Page 218 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"Anyhoo, tis braw ye found me, I was just coming to seek ye!" he said. He dusted himself down, and pulled on the nearby brat, which shrouded him. A chill ran through the barn, as a flurry of sleet blew in. Ainslee shivered.

"Och," said Ainslee, a drift catching her hair. She pulled the curl from her eye.

"Aye, because I didnae want us to part on bad terms," said Malcolm. Ainslee looked up. At the mention of part, her heart thumped hard.

"Whit?"

"I'm going, Ainslee," said Malcolm, his face shining. Ainslee tried not to look again. She didn't want to connect with his eyes. He might see the real feelings deep inside.

But she must have looked at him, just a sideways little glance; it was enough to spark her.

"Nae fash lass, it's nae for long," said Malcolm, directing her attention toward him. Ainslee could not now look away.

"Wh...where are ye going?" She was attempting to sound blase, but failing completely. Watching Mal, she tried to look calm. "The captain, he said that..."

"Nae, tis nae the boat," said Malcolm, smiling. "But tis time I went to the Duncan keep..."

"But, Malcolm!" started Ainslee. Every force in her body was calling her, to stop him. "Bruce, he isnae there, yet..."

Malcolm grew closer. His gaze honed in on her face. Slowly, he brought his index finger to her cheek. Then he stopped.

"But tis nae use, he isnae there," she repeated, seeing the incredulity in his eyes. Mal just blinked; his face blank and wan.

"What is this?"

Suddenly, his fingers were on her chin, pressing and exploring. Swiftly, he ran his fingers all around her cheek, stroking it gently. Then, he alighted on the smooth scar, running across the middle of her face.

"What's what?" said Ainslee, not understanding. She was still too caught up in what he had just said. Why was Malcolm going? Had he heard nothing that she had told him?

"This scar, on yer face, how did ye get it?"

Intense suspicion brooded on Malcolm's face. He watched her closely. Ainslee, feeling the heat of his gaze, was taken by surprise.

"This?" she said, tracing the outline with her fingertips. In truth, she had all but forgotten about the scratch Bruce had given her. Or was it a bruise? She could not really tell.

"Och, tis been there a while, perchance tis just coming oot," she turned away from his penetrating gaze. "I cannae believe ye didnae see it..."

"I didnae," said Malcolm, never lowering his gaze. In flashes, Ainslee saw his expression; steely and suspicious.

"How did ye come by it?"

"Och, twas the first time I delivered the sword," said Ainslee, tutting. "Tis naething..."

Malcolm took her hand. "Tis nae naething, if someone hurts ye!"

Ainslee looked up to him. His green eyes were staring hard. Truculently, he continued to stare.

"Tell me who it was, an' I will kill him!" demanded Malcolm, in a low voice.

Uncomfortable, Ainslee was backed into a corner. She did not like what she saw. Mal's eyes glistened with hatred. This was not the man she knew.

A sick bile crept into her gullet. Malcolm stared.

Fretting, she deflected. "Och, wheesht!"

"Tell me!"

It was more of a roar. Ainslee shrank back from him. She had never seen him like this before. Malcolm was in front of her, seething and raging. But it was silently. Something about it unnerved her like never before. As she watched, the hate danced in his eyes.