But if this was his true character, why had he been so adamant in refusing to help defend the village in the first place? What had happened in his past to make him want to turn away from a conflict like this? If his heart was not as hard as she first suspected, then it meant that he was masking his true nature, but for what purpose? He was far more complicated than he seemed at first glance. Elvira wished she knew the right question that would unlock the secrets of his heart because she wanted to know what drove this man, this man who had turned her and her family away who had accused her of being a liar, and then who had come towards her like a tempest and defended her from her captors. For someone who always prided herself on knowing what to say, however, she found herself at a loss for words. She feared that saying the wrong thing would seal his lips. She needed to be patient, to gather her strength so that she could think clearly again.
“We’re almost there,” he murmured. His voice had that pleasing Highland burr, low and growling, as though something primal was hiding within his flesh. She almost didn’t want the ride to end as being in such close proximity to him was like being next to a fire, such was the heat that radiated from his body. The horse trotted back and the village came into view as the pale light of dawn pushed back the darkness of the night.
12
The shock and emotion of the evening had worn off, leaving Elvira drained. She stifled a yawn. Relief entered her heart as she returned to the village, although she half-expected enemy warriors to leap out and attack them again. Thankfully, this did not happen. Instead, she was greeted with the sight of Torrin, Isla, and her family rushing out of the tavern when they heard a horse approach. Rory brought the horse to a stop and dismounted. He held his hand out, assisting Elvira as she came to the ground. Her fatigue was dulled by the sight of seeing her family. Tereza and Ollie came rushing towards her, wrapping their arms around her waist. She kissed them both on the head. Mirella had a concerned look on her face, as she knew more about what had transpired.
“Oh, Elvira, we’re sae glad ye are safe. We hae nae idea what hae happened. We’re sorry. We never should hae left ye by yeself,” Isla said. Torrin looked guilty.
“It’s nae yer fault. I pulled the door closed, thinking that ye could use some privacy. I never should hae trusted those men,” Elvira said, admonishing herself for enjoying even a moment of complacency.
“Was it him?” Mirella asked as she drew Elvira in for a hug. Elvira bowed her head and nodded, wearing a sick expression on her face. Mirella exhaled slowly, a haunted expression on her face. . Elvira could see the lifetime of trauma that Mirella had endured, and how much had been taken from her. She had lost a daughter, a son in law, and now almost a granddaughter as well. How much was the world going to take before its hunger had been sated? They did not mention Laird McKovac’s name, still wanting to protect Tereza and Ollie.
“They said bad men took ye,” Tereza said.
“Aye, well, they were greedy and and they were rogues. They dinnae get very far before Rory caught up tae us,” Elvira said. Her siblings eyed Rory with suspicion. They may have been children, but they were not stupid. They knew that he had turned them away, and must have wondered why he had gone to these lengths to save Elvira. They did not give rise to these questions, though, nor did they have a chance because Torrin was already clasping Rory’s shoulders, congratulating him for his heroic efforts.
“I knew that ye hae this in ye. Ye cannae hide yer true nature forever. Ye are a good man Rory. With this and the swords ye made, I’m sure that everyone is gaeing tae trust ye now. I’m glad ye hae seen what’s required tae keep people safe,” Torrin beamed.
Rory shot him a look of concern as he looked around, worried that one of Glennrock’s agents might have overheard. However, the early hour meant that the area around them was barren. Elvira was shocked to hear this news, however. She turned towards Rory.
“Is this true?” she asked.
Rory pursed his lips. He said nothing.
“Aye it’s true. And they are the finest swords I hae ever seen! I cannae wait tae see what he is gaeing tae forge next,” Torrin said.
This time Isla chastised him, muttering that he should keep quiet. Torrin gestured around, shaking his head, but Elvira’s attention was solely on Rory. He had changed in every aspect. No, that wasn’t quite true. He hadn’t changed at all, he had just allowed his true spirit to be seen.
Elvira turned away from her family and closed the distance between her and Rory. “Ye are daeing the right thing,” she said softly.
“I hope sae,” he replied. Then, he smirked. “I suppose all it took was hearing the right words. Maybe part of the reason why I was sae angry was because ye were right.”
Elvira didn’t smile at all. She searched his eyes, seeing the soul that lay beyond them. “I was nae, Rory. Ye are nae a coward at all. Aye, ye may hae done cowardly things, but that dinnae make ye a coward. Yer heart is true. Ye proved that when ye came after me, and putting yeself at risk in the name of helping the villagers. I am glad that ye are seeing the truth of the world,” as she spoke the last remnants of resentment turned to endearment. She had been cold to him even after he had rescued her, not even thanking him for his efforts. She wanted to change that now. She gently placed her hands against his waist and rolled forward, wrapping her arms around his back and kissing his cheek softly. She felt the strong trunk of his body and the powerful strength that lay coiled within him. Her lips bristled with heat as she brushed his cheek. At first he seemed tentative, but then his arms opened and they welcomed her inside, his fingers pressing against the small of her back. There was a part of her that didn’t want to leave, that wanted to stay with him all night and uncover his secrets one by one. He was shifting beforeher eyes, as though only now she was seeing his true nature, and she did not wish to turn away.
In fact, seeing his actions tonight made her recall the words her mother had once told her. She blushed, and was silent as she was led away to bathe and recover from the night.
The children had been sent to bed. Mirella was tending to Elvira, who soaked in warm water. The aches of the night eased away from her muscles. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
“I feared the worst,” Mirella said.
“I was nae gaeing tae let them take me tae him,” Elvira replied.
“I thought we would be safe here.”
“We are. Rory brought me back, and these people are making efforts tae defend themselves. If McKovac daes attack this place they will be ready, and we can help defend them.”
Mirella made an uncertain murmur. “I’m nae sure about that. I’m just glad ye are back with us. I wish I was able tae chase after ye,” she reached into the bath and squeezed Elvira’s hand. “Although it seems that ye hae yer own personal guard,” a playful tone entered her voice.
Elvira blushed. “I would nae gae that far.”
“From what Torrin said he dinnae waste a breathe in chasing after ye. As soon as he realized ye were gone he raced out of the tavern, leaving all but one of his swords behind. He reminds me of yer Da.”
Elvira frowned. “In what way? He’s nae Romani.”
“Nae, but yer Da would hae done the same thing for Maria. That’s all ye can hope for in this world, tae find someone who will fight for ye. He seems like a good man, at heart.”
“Aye,” Elvira’s heart was warmed by Mirella’s words. There was definitely some form of attraction between herself and Rory, although she thought that some of it might be caused by herfatigue. She still wasn’t ready to accept these feelings when there were matters that were unresolved. “But it still dinnae change the fact that he turned us away. I want tae know why he was sae reluctant tae help us.”
