Page 45 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

“I think they’re goin’” Tadhg said, his body relaxing against hers. With the threat having passed, she was suddenly anxious about what might happen if she did not put distance between them, she pushed against his chest.

“Ach, let me out of here, I’m suffocatin’” she said, not untruthfully.

“All right, all right, let me get out first,” he told her, gradually managing to extricate himself. Finally, she stumbled out of the cave, feeling very flustered but at the same time relieved that they were out of danger. “It seems the Wee Man is smilin’ on us, eh?” he added as he helped her steady herself.

“Aye, that was lucky indeed,” she agreed, glad of the assistance, for she felt quite wobbly. “Can we find somewhere tae rest now?”

“Let’s go and explore the other caves. Hopefully, there’ll be a bigger one where we can set up camp.”

Tadhg picked up the saddlebags and bedrolls from where he had dropped them, and they continued along the rockface, looking for a place to spend the night.

“Ah, this is more like it,” Tadhg said when they came to the third entrance, which was rather small, and he stooped to get inside. Alana had to mind her head as she followed him in. Once inside, they could both stand up with ease, and when she looked around her, she was pleasantly surprised by the size of the cave.

“Why, ’tis much bigger than it looks on the outside,” she observed, feeling more cheerful as she peered around the large space in the dim light. “’Tis almost magical. D’ye think there could be trolls livin’ here?” she asked playfully.

“Trolls?” he said, laughing. “I’m nae sure about that, but ye never ken.” He

unrolled the bedrolls before coming over to drape a blanket around her shoulders. She shivered and hugged it to her gratefully, touched by his thoughtfulness. “If there are, they may be hungry, so I suggest ye stay close tae me and dinnae go pokin’ around too much.”

“I have nae intention of pokin’ anythin’,” she told him. “I’m just glad ’tis dry

in here.”

“Aye, help me tae find some dry wood, and I’ll make a fire,” he said, going out again. She went to help him, and together they gathered as many dry fallen pinecones and gorse branches as they could. Then, they went back inside and, using his tinder box to light it, made a small fire close to the entrance so the cave would not fill with smoke.

“We should try and dry our clothes off,” she said, peeling off her damp cloak

and scarf and hanging them on a spar of rock near to the fire. Luckily, her feet were not wet, but her hair was soaking. She wrung it out as best she could and spread it across her shoulders, hoping it would gradually dry.

“Give me yer coat,” she said, beckoning for Tadhg to hand over his buff jerkin, which was dark with moisture. “I’ll hang it up too.” He unlaced his coat and handed it to her. She inspected it. “’Tis only wet on the outside,” she added, putting it with the rest before sitting down by the fire.

Just as he had promised he would, Tadhg made some tea and put a dram or two into it. The whisky was immediately reviving, its warm tendrils snaking through her veins comfortingly. After they finished eating, they sat across from each other quietly, drinking the fortified tea and letting the whisky do its good work.

“Alana, I think this wee trip could prove more dangerous than I first thought,” Tadhg suddenly said, looking over at her. “I think ye’d best have a weapon on ye, just in case we get separated, and ye have tae defend yersel’.” He pulled his dirk from his belt and handed it to her. “I want ye tae take this and keep it about yer person.”

Though she found his concern for her heartwarming, Alana shook her head.

“’Tis a nice thought, but I have nae idea how tae use it,” she confessed, not even bothering to take the weapon.

“All right, I’ll teach ye,” he replied decisively, withdrawing the knife.

“When?”

“Nay time like the present.”

“Ye cannae teach me how tae fight with a knife just like that!” she said in disbelief.

“Of course I cannae, but I can show ye a few good moves tae defend yersel’. If anythin’ happens, at least ye’ll nae be helpless. Ye’ll be able tae fight back and dae some damage maybe, tae give yersel’ a chance tae run,” he explained earnestly.

“All right,” she agreed, still a little dubious but nevertheless moved by his obvious concern for her welfare.

Tadhg stood up and went to the entrance. “The rain has stopped,” he said, “Let’s go practice outside where there’s more room.”

Feeling slightly nervous, Alana followed him out, to a flat area beyond the bushes. The rain had indeed stopped, and the sun was peeping out from behind the clouds. Everything looked fresh and alive, but Alana was not convinced it would last because the air still felt heavy with moisture.

“These will dae as makeshift blades fer practicin’,” Tadhg said, picking up two suitable sticks from the ground and handing her one.

“Thanks,” she replied, looking askance at the stick. “This is embarrassin’. Is