Her eyes had grown wider and wider, and when he was finished she struck out at him in a blind rage. He caught her hand and shoved it behind her back, bringing her even closer to him.
“How dare you accuse me?” she hissed furiously. “I’m a maiden still, though I’ll no’ be proving it toyou!And even if I werena pure, ’tis none of your concern. Aye, think whatever you like. I hope you think the worst! Then you’ll no’ be wanting me!”
He kissed her, because he wanted to shut her up and because he just couldn’t help himself. Lord, what she did to him! No one had ever caused him somuch yearning as this small wisp of a girl. Or so much pain, either.
He let her go. His voice was now a gentle caress. “I still want you, Sheena, you can be sure of that. And I’ll have you, too, soon, and when that happens, you’ll wonder what all the fighting was about, m’dear.”
He rode faster to catch up with the others, and Sheena was left wondering. He had given her no chance to reply.
Chapter 24
“Still up, lad?”
Colen jerked awake to find his brother standing over him. He saw that Jamie was exhausted but unharmed. Then he slumped back down in his chair by the fireside.
“I wasna tired,” Colen answered sulkily. “With you gone, I’ve been sleeping late mornings, and I stay up later.”
“Do you?” Jamie grinned.
“And where were you off to without telling anyone?” Colen demanded angrily. “That’s twice now in two months you’ve taken off without explanation. Sweet Mary, do you think no one here worries when you go off like that?”
“Were you worried?” Colen remained silent, and Jamie sighed. “Och, well, I see you’re upset, and I’ll be saying I’m sorry. Iamsorry, Colen. It shouldna happen again.”
“Will you tell me about it? At least you took some men with you this time. Was there trouble?”
“Nay, lad, I just went to Aberdeen.”
“Again?” Colen was surprised. “What made you think you would have better luck this time?”
“Did you no’ speak to MacDonough while he was here?” Jamie asked.
“Nay, he left soon after you did,” Colen replied. “And I was at Black Gawain’s during his visit. Did you know he has Jessie Martin with him?”
“He’s welcome to her,” Jamie said without surprise.
“Well, that’s a fine attitude,” Colen grumbled.
“And why are you forever expecting me to be overcome by jealousy, lad? When an affair is finished, ’tis finished. I didna exactly pursue Jessie in the first place.”
“It just doesna seem right, her going to Black Gawain after being with you. She isna just a…a serving lass. She’s Daphne’s cousin by marriage.”
“I dinna see what difference her status makes. If I’m no’ bothered about it, lad, then neither should you be—unless you had a liking for her yourself.”
Colen reddened. “Nonsense. She’s too…full around the curves for my taste.”
“You like them slimmer?” Jamie chuckled, enjoying his brother’s discomfort.
But Colen refused to be sidetracked. “Did you find Sheena this time?”
“She wasna in Aberdeen.” And before Colen could ask another question, Jamie went on, “Shewas still with Jameson.” His voice took on a cold edge.
“But why?”
“The why of it you’d no’ be caring to hear.”
“I dinna ken.”
“Nor do I,” Jamie said sharply. “But she was there.”
