She snorted. “I willnae let some innocent risk death simply because somebody wantsmedead. I want to go with ye to meet yer allies. Our allies,” she corrected. “I willnae be argued out of it. I’ll prepare to come with ye, and if ye daenae want me to come, ye will have to bodily drag me back inside. I’m sure ye can manage it easily enough, but it willnaelookgood.”
He turned slowly to face her. She skipped back a step or two, keeping a wary distance between them. When their eyes met, she gave a careful, tentative smile.
He let out a ragged sigh.
“Ye are going to be the death of me,” he muttered darkly. Was it the first time he’d said that? Or the second? It hardly mattered;it was nonetheless true. “If anythin’ happens to ye at me cousin’s keep, or on the way there, I am goin’ to kill ye meself. It’s what ye deserve for nae listenin’ to me.”
A slow, wide smile spread across Nora’s face. Her eyes lit up, and the smile revealed a slightly lopsided canine tooth, giving her smile a mischievous angle. His chest tightened. How could he have avoided noticing that treacherous little tooth?
I am in more danger than I imagined,he thought glumly, trying to think of ice water in an attempt to introduce some into his veins. Heat swirled around his body. His hands twitched, desperate to reach forward and snatch her into his arms, to press her against him and let her feel his desire, how much he wanted her, howmuch…
There I go again. Thinkin’ about what I want. What did Ma always say? ‘Thinkin’ about what ye want is the perfect way to ensure ye daenae get it. It’s like cursin’ yerself.’
With a few deep breaths, he dragged himself back down to earth. Nora still beamed up at him. Something ached behind his rib.
“I’m glad ye saw sense,” she chirped. “I’m sure we can…”
He never heard the end of her sentence, because at that moment, there was a tap on the door. The door inched open, revealing Laurie’s nurse, bearing a tray. There was a mug of ale on the tray, a steaming cup of herbal tea, no doubt something recommended by the healers, and a large bowl of savory-smelling broth. Nora’s eyes lit up at the sight of the food. She must certainly behungry. They had tried to feed her over the three days, of course, spooning broth gingerly down her throat, but it was difficult to get her to eat more than a few spoonfuls at the same time. If they weren’t careful, if they rushed or gave her too much, she ran the risk of choking.
He could almost hear her stomach rumble now.
Before the nurse could say a word, however, a small figure came surging past her, nearly tripping the woman.
“Nora, Nora!” Laurie cried, cannoning into her and wrapping her arms around her waist. “I’m so glad to see ye again! They said ye were sick, and wouldnae let me see ye.”
Nora laughed, wrapping her arms around the little girl. That certainly explained why Laurie’s nurse was the one to bring the food, on account of Laurie wanting to come with her. “Aye, I was sick. But I’m nearly better now, see.”
Laurie beamed up at Nora, all wide-eyed adoration. Creighton bit back a smile.
I’m glad me sister likes her,he thought.This is what Laurie has needed for so long. An older sister, a… a mother figure of sorts, I suppose.
He caught himself short, stopping the runaway daydreams of the three of them in some peaceful domestic scene. That was dangerous, very dangerous. It was too easy to picture themsitting before a roaring fire, Nora and Creighton curled up on a settle while Laurie played with her dolls. It was a lovely scene, but not a realistic one. After all, Nora wasn’t going to stay.
“Did ye hear that we are leavin’ soon?” Laurie continued, somewhat anxiously. “We are goin’ to visit Uncle Hunter and Aunt Helena at Keep MacCrimmon.”
“I ken about yer trip.” Nora nodded. “I am comin’ with ye.”
Laurie gave a shriek of pure delight, clapping her hands. “I’m so glad, I’m so glad!Creysaid that ye were stayin’ here, but I was sure that ye wouldnae want to.”
“And Nora here never does anythin’ she doesnae want to do, eh?” Creighton remarked acidly, earning himself a narrow-eyed glare from Nora.
Laurie was not paying attention and had not noticed the taut atmosphere between Creighton and Nora. Judging by the curious looks the nurse sent them, however,shemight have noticed.
“If we are all travelin’ down to see me aunt and uncle together,” Laurie continued, clapping her hands again, “Wemustget matchin’ dresses, Nora. Please, Crey, say that we can! Can we?Canwe?”
Creighton threw up his hands. “Is there anythin’ I can say butaye?”
CHAPTER 17
THE FOLLOWING MORNING
Nora had not realizedthat they would be leavingquiteso promptly.
Before the sun was even fully above the horizon, the horses were prepared and lined up before the gate, ready to go. A few trunks were packed and loaded up on the carriage. A handful of men in MacColl tartan milled around there, talking in low voices.
Smothering a yawn, Nora stumbled out into the courtyard. Laurie was already there, perched on the edge of a trunk and smothered in a fur-lined coat. She brightened to see Nora, hopping down from her seat and scuttling over.
“I am glad to see ye, Nora,” she said earnestly. “Are ye feelin’ better? Crey said that I must nae chatter too much because it will tire ye out. I daenae want ye to be tired when ye get there.”
