He shook his head.
“Alan—” she repeated.
“I am but wondering what the day ahead will hold.”
“Surely we ha’ hours yet before we maun face that. Let us sleep for a while. I want to sleep in your arms.”
Was his wife falling in love with him?
Nay, surely not. Both of them had been forced into this against their will. She but floated now on the feelings resulting from what they’d shared together.
Because, as he’d been taught all his life, he most certainly had naught to recommend him.
He whispered back to her, “I should rise and go mak’ certain all is well in the house. Do a circuit of the stable also. I do no’ ken whether Father has returned wi’ the search party.” To be fair, the house might have collapsed on their heads and he’d not have noticed.
“All is quiet.” She did not release him.
“Mayhap too quiet.”
He had a sudden vision of Evan bursting in through the door of his chamber, brandishing some weapon, his face contorted with murderous rage. He would have time to do no more than throw his body over Annista’s as a shield.
She groaned. “If ye insist on going out on patrol, I am coming wi’ ye.”
Ah, well, that would save her from remaining here alone.
“Is it still raining?” she asked as she slipped from his arms and out of the bed, gloriously naked.
“Aye—I can hear it.”
“Then gi’ me leave to find some proper clothing. And to check and mak’ sure Bonnie is all right.”
She slipped off to the adjoining chamber. When Alan got up and moved, he discovered he did hurt most terribly.
Wondrous, what a man could overlook when he had a willing woman in his arms.
“I am going to need your help.” Suddenly Annista was there again, her back turned to him. “Wi’ the wee buttons. I am no’ able to reach, and Bonnie is sleeping. Sleeping and safe.”
“That is good.” Alan bumbled over the task, and over finding clothing for himself. Unsteady on his feet.
When they went out into the hall, they startled Seumas, who leaned against Annista’s door, apparently dozing.
“Master Alan?” His gaze flicked over them. “Is somewhat amiss?”
“No’ that I know of. I merely want to mak’ a circuit o’ the house and yard. Has my father returned?”
Seumas shook his head. “I ha’ no’ heard them. Shall I come wi’ ye?”
“Nay.” It was Annista who answered. “Keep a guard here, for Bonnie.”
“Aye, Mistress.”
They slipped off down the stairs, and Annista whispered, “I am armed wi’ a knife in my pocket.”
“Are ye?” He gave her a startled look.
“Aye.”
So she’d said before. “And where did ye get yer weapon?”
