Now her voice was shaking and she looked away, her lovely profile limned in firelight.
Cameron could feel his heart beating harder that she had shared so much with him, her lower lip trembling as she seemed to fight anew what must have been a terrible reality—in her mind at least. Yet was her lot so different than most highborn young women? Aye, some with fathers that might have showed fondness towards a daughter, but wasn’t it always the sons that insured a man’s lineage?
As if Aislinn had read his thoughts, her voice was bitter as once again, she turned away from him.
“I should have known you wouldn’t understand. Why would you? You’re a man like any other.”
She started to walk back toward the fire, but Cameron caught up with her and with one hand at her waist, turned her around to face him. She didn’t resist him this time, either, but he could tell by the tension in her body that she wasn’t pleased about him stopping her.
“Didn’t you tell your men that we’d be leaving at sunrise? I need some rest, Cameron—”
“Aye, but talk with me for a while longer, will you? You told me yourself that it might help—and I believe it has. You see? I’m not angry any longer and I’m trying, Aislinn, truly trying…”
Indeed he was, Cameron astonished at himself that he had spoken so easily to her, though his neck was sweating in spite of the cool night air.
Mayhap revealing what he’d never spoken aloud to anyone, not even Conall, had eased the affliction that had plagued him for so long—though more likely, it was because he wanted to talk with Aislinn.
To be near her.
To look into her eyes.
To find out more about her, though she sighed as if reluctant to say anything more to him. How could he blame her? Mayhap if he gently prodded her…
“So your father is why you’re the way you are? A woman more skilled with a sword than many a man I’ve met in battle. More skilled with a horse—aye, that brute you ride has tossed most others who’ve tried tae tame him.”
“You as well?”
Cameron heard a hint of humor in her voice that heartened him more than he could have imagined. He shook his head, and then shrugged.
“I have my own steed, a gift from Gabriel after he agreed tae wed Earl Seoras’s mad sister, Magdalene. He gave each of his captains a fine horse—myself, Conall, and two others, Alun and Finlay—”
“She was mad?”
Cameron shook his head again at her startled look. “She feigned lunacy so she wouldna have tae marry—och, she led poor Gabriel on a merry chase, but now they couldna be happier. You’d like her, Aislinn. You remind me of her—strong, spirited, a mind of her own. Mayhap one day you’ll have a chance tae meet her.”
Smiling to himself at the memory of some of Magdalene’s wild antics, Cameron grew sober in the next moment as he realized Aislinn was staring at him.
Almost in wonder. He realized then that he’d never spoken so easily and so much to anyone but Conall and Gabriel and his fellow captains, which made him suddenly fumble and grasp for words.
“I-I dinna know why I’m going on… och, you said you wanted tae rest—”
“It’s working, Cameron, don’t stop on my account! I told you if you practiced, it would get better. I said I’d help you and I meant it.”
Cameron didn’t know if it was her encouragement that so warmed him or that she had rested her hand upon his, her unexpected touch like a jolt that made him want to pull her into his arms.
He had no more thought of doing just that when she dropped her hand as if embarrassed, and once again looked toward the fire.
“It’s getting late, aye?”
He nodded, fumbling again as his breath seemed jammed in his chest. “I-I’ll walk you back…”
I’ll walk you back? Was that all Cameron could think to say after everything that had passed between them?
Tomorrow by midday they would reach Dumbarton Castle, and who knew what Robert the Bruce might want to do with Aislinn? Cameron planned to insist upon his helping her himself to find her father and brother, or at least discover their fate—but he had been ordered by the king only days ago to remain at Campbell Castle to ensure the MacDougalls didn’t attempt to wrest back control of Argyll.
What would King Robert have to say about Cameron disobeying that order? About Conall left in charge of so important a fortress?
“Cameron… I thank you for the knife.”
