“We…we have a fine lunch, too. Buttered oatcakes and goat cheese and an apple tart drizzled with honey. Are you thirsty?”
Errol had to swallow hard as he nodded. It wasn’t water or cider he craved, his gaze fixed upon the soft ripeness of Tira’s lips as she busied herself with preparing a plate for him.
All of it…the sunny early afternoon, the nearness of her, her blushing cheeks a healthy pink hue, the glossy gold of her flaxen hair…making him feel as if he had stepped into a dream from which he never wished to awaken.
Was it possible that freeing herself last night from such terrible memories had brought about this change in her? He didn’t sense any apprehension in her at all and she truly appeared happy to see him—och, he wanted to jump up from his chair and shout to the heavens with elation!
Yet somehow Errol kept his composure as she poured amber cider into their cups, her hands trembling a bit while holding the pitcher, though she didn’t spill a drop.
“There now…let’s eat.”
Oddly, Tira made no motion to pick up an oatcake from her plate…and Errol didn’t, either, as she sighed softly and then met his eyes.
“Errol—och, I dinna know where tae begin. I-I want tae thank you for everything you’ve done for me, aye, and for the twins. Truly, if you hadna rescued me…”
She faltered, her chin trembling, which made Errol reach out his hand to reassure her—and to his surprise, she took it.
Tira squeezing his fingers as if her words weren’t enough to express how she felt, though he didn’t think his heart had ever felt so full.
“You needna say more, Tira. I would have gone tae the ends of the earth tae find you—och, do you know how much I love you?”
Her nod was all she seemed able to muster, and Errol could see that she swallowed hard as if her throat had grown tight with emotion.
Aye, even that was enough for him this day! He interlaced her fingers with his as he saw a flicker of dismay in her eyes, and guessed at once what she must be thinking even as she seemed to struggle to find words.
“Errol, I dinna know how long before—och, before we could ever…as husband and wife…ah, God.”
Tira looked so stricken now that he rose from the table and went down on one knee in front of her, his throat gone tight, too.
“I will wait for as long as it takes, you mustna believe for a moment that I want anything more from you than what you’re ready tae give. Do you hear me, lass? I want you healed and whole and happy…and the rest will come one day, you will see.”
Tira nodded again, and seemed to relax in her chair as she drew his hand, still clasping hers, to her breast and held it there.
Errol swore he could feel the rampant beating of her heart against his fingers, her touching gesture all the reassurance heneeded that Tira must love him still…though she had yet to utter the words.
To his surprise, not one butterfly but a dozen or more suddenly appeared to flutter and swoop around them…and then alight upon a rose bush not far from the table.
Their delicate wings a bright white against the lush scarlet blooms, though Errol’s gaze was drawn back to Tira’s face when she sighed and lowered their clasped hands to her lap.
“Cora told me you will be leaving soon. A battle coming between Scotland and England?—”
“Aye, another attempt by King Edward tae subdue us, but he willna succeed. Gavin told me that King Robert plans tae meet the English army near Stirling before they’ve had a chance tae march further north, laying waste tae everything around them?—”
“Och, but you could be injured or-or…”
Tira fell silent, swallowing hard again as if she couldn’t bear to say the word “killed,” which only heartened Errol further.
“You’re a Highland warrior’s wife now…like Cora and so many others. You’ve already proved your bravery, lass, so you must be strong for whatever comes—though I swear, Iwillreturn tae you.”
Tira gazed at him so intently, searching his face, his eyes, and appearing as if she might say something else, which made Errol’s breath catch.
Would she finally utter what he hadn’t heard since that day in her father’s great hall when she had said she loved him?
He rose from the ground and drew her up to stand in front of him, her eyes never wavering from his and her hand trembling as he bent his head to kiss her…Tira lifting her face to him and softly parting her lips?—
“Sutherland! By God, I’ve been looking for you!”
Tira gasped and Errol spun around as Lorne MacSween rushed through the garden toward him, the bearded warrior’s expression grim.
