Three rabbits were soon roasting on the wooden spit over the fire and one by one the men drifted over to sit as they finished with their chores. By the time Colin joined them Hope had passed out, she and Lady curled around each other.
“He is a tough lad,” Stuart said as Colin stood over Hope, his arms crossed.
“A stubborn one, too,” John said, “though not a bad trait.”
The other men agreed with a chorus of “ayes.”
Colin thought to move Hope and Lady but the pair looked comfortable enough so he joined the men for the evening meal. His eyes, however, continued to stray to the sleeping lad. He looked frail for a lad of ten and two and yet he had a depth of strength to him that surprised Colin.
When he had learned of Harold coming to a weaker lad’s defense even against difficult odds he found himself admiring his courage. Harold must have known he would take a beating and yet he did not walk away from injustice; he stood his ground and defended his own beliefs. For that alone Colin respected him.
Colin wanted to help. Why, he could not say. The need to protect was strong. While Harold was a determined one, he did not possess the physical strength to defend himself. So Colin felt compelled to do so for him.
Then there was the thought, a persistent thought that Colin could not ignore. He felt that Harold had no intentions of remaining at Shanekill Keep, that given time he would leave and tell no one of his departure. He would simply be gone, once again on his own. The thought disturbed Colin.
Why this young lad’s wellbeing seemed so vital to him he could not understand. He really was not Colin’s responsibility. And yet he felt responsible; he intended to see that the lad had a permanent home.
He would see that Harold remained at Shanekill Keep whether he wanted to or not. Colin watched a shiver race through the sleeping lad, causing him to wrap himself more tightly around the large dog for warmth.
Colin was about to stand and get a blanket for the lad when Stuart leaned over from where he sat nearby and gently placed a wool blanket over Harold.
“A good lad,” Stuart remarked, “though he needs weight on him.”
“Ayes” could be heard making their rounds around the campfire.
Colin smiled and shook his head. Harold had worked his way into the men’s hearts and strangely enough the lad had touched his heart as well.
Chapter Five
Hope made certain she remained with the men when they entered another village the next day. It was a small one and within minutes they learned that no one fitting Hope’s description had been seen in the area.
The men’s grumbles grew as they journeyed on, though they continued to offer Harold their horses along the way. She accepted a few times and walked other times. While her injuries continued to cause her discomfort, the pain was not as unbearable as the previous day, and she did not wish to appear weak in front of the men. She was, after all, a young lad with pride.
She found that she enjoyed listening to the men and their tales. They spoke far differently than they did when in the company of ladies and the contrast amazed her. She had to turn her head a few times to hide the blush that their raucous words caused her but that did not prevent her from listening or even grinning from time to time.
She had to admit that her adventure was finally becoming adventurous, and she was having a grand time.
Colin rode up to speak with Stuart who walked beside his horse, which Hope rode.
“There is a small lake up ahead and being the day is warm and sunny I thought the men might enjoy a dunk.”
Stuart nodded. “A good idea.” He looked up at Harold. “Do you swim, lad?”
Hope was an excellent swimmer, but Harold? She shook her head, knowing that it was not possible for him to take a dunk with the men. “Nay, I do not.”
“Then perhaps it is time you learned,” Colin said, his smile not making his remark sound any less adamant.
Protesting was useless; her wits would be her best weapon. “If you think,” she said with an indifferent shrug of her slim shoulders. “Last time I made an effort to learn was on a day like today. Warm and sunny with a faint chill that caught the air every now and then. I guess that was what caused my fever, the chill.”
She said no more, planting a seed in Colin’s mind and letting it take root.
It rooted fast in Stuart’s mind. “Maybe a warmer day would be best for the lad.”
Colin rested a steady eye on Harold. The lad was no fool. He chose intelligence over brawn and used it to his advantage, outwitting his opponents.
“It is Harold’s choice,” Colin said with a sharp eye on him.
Hope forced herself not to squirm and appear restless, but while Colin’s smile charmed, his eyes accused with a relentlessness that unnerved.
She forced herself to respond, even though the lump in her throat made her voice squeak. “Another day, I think.”
“Then you will tend the men’s horses while they enjoy themselves,” Colin ordered firmly.
Stuart was about to voice his objection when Colin shot him a look that warned him not to protest. Stuart wisely remained silent.
Harold nodded, relieved. If there was time she would sneak away and wash herself quickly. It had been several days since she had been able to do more than see to washing her face and hands. Her body required much more attention, and she hoped there would be time and the solitude necessary to see to it.
The horses were tethered near where the men bathed in the chilled lake. They did not strip completely naked especially after testing the water, though they all stripped to their chests and Hope could not help but peek around the horses at them.
They were all impressive, but then she supposed that was because they were trained warriors and elite ones at that, belonging to the Irish Devil. They varied in size though each possessed a muscled chest and arms, Stuart being the largest of the group. He could not be called fat by any means. The man was simply a mass of muscles, and she wondered why any man would choose to go up against such a powerful opponent.
