They stared at each other tensely in the wintry chill.
“It’s time to go now,” he gruffly said, rising to his feet. “I’ll take you back.”
Catherine slid off his lap while her blood pumped hotly through her veins, sending a rush of unfulfilled desire straight to her core. She felt light-headed and dizzy. It was a wonder she did not faint dead away at his feet. “Are you angry with me?”
He shook his head. “It was my fault.”
“No, it was mine.”
Again, like the night before, he escorted her away—to leave her in the care of others. It was the gentlemanly thing to do, of course, but it left her wanting so much more.
“Will you ride with me tomorrow?” she asked again when they reached the cave entrance.
He leaned very close—so close she felt the scratch of his whiskers on her cheek. “I don’t think you know what you’re asking of me.” He whistled at the others to indicate that it was time to leave the cave. “Out, now!” he shouted. “Lady Catherine needs her rest.”
But rest was not what she needed, and just before Lachlan turned away, he gave her a look that indicated he knew exactly what it was that she required.
And that particular thing… He needed it, too. Far worse than she did.
Chapter Twenty-two
Lachlan did not ride with Catherine the next day, nor did he sit with her when they stopped to eat a light lunch at noon. Instead, he sat on the other side of the cook fire with Rodney and Roderick. Afterward they practiced a few maneuvers with their claymores while Gawyn cleared away the food and eating utensils.
They stopped again later in the afternoon to water the horses at a shallow burn and eat a light meal of bread and cheese, but Lachlan went off alone while the others took care to see that Catherine was looked after.
Not a moment passed where she was not aching to be with him, but he made every effort to avoid her and maintain a certain distance at all times. Their eyes rarely met—he seemed determined not to acknowledge her existence—and it was all Catherine could do not to march straight up to him, pound her fists on his chest, and demand that he talk to her.
By nightfall, she was more frustrated than ever and determined to crush her unbidden desires for him. She would not continue to yearn for a man if he did not welcome her attentions. She would move forward and forget him. She had a sister to meet after all—a twin. That would be enough.
The sun was setting in the sky by the time they rode onto a pebbly beach, where Gawyn was already waiting for them with a roaring fire, an open jug of wine, and a sizzling skillet that gave off a succulent meaty aroma.
“It smells delicious, Gawyn,” Catherine said to him as she dismounted and led Theodore to the water’s edge, where he drank thirstily.
Feeling tired and clammy, she looked down at the water lapping up onto the shore at her feet and wondered how cold it would be, for she longed to take a bath. She looked up at the clear evening sky, blew into the air to see if her breath was visible in the chill—it was—then wondered when they would reach a village where they could enjoy a full night’s rest in a warm and cozy inn, before reaching their destination.
“I appreciate the compliment, Lady Catherine,” Gawyn called out to her. “I only hope it tastes as good as it smells.”
She tossed her head and smiled to indicate that she had every confidence in his culinary abilities, then heard footsteps crunching across the pebbles, approaching from behind. It was Lachlan, leading his horse to the loch for a drink. He came to stand directly beside her.
Their eyes met in the pink haze of the setting sun, and all at once the anxieties of the day went quiet and still in her head. She could almost hear the gentle rush of her blood, whispering through her veins. She felt frozen in time, at rest and peaceful. He was so impossibly handsome, and everything about him made her feel safe and euphoric—but she willed herself to maintain her good sense. She simply had to.
He peered at her sideways, assessing her mood, and she decided to speak frankly. “You were very rude today,” she said.
“It was for the best, lass. We both know it.”
“Yes, after today, I have come to realize that. There is no need to repeat it.”
Thirst quenched, Theodore lifted his head. Thankful for his convenient timing, Catherine turned away and led Theo back to the edge of the forest, where he could nibble on the tall grasses. Roderick greeted her there.
“I’ll take him from here, Lady Catherine.” He proceeded to remove Theo’s saddle and lead him away to be groomed.
Farther from the beach, within the shelter of the trees, Alex and Rodney were assembling a tent for her to sleep in.
Catherine approached Gawyn, who was shaking the sizzling skillet to and fro over the fire.
“How soon will it be ready?” she asked.
“It’s ready now, my lady,” he replied.
