Enough. I cannae think like this. I am here for Margaret. Have I forgotten already?
Sighing, Nora opened her eyes. The glare of the torches had finally faded from behind her eyelids, allowing her night vision to settle in. She could see the dark landscape spread out below her, the shadows of trees and shrubs trembling in the night breeze. It was too hot for dew tonight. Over the tops of the trees, between a curve of the hills, she could just barely catch a glimpse of the sea. It was miles away, of course, but at a moment like this, one could almost imagine it was nearby, close enough to reach. As if a person could climb onto the parapet and leap off, landing in the sea.
Silly, of course.
If a patient came up with that idea,she thought with a grim smile,I’d think they were delirious.
With a sigh, she stepped back from the wall until only her fingertips danced over the cool stone. Perhaps wanderingaround was a bad idea. After all, Creighton had warned her to try and stay alive. Why would he say that unless there was some danger? Uneasily, she glanced around, eyes peeled.
This is a restful spot. It’s odd that there are nay guards here, nay sentries. Nae that anybody could easily clamber up here, but still. It seems safe enough.
Then she heard the slow, distinct sound of a boot sole scuffing against stone. She froze.
I’m nae alone.
Glancing up, slowly and tentatively, Nora sighted along the balcony. It curved a little, throwing the end of the balcony into shadow. She was sure, however, that somebody stood there. Hiding. Watching.
Swallowing thickly, Nora took a step back. The stone suddenly felt sharply cold against her bare feet. Her nightgown whipped around her legs, and her open robe flapped uselessly. It occurred to her that the thin material of her nightdress must be almost translucent, even in the moonlight.
“Who… Who is there?” she stammered. “I thought this balcony was empty, otherwise I would never have…”
“Do not fret, lassie,” came a familiar, amused voice. The shadow detached itself from the darkness and strode confidentlyforward. Nora knew who it was before he even stepped into the light.
“Creighton,” she breathed, her fear dissipating. In its place came a new and possibly more troublesome sensation.
It was, unfortunately, desire.
CHAPTER 9
Must me torments never cease?Creighton thought distantly. The answer, apparently, was a resoundingno.
Nora eyed him warily, her thin nightgown whipping around her. Self-consciously, she wrapped her arms around her waist, pinning her robe in place. He could almost taste her kiss still lingering on his lips. The kiss he should never have taken, never.
Put it behind ye,he reminded himself angrily.One mistake does nae mean that ye have to repeat it.
Nora looked at him hesitantly, probably unsure whether to talk to him or to run away. Either way, he was too tired to intervene. She could do as she liked.
“I couldnae sleep,” she said at last, her voice tentative. “I just wanted some fresh air.”
He pursed his lips, leaning back against the wall and folding his arms across his chest.
“And ye thought to break me rule and come out here, aye? Alone? Leavin’ yer room when I wasveryclear that ye should stick to it if ye daenae have an escort?”
Color rushed over her face. She took a step forward, stabbing a finger accusingly toward him.
“It is themiddleof the night, me room wastoohot, and I simply couldnae…” She paused, wavering, and narrowed her eyes. “Wait a moment. Ye are teasin’ me.”
Creighton lifted an eyebrow. “Perhaps I am. What of it? Do ye nae like to be teased?”
Some of her anger dissipated. Not all of it, but some of it. She sniffed, rearranging her robe, tugging it across her breasts. He wished he hadn’t noticed that. The nightgown was thin, almost translucent. Perhaps it was his imagination, but could he see the pink peaks of her nipples beneath the fabric?
Enough, man.
He couldn’t see them anymore, at least. Not with her arms folded and the robe patted safely in place.
“Nobody likes being teased,” she said at last. “I had enough of that back at Bryden Keep.”
He tilted his head, swallowing hard and marshalling his thoughts. Anything to calm the fierywantingin his gut. “I thought ye were a foremost healer?”
