"It's a yes," she said softly. "Now, could we possibly get out of this awful cabin?"
"What? Oh, aye, of course. Come on, Thomas and Emma are waitin' outside."
They stumbled out, the cool night air coming as a great relief to Dominic's bruised lungs and heated skin.
Thomas was standing right outside, his sword gripped tightly, and relief flashed over his face when he saw Dominic.
"Oh, ye are all right, both of ye. Thank goodness."
Emma appeared at his side, sharp healer's eyes raking over them both.
"Do either of ye need medical care?"
"Nay, we're well enough," Dominic said tiredly.
Emma's gaze dropped pointedly to the line of bloodstained linen at Dominic's ribs.
"Except for that, of course," he added.
She rolled her eyes. "And what abouthim, in there?"
Paisley and Dominic turned to peer back into the cabin through the open door.
Lord Ainsley's headless corpse could just be seen in the shadows.
"I... I think he's rather beyond medical assistance now," Paisley said tactfully, and for some reason this seemed very amusing to Dominic.
He grinned, chuckling, and shook his head. "She's a funny lass, eh?"
"She must be," Thomas said incredulously. "I cannae remember the last time I saw ye smile."
"I'm a betrothed man, I've a right to be happy," Dominic said primly, pressing a kiss to the top of Paisley's head. "Now, are we goin' back, or are we goin' to stay out here all night? It'll be dawn in a few hours."
21
It was obvious the Keep had stayed awake to welcome them back.
Paisley, perched on the back of Dominic's horse, her arms around his waist, peered over his shoulder at the lights in the courtyard. The double doors were still open, although it was obvious that the party had finished some hours earlier.
It must have been three or four in the morning, at least. Dawn wasn't far off, and yet Paisley wasn't tired at all. She probablyshouldhave been tired, after her ordeal, and yet excitement fizzed in her veins.
She'd slept enough on the way to that wretched cabin anyway, regardless of how unnatural that sleep had been.
Catriona was seated in the same place as before, craning her neck to watch them approach. To Paisley's surprise, Ava stoodbeside her, the two women talking in low voices as if they were old friends.
That's Ava for you,she thought tiredly.She can befriend anyone.
Colby and Veronica were also there, seated on the stone steps below Catriona's seat, looking exhausted and wrung out. They dismounted in the courtyard, and Dominic turned, arms raised to lift Paisley down.
His hands felt warm and sure at her waist, and Paisley was uncomfortably aware of that ache in her chest and gut again. The ride there, which she had spent pressed against Dominic's firm back, arms around his waist, had only heated her blood more than she thought possible.
It doesn't seem appropriate,Paisley thought uncomfortably.I wasthisclose to being dragged back to England as Lord Ainsley's future wife. I saw a dead body today. I watched a man's head get severed from his shoulders. I stabbed somebody with ahat pin. I should be traumatized, not... not whateverthisfeeling is.
"So ye have all returned in one piece," Catriona remarked, making her slow way down the stone steps towards them. "I must say, I wasnae sure."
Paisley saw relief on the old woman's face, and a hint of softness when she looked at her son.
"Ye shouldnae have stayed up, Ma," Dominic said, moving to kiss his mother on the cheek. "It's late. Or early, rather."
