Finally, he pasted a patient smile on his face. “I ken ye’re a canny lass, I do. But I also ken what would happen were I to lose ye or see ye harmed on the way to yer betrothed. So Iwillgo with ye—”
“Jamie,” Caitrin interupted, but he gave her no chance to finish.
“I’ll keep a proper distance, but Imustbe closer at hand than the top of this hill. Now go.”
Caitrin frowned but turned and made her way down toward the stream. Jamie’s expression had been pleasant enough, but she knew his iron will, and he had the right of it. Too much was at stake, now her father had involved the Lathans. Were anything to happen to her, not only would her father fail to make the match he hoped would improve his clan’s circumstances, but Lathan honor would be impugned. Clan war was not out of the question.
As she walked, she collected deadfall twigs and small branches in her skirt. Jamie gathered larger branches in his left arm, leaving his right hand free. He did that, she knew, not just to pick up more wood, but to wield the short sword on his belt if need be.
On the mossy slope, her foot suddenly slid out from under her. She gasped and fought for balance as her gathered twigs went flying. The slope of the hill defeated her. But instead of landing flat on her back as she expected, Jamie’s hands scooped under her arms and lifted. Distantly, she heard the clatter of dropped branches as he pulled her back against his hard chest.
“Caitrin!”
The concern in his soft cry thrilled her. His heat against her back nearly scorched her through both their clothes. Her heart beat fast - from the near fall or from Jamie’s strong hands? The reason didn’t matter. This was a close as she’d been in years to the lad she’d never been able to forget. Her knees wanted to give way beneath her, but he held her securely as he shifted his hands to her waist. Being in his arms was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. She wanted this too much.
“Have a care, lass. Ye willna wish to limp to the MacGregor.”
She sighed, closed her eyes, and leaned her head back against Jamie’s shoulder, promising herself she’d only steal this moment with him. Even with his arms around her, his fingers splayed on her ribcage, he was intent on delivering her to another man. The affection that had existed between them as youths was not enough to make him risk both their clans by claiming her for himself.
Then he lifted one arm across her breasts to grip her shoulder, pulling her tighter against his chest. “Are ye well, Caitrin lass? Did ye twist yer ankle?”
She dared not answer. His breath warmed her cheek so she knew he’d canted his head to the left to peer at her face, likely seeking tears of pain, thinking her injured.
She held herself still, soaking in the sensation of being in Jamie’s arms, if only for this moment. Finally, Caitrin shook her head and opened her eyes to the waning daylight and the end of her dreams. “Nay, Jamie. I’m well.”
“Wha’ the hell?” Will’s tone conveyed his outrage as he stomped down the hillside toward them.
Caitrin stepped from Jamie’s embrace and put herself between the two men, the warmth of the previous few moments replaced by the chill lash of Will’s tone and her fear of how Jamie might react. A glance over her shoulder relieved her mind.
Jamie stood with his hands open at his sides, his posture relaxed.
She faced Will and held up her hands, halting him a few paces away. “I slipped, Will. Jamie kept me from falling flat on my back, ’tis all. Sohaud yer wheesht.”
“That’s no’ what it looked like.” He shook his head, glancing from her to glare at Jamie behind her. “And ye on yer way to yer betrothal.”
Caitrin planted her fists on her hips. “Dinna think to lecture me, Will. Ye should be thanking Jamie, no’ charging down here like a coo with a bee sting on its arse.”
“Jamie, is it?”
“Aye, Jamie.” Caitrin sighed and dropped her hands to her sides. “Ye ken I fostered with his clan. What do ye think I should call an old friend?”
“Yer lady is unharmed.”
Jamie’s voice entering the conversation surprised her and she glanced over her shoulder again then back at Will. “Aye, that I am. Now be on yer way, Will,” she added, waving, “and take these sticks with ye for the fire.”
Will did as she ordered, though not without grumbling.
Jamie remained silent at her back until he moved out of earshot. “He cares for ye.”
She pursed her lips. “He’s a friend, nothing more. As are ye.” She didn’t wait to see Jamie’s reaction to her declaration. Instead, she brushed past him and continued down the hill.
His heavy footsteps followed her.
Staying within arms reach, she supposed, in case she slipped again. Above the stream, she found a thick stand of undergrowth, perfect for the privacy she sought. She narrowed her eyes at her companion, but took small comfort in her victory as he backed away. He’d backed away when she was sent home and never again approached her until his laird ordered him to. The thought of it hurt her heart.
When she emerged, she headed for the shallow burn, still savoring the sensation of Jamie’s touch, though it saddened her. When he did not immediately join her, she glanced around. Where had he gone off to? As she rinsed her hands, she spotted him on the opposite bank. Relieved, she splashed cooling water on her face then patted her skin dry on her sleeve.
“Shall I stand sentry for ye?” she asked. “I’ll turn my back.”
