He strode away in a self-assured stride, vanishing into the bramble. “Wretched Northman,” she muttered, then turned toward the one holding her. “Callum?”
“Aye?”
“My knight, the breath you bestowed upon me earlier is now being taken.”
His grip on her had turned unknowingly into a vice. Hell, he was crushing her!
“Pardon, Nella.” He loosened his hold but kept his left palm snug against her backside which was hidden under the extra blanket thrown over them.
Her fingers brushed over his collarbone. “What else did he declare?”
He covered her fingers with his right hand. “’Tis of nae consequence.”
“The Northman is only full of bluster,” she said, then looked at him tenderly while her other hand rose, brushing the hairs softly from his brow. “Your arms are theonlyI seek. By your side Ionlyhope to stay. In your heart I hope to remain for always, Callum MacCade. I am yours now and forever,neverforget this.”
If only they were alone he would kiss her. Why the hell not? He rose up, claiming her lips. Almost losing her at the river caused an overwhelming urge to kick propriety straight in the arse and savor every moment he was gifted to have with her. Every. Single. One.
She tasted from the honey mead and apples they had devoured before sleep. Both were a pale comparison at how succulent she was. His palm squeezed her backside beneath the blanket and a tiny squeal by delight took her lips against his.Delicious.He was a starved Scotsman before she came back into his life.
Ahem.“My friend, all the garments are dry.” Sir Brayden’s voice descended from above. “And Lord Kolson appears part plum at your show in affection for your lady.”
Nella rose up slightly, breaking the kiss, then buried her face in his neck as her face bloomed from embarrassment at being caught. “Thank you, Sir Brayden,” her voice muffled against his throat.
Callum nodded before glancing at Holger, who stood across the spent ashes after emerging from the bramble. Fists were clutched at his sides; he was a definite ripe plum shade. No, Northman, you shall not take her.Suffered that fate once – never again!
***
Nella stood near the spent ashes fixing the hood upon her cloak when Holger approached. Callum was saddling Luss whom she would be riding upon with Callum going forth. It was a small gesture but one which spoke again of her knight’s care for her.
“My lady, I wish to express my gratitude in your passion to sway Sir Callum upon halting at the abbey before Perth,” Holger said, adjusting his sword scabbard.
“For certain,” she replied, “Callum did not need to be swayed. He was already set to see your sister safe before we take onward for the stables where Sir Sean shall ‘meet’ Chief MacHarris.”
“No,” Holger doubted, “your knight will always be for the Kingdom of Scots, first and always. ’Twill make for a difficult time once he returns to court.”
She cocked a brow. “How so?”
“Well.” Holger elongated the word. “I mean no ill-respect, my lady, but the courtiers most surely will feast upon your knight’s hide.” Her brow shot higher. “After the gossip is thrown upon him same as rain in a storm at keeping a lady near his side whose late husband and two ‘stepsons’ sought to tumble the kingdom into chaos.” Her face had to blanch at the remark.He just stabbed at the haunted thoughts from earlier. “Sir Callum is such a noble one, is he not?” She nodded when words failed. “Alas, it will crush him to have his name dragged through the swine’s trough.”
Her eyes narrowed as she cocked the brow higher. “Never would I thought it possible to meet a lord who was also a weasel, Lord Kolson.”
Holger’s eyes flashed a spark from anger. “A weasel I may be.” He blinked, the anger vanished, and he grinned like a devil who had just gotten his pitchfork returned. “However, I still speak the truth.”
He did. It was… it was crushing. Raising her chin, she countered, “You declared the eve at Lady Alaina’s the hallmarks afforded every widow. A lover I may take in Sir Callum.”
He cackled a laugh. “Oh, you believe the peering eyes at court shall not discover such an indiscretion upon Sir Callum’s behalf?” He stepped closer, looming over her. “I have journeyed for many years in the circles of court. As a seasoned gestr let me offer a bit of my wisdom. A fortnight at best shall pass before you both are discovered. Then where would that take your knight? An even graver scandal will befall him given your past ties to traitors.”
She jabbed her finger on his doublet-covered torso. “I see your game, Lord Kolson. You believe to force me from Callum’s side so I shall seek your king’s court and shine a brighter light uponyourlordship. However, you are horribly mistaken. I would leave for another abbey before such a fate as this.”
She began turning away then paused at the warning behind her. “Are you so certain of that, my lady?”
Spinning back on her heel, she locked eyes with him. “Are you daring to threaten me?”
Holger chuckled the words. “Not in the least, simply stating the obvious. Solace in an abbey surrounded by your laborious herbs after all the taste in danger, which has seasoned your last few days, will never content you once again.” The mirth vanished as Callum approached. “Consider my words, Lady Fawnella. I do not believe you are the sort of lady who would bestow such a dire fate unto a knight you love.”
Ugh! Someone grab a needle and thread to embroider “weasel” in big bold letters on that doublet!
Blinking the tears away pressing her eyes, she forced a smile after Callum arrived then asked, “What was he declaring in his bluster?”
