer could he go wi’out telling her the truth about him?
She’d either leave him for his deception, or because he was daft enough to claim he’d lived in a different time. But he couldnae hide it forever. Lauren was every bit the smart woman Deidre had accused her o’ being. When he couldnae provide a reasonable background, she’d see him for the fraud he was.
He hated that he was too much of a coward to tell her the truth now, and lose what few days he might have left, with her.
Phillip Stansbury was no more a blackguard, than he was. At least Phillip dinnae pretend tae be someone he wasnae.
“Come on,” Lauren pulled back and grinned up at him. “Let’s go get some breakfast. I want to see you charm your way out of a lecture, when Aunt Phoebe sees those bandages.”
* * *
’Twasthe most satisfying breakfast Reginald had attended, since arriving at Phoebe’s. The food was excellent, as always, but ’twas the feeling of family and shared affection that made it special. Though a wee bit subdued, Deidre had laughed and shared charming childhood memories with Julia and Lauren. He sensed she hadnae felt so alienated from her sisters, at such a young age. Hopefully, now, they could create new memories, together.
Though obviously reluctant to leave Julia’s company, Drew accompanied Reginald when he left the house. The sisters had offered to help Phoebe sort through Crayton’s things to see what she wanted to keep. A chore, Phoebe professed, she’d put off too long.
“Are you planning to work on the shed?” Drew queried. “You got out of new bandages pretty slick by convincing Phoebe it would be a waste of time, with the chores you had today.” He chuckled. “And promising to use gloves to protect your hands was a nice touch.”
“ ’Twas the truth,” Reginald replied. “I intend tae wear gloves.” He gave Drew a mischievous look. “Yers.”
“Okay,” Drew grinned. “Then why did you have me leave them clear out by the crag?”
“Because that’s where I intend tae use ‘em.”
Drew grabbed Reginald’s arm and pulled him to a stop. “Would you like to tell me what’s going on in that thick skull, or am I going to have to tag along to see?”
Reginald tipped his head and shrugged. “Both? But ’tis likely ye won’t like it.”
“That settles it.” Drew laughed and clapped him on the back. “I’m in.”
Long strides carried them out of the yard, and onto the trail. “Ye may no’ wish tae be, once ye hear what I’ve in mind,” Reginald warned. “But I cannae seem tae overcome my curiosity about something I saw yesterday, on the climb back tae the top.”
He’d lain awake most of the night debating risking the crag again. Especially on naught more than a whim. But knowing he’d have to leave the glen soon, with no likelihood of ever coming back, he couldnae leave the question of that odd-looking shadow, unanswered.
Drew dinnae quite stumble, but he lurched a wee bit to the side. “You’re seriously not considering going back down there? What could possibly be worth that risk?”
“I am,” Reginald said, not breaking stride. “But I agree wi’ye. ’Tis a risk that’s hard tae justify.”
“But you’re going to do it, anyway?”
“Aye.” Reginald grinned. “I’ve a bad habit of no’ letting go of something when my interest is peaked.”
Drew chuckled. “You mean like digging for answers to a centuries old puzzle?”
His laughter blended with Drew’s. “That, too.”
“What did you see?”
