The trembling she’d felt earlier turned to a tingle and then to something deeper that tugged in her belly. “Sean,” she gasped when he lifted his head.
“I’ll have the truth, Kenna.”
Swallowing, and still a little off balance, she closed her eyes. He wanted the truth. Mayhap if she gave it to him, he’d want nothing more to do with her and he’d stop tormenting her about accompanying her home. Her breath stalled in her chest at the idea of throwing away the few remaining hours she had with him. But ’twas likely best. She dinnae want to lie to him and she’d run out of evasive answers.
She steeled herself for his derision, opened her eyes and gave him as steady a look as she could muster. “Ye cannae go with me and ye cannae follow, because I’m going home, tae the year 1597.”
Chapter Eight
Kenna waited, every nerve on edge, for Sean’s laughter, anger, ridicule, condemnation—anything!He stared at her, his handsome face set, unreadable. He hadnae even blinked. Even his hands, still cradling her face, hadnae moved. Not so much as the twitch of a finger.
She couldnae stand it! Just as she reached for his hands to push them away, he released her and sat back, his amber eyes intent on her. “ ’Twas a hard fall, ye took today.”
Wincing from the involuntary clench of her hands, she raised her chin and met his stare. “Ye ken I’m daft, then?”
She’d expected disbelief from him. Why then, did it hurt so deeply?
“Nae, lass. Just that—”
“I dinnae hit my head today, as ye well know. But Iwasdaft enough tae think I could trust ye with something so…secret.” She stood as gracefully as she could manage. “ ’Twould seem we’ve both misjudged the other.”
Brows furrowed, Sean stood as well. “Wait. Please.” Touching her forearm, he beckoned her back to the chair. “Talk tae me. Tell me more.”
“Nae,” she shook her head. “I dinnae need ye tae appease me. Or yerself. I come from another time, Sean. I dinnae belong in this century.” She gestured to the room and the world beyond her window. “ ’Tis all foreign tae me. Naught of it makes any sense. And whether ye believe me, or not, I willnae deny the truth of it.”
He nodded. “Of course, no’. Forgive me, Kenna. ’Twas a surprise, that’s all. Something I hadnae expected. Although, tae be honest, it explains a lot. Like the ancient looking clothing I found ye in, and the absence of any personal items in these rooms.”
Kenna gazed around the sparse room. He was right. The few objects special to her, were in her family’s tiny cottage, several centuries in the past. She had no need for such things here. She wasnae staying.
“Why dinnae ye tell me this before?” Sean pressed.
“To avoid what just happened.” She gave him a pointed look. “Besides, I thought ye’d be gone before it became necessary tae explain anything.”
Moving closer, Sean tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I let ye down. I’m sorry, lass. ’Twill no’ happen again. I promise.”
He looked so contrite, ’twas hard not to believe him. “Even so, it doesnae change anything. I’m going back. Alone.”
Touching her elbow, he urged her back to the chair. “Please, Kenna, sit. Tell me why ’tis so important tae go back. I ken how strange all this can be. How ye can miss all that’s familiar and dear. But ’tis possible a life here has opportunities ye willnae find if ye return.”
Wearily, she sat and waited while he settled onto the chair beside her. He surprised her by leaning close to gently stroke her cheek with his thumb. “What is it that pulls ye back so insistently? Family?” His hand stilled. “Or is theresomeonewho waits for ye? Someone ye’ve feelings for and wish tae return tae?”
How could she possibly make him understand? She turned her head, breaking his touch.
“I see.” He sat back and dragged a hand over his face. “Forgive me, for reading more intae…for misjudging. And for steppin’ out o’ line. Ye needn’t worry, ’twill no’ happen again.”
What could she say? That despite her feelings for him, she’d fight for every opportunity to leave him?
After several painfully silent moments, Sean reached for the packet of bandages on the table. “We should finish with these, so ye can rest.”
“Ye’re angry wi’ me,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I never meant tae mislead ye, Sean. I tried tae discourage yer involvement when we first met, but ye wouldnae listen. Ye must ken any lass would consider herself lucky tae be rescued by ye.”
He stopped laying out the bandages and looked up at her. “Ye mean anyotherlass.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks and her breath came out in a rush. “I mean any lass with a choice.Idinnae have one. There are lives at stake. It may already be too la—” Her voice broke as unbidden tears burned behind her eyes. When her chin trembled, she dipped her head before he could witness her humiliation.
“Kenna.” The low, soothing timbre of Sean’s voice surrounded her as he stood, eased her to her feet and drew her close. “Dinnae fash, love. I cannae bear tae see ye so. Mayhap all isnae lost. I vow tae do all I can tae help ye.”
Willingly, gratefully, Kenna sank deeper into Sean’s embrace, resting her cheek against his chest as his arms circled tighter. She needed the comfort of his voice and the safety of his arms, even if ’twas only a momentary respite. When he picked her up, she dinnae have the will to protest as he carried her to the sofa, sat, and cradled her in his arms.