Why, he looked as though he could squash a man’s head with one hand!
She kept herself looking busy and kept peeking past the horses to watch the men. Her adventure was proving so much more educational than she had thought it would be. Here she was learning about men so that when she married she would better understand her husband.
Or perhaps if she was lucky enough she would discover love.
At that moment Colin approached his men bare-chested, and she was unable to look away. His body was beautifully defined as though each muscle was sculpted by a master artist, and in those defined lines Hope could almost see the strength he possessed. He was a work of art magnificently crafted, and each fluid movement proved it as he reached out to cup water in his hands and splashed it over his hard chest.
His muscles grew taut and flexed in a natural rhythm that captivated attention. The beads of water even paid reverence to his beauty, slowly sliding down his chest as if not in a hurry to detach from him.
Hope felt her body rush with a sudden tingle that settled between her legs and caused her to grow uncomfortably moist.
It was time to take herself elsewhere. This would not do at all and she was finished seeing to the horses’ care, not a difficult task since she had often spent time in her youth helping with her uncle’s horses.
She had always been an inquisitive child, insisting on answers to her endless questions. If no one could satisfy her curiosity then she searched for the answer herself. But her present question haunted her and the answer would not come easily.
She wished to know what it would feel like to touch Colin, to feel his strength beneath her hand and …
Hope shook her head, willing away her tormenting thoughts. The more she allowed herself to think of Colin in such intimate terms the more aroused she became and that was not right.
Hope marched off, putting a safe distance between herself and the men… Colin in particular. She wasted no time in splash
ing a generous handful of water in her face and taking a deep breath.
Lady sat a few feet away, watching her with woeful eyes as though she understood her master’s dilemma and sympathized.
Why must she find him attractive? He obviously was a charmer with the ladies, having had several women approach him in each of the villages they had stopped at and him not turning them away. One could only assume that he did not take love seriously. If it was a good romp in the sack she was looking for then he would certainly fill her needs, but she wanted more. She wanted love, but what did Colin want?
She shook her head. She did not think even he knew what he searched for.
She sighed and turned to Lady. “A dilemma for certain.”
Lady snorted her agreement.
Hope hurried and saw to her own care before someone discovered her missing and came in search of her. Soreness made her movements awkward, and she was certain her recent chores had not helped her healing, but then she was expected to do a lad’s share.
She returned as the men were slipping back into their clothes and took a seat on a large stone to wait.
Colin made his way over to her and she fought to keep from inspecting his bare chest as only a woman could.
“Where did you go?”
Useless.
That word seemed to be constantly in her head lately. And of course it was useless to lie to him; he was much too alert and aware of his surroundings, a warrior’s trait for sure.
But she was quick enough to reply. “Lady and I went to tend to our duties.”
This was a reasonable enough explanation; so why did he look as though he did not believe her?
Uncomfortable with the way his deep brown eyes scrutinized her, she shifted her position on the rock. She lost her balance and slipped off, the sudden jolt causing a stab of pain to her injured side.
Colin’s arm went out, grabbing her around the waist, and her hand grasped his solid muscle for support.
His flesh was cool, his muscles hard, and the strength of him tingled beneath her touch. She quickly righted herself and just as quickly stepped away from him.
“Your side still pains you?”
She was reluctant to speak, knowing her voice would tremble. She kept her response brief. “A bit.”
“You will ride until we make camp,” he ordered and turned to walk away only to stop and turn around. “And if you wish to wander off on your own you will ask permission before doing so.”
His remark annoyed her independent spirit and sparked a fire in her eyes that caused Colin to smile. “Choose your battles wisely, lad.”
She understood that he warned her she would not see victory in this situation. Why charge headfirst into a battle when defeat was imminent? But then he was not aware of her tenacious nature, and she knew that with patience she would see victory.
“I always do,” she said with a confident grin and marched past Colin with Lady close at her heels.
Colin watched Harold walk away with an overly confident swagger. He would prove to be a handful—of that he had no doubt—but he liked the lad. He was independent and inquisitive and prepared to face whatever life dealt him. His frail appearance belied his true character and perhaps it was that appearance that always made Colin feel protective of him. When they returned to Shanekill Keep he would make certain he began lessons in self-defense, and hopefully with an abundance of food and proper care he would begin to gain weight and muscle.
He watched as Harold wasted no time in lending a helping hand to the men. He was not afraid to do his share and then some, though it was obvious pain still haunted him. And the fact that the lad suffered disturbed Colin. He did not wish to see him suffer needlessly.
“Harold,” he shouted sternly, causing everyone to stop suddenly and look his way. He realized his voice was more firm than he had intended, though he chose not to alter it. “Rest until we are ready to leave and you will ride for the remainder of the day’s journey.”
Hope almost protested his edict but then thought of his recent remark—choose your battles wisely—and she held her tongue.
