Chapter 4
Tossingand turning proved fruitless for Sheona that night, considering she did not have enough rope to sufficiently turn over. Beside her, a lightly snoring Malcolm MacDonald infuriated her more with each breath he took. She never realized how much one single person could irritate her. It was like he said and did things for the sole purpose of tormentingher.
Nestled in the Black Cullins, they had made camp hours ago and only she was still awake. Well, she and theguards.
To make matters worse, she was parched from lying so close to the fire and in order to find some water, she’d have to wake him. She tried her best to sit up without stirring him and cringed when she bumped his leg. His arm came around as if to cradle her and because she was sitting, hit the ground instead. He was upright in a flash staring at his arm andher.
“Where are yougoing?”
Sheona lifted the rope and dropped it again. “I am unable to go anywhere, my lord MacDonald. You have seen to it that I cannot even acquirewater.”
He swiped his hand down across his face and called out to the man on guard. “Bring the lady some water,Connor.”
“You needn’t have bothered him or anyone else. I am perfectly capable of getting my own water when I am not tethered like ananimal.”
“And you wouldn’t have to be, if you had not tried toescape.”
Connor came over with a skin of water from which she drank deeply. Once the water hit her belly she realized how hungry she was. Her stomach let out a mighty growl. Having refused food earlier was not smart on her part; she realized that now. In order for her to be fed, poor Connor would be bothered further. If MacDonald wasn’t so stubborn, she could simply get to the food storesherself.
“And hungry too? What kind of meal times do you keep at Dunvegan? Hungry and thirsty in the middle of the night when decent men areasleep?”
“I knewit.”
“Knewwhat?”
“That you are not a decent man. ’Tis the middle of the night, and you areawake.”
His jaw dropped and the corners of his mouth quivered as if he held back a smile. “Only because indecent ladies have awokenme.”
“I did not wake you. You woke yourself fromsnoring.”
“I—what?”
Sheona had to bite back her own smile at the look of incredulity on his face. He opened his mouth twice and closed it again. Without another word, he untied the rope from his waist and stood. She was surprised when he tossed the end toConnor.
“Don’t let her out of your sight for even a second. She’s a trickster like the faeries in theglen.”
Malcolm strode away, leaving her sitting by the fire with her wrists still bound. Insufferable man. So he could come and go as he pleased and she just had to sit there until he came back to ask for food? Well she would not. She’d rather starve than accept anything from him. She lay back down, turned toward the fire and closed hereyes.
Moments later his footfalls signified his approach. She knew his footsteps now? He really had gotten under herskin.
He sat behind her and rustled something. It didn’t take long for her to hear him tearing something and less time still for the aroma to hit her nose. He’d gotten some meat. Her stomach growled again and hechuckled.
“I’ve known many stubborn women in my life, but none who would starve themselves over it. If you wish to eat, you will have to sit up and accept what I offeryou.”
Insufferable lout. Having no other choice, she sat up and turned to him. Connor was long gone and the rope lay at her feet untethered to anything. She looked at it and him and raised an eyebrow inquestion.
“Do not worry, lass. I will bind you to me again once I see to your needs.” His blue eyes twinkled as he grinned ather.
Malcolm tore off some meat and positioned it in front of her mouth. She reached for it, but he swatted her handsaway.
“You will take the meat from my hand or you will noteat.”
“That is not necessary, my lord.” She did not want to have his fingers anywhere near hermouth.
“Aye. It is and I insist. You will eat from my hand or you will not eat. Open up or else I will end up with two meals and you withnone.”
Sheona regarded him for sincerity. He showed no hint of mirth and so she could only surmise he was serious. If she could take the meat without him touching her, she might be able to get through this and get back to sleep without mortification. When he’d kissed her earlier, her legs had all but turned to mush. His proximity sent her insidesquivering.