She simply nodded and found a sunny spot to sit with Lady and wait.
That evening Hope sat by the fire nibbling at the roasted rabbit and listening intently to the men’s conversation. Talk had turned to women and Hope was amazed at the comments the men made.
“Women do not make sense,” John said adamantly after downing a generous portion of ale.
Stuart laughed. “True enough.”
“Your problem is that you try to make sense of them,” Colin said, sounding as though he had no difficulty understanding women.
“It helps to understand when you have a wife,” Stuart attempted to explain.
John grinned. “He is right. Bedding a woman takes no understanding; marrying one does.”
Hope’s glance shifted from one man to another as they spoke. She found their comments interesting and was anxious to hear more.
“A foolish thought,” Colin said, taking a bite of rabbit.
Daniel, the quiet one of the group, spoke with a teasing lilt. “We are mere mortals, not legendary lovers like you.”
The men laughed, humor wrinkling their faces though envy could be seen as well.
“I simply know how to charm,” Colin said confidently.
“It is your tongue that charms and in more ways than one,” John said with a snicker.
Stuart smiled as he joined in. “My wife tells me that you are the talk of the keep, the lassies sharing tales of your infamous charm.”
Colin gave a slight bow of his head. “I only wish to please.”
Daniel spoke again. “I have trouble pleasing one woman. How do you manage to please so many?”
“I give them what they want,” Colin said as if he possessed a secret.
“What do they want?” John asked curiously.
Hope found herself eager to hear his answer. Lady’s ears also perked up.
“Me,” Colin said with a proud thump to his chest.
The men laughed and raised their cups in a salute.
Hope was not as satisfied as the men and asked a question only a woman would. “What if it is not you a woman wants?”
The laughter died and the men turned wide eyes on the lad.
Stuart spoke, though they all looked ready and eager to defend Colin. “All women lust after him.”
John agreed with a firm nod. “That they do. They cannot keep their eyes off him.”
Daniel’s voice was adamant. “I have seen women fight over him.”
Hope grew annoyed. “Why do they fight? He seems to make himself available to all.”
The men laughed again.
“He is but one man, lad,” Stuart said.
“With the stamina of ten,” John added with a snicker.
Daniel grinned. “I do not think the lad has the experience to understand of what we speak.”
All eyes fell on Hope, and it was with a false bravado that she spoke. “I know of what you speak.”
John sat forward with a teasing grin. “So tell us of your exploits with women.”
Hope’s bravado grew, and she leaned closer to him. “Why? Do you need advice?”
The men roared and John found himself speechless.
Colin laughed along with the men, though he realized that the lad’s sharp wit could cause him endless trouble. And yet he dared to speak his piece no matter the consequences. Colin wisely changed the subject when the laughter subsided. “Tomorrow we stop at Croom Abbey.”
“You think the lass may have taken shelter there?” Stuart asked.
“If she has, she is a determined one to make it this far on her own,” Colin answered. “And I will certainly be curious to discover exactly how she accomplished such an unusual feat for a woman.”
“I hope she gets the thrashing she deserves for causing so much trouble,” John said without a shred of compassion.
“Her intended will certainly have his hands full with the lik
es of her,” Daniel said, his sympathy for the man obvious.
“She does appear to possess an adventurous spirit,” Colin said with a hint of admiration.
“Which needs taming,” Stuart said firmly.
“A pity,” Colin said, his charming smile surfacing. “An adventurous woman can prove interesting.”
“Trouble she is,” Stuart warned. “Nothing but trouble.”
Trouble.
She was causing her uncle needless trouble and worry by being adventurous and yet she felt the need to continue her adventure. Upon her return she would marry and never again have a chance to explore and learn about life. And then there was Colin.
In a strange way she felt he understood her reason for running away and did not judge her for it. But how understanding would he be when he discovered Harold’s true identity? Would he find Hope adventurous then? Or would he consider her a troublesome woman who deserved taming?
And why did his opinion of her matter? Was she like all the other women who fell under the spell of his charming tongue and good looks?
She shifted her glance around the camp, watching the men settle down for the night and allowing her eyes to stray to Colin when she saw that no one took notice.
His good looks could not be denied and yet it was his character that intrigued her. Under that polished charm laid a different man, and she wondered who he was and whether he wished to love instead of always charm.
Did he ever wish to find one woman to please and love forever? Did he ever think of love, a binding love that could not be denied? Or did he think his charm would suffice for love?
Lady whimpered softly, alerting Hope to her need to see to her nightly duty. Also, Lady did not care to be on her own in the dark woods. Hope had to accompany her.
Hope stood, an eager Lady standing along with her. She was making her way to the outskirts of camp when her eyes met with Colin’s.
No charm glistened in his dark eyes; instead, they warned with an icy chill that sent a shiver racing down her spine.
She instinctively obeyed his silent caution and approached him. With a tremble to her voice she fought to hide she said, “Lady needs to see to her duty.”
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