"I am happy for you both," she said, closing her eyes against the tears.
"We would like for you to stay here at Bearach Castle with us, if you wish it," Neacal said.
Her tears welled faster. "I thank you. You're incredibly generous." But what if they found her to be a great burden?
***
Kristina's tears ripped at Colin's heart. He could see how appreciative and touched she was to be welcomed to stay here indefinitely. But something gnawed at him. He could not see her staying here. Instead, he only saw her by his side. Would she be interested? Would she want to leave her sister again and live with him at Rhodie Castle? Would his clan approve of her as his wife? His gut instinct told him that his father would not like the idea. He wanted Colin to marry an important chief's daughter and form a clan alliance.
Kristina's blindness did not bother him at all, but he could well imagine his clan might have reservations.
"Colin?" Neacal's voice brought him out of his deep thoughts. His friend waited near the door.
He lifted Kristina's hand and kissed it. "I will see you in the morn, Lady Kristina."
"Very well, and thank you again. Good night."
"Good night." He bowed to Anna and followed Neacal out and along the dim corridor. "I could use a sip or two of whisky." Colin suspected he might have a difficult time putting Kristina from his mind this night.
"I have plenty." Once in the solar, Neacal poured two small glasses of whisky. "'Tis clear to me you're smitten with the lass."
"Mayhap." Colin saw no point in denying it. His insightful friend would spot any half-truths he told anyway.
Neacal grinned, offering him the glass.
"Slàinte mhaith," they exchanged in toast.
Colin sipped the fiery liquid and let it trickle slowly down his throat. "Her tears rip my heart out. I cannot withstand it."
"I know what you mean. I'm compelled to give Anna anything she wants. Her happiness is more important than mine own."
"Aye, we risked our lives for them and would again," Colin said.
"Indeed. So… will you ask Lady Kristina to marry you?"
***
The next morn, after Colin had gotten little sleep, that monumental question was still burning in his mind—would he ask Kristina to marry him? Hell, he wanted to, but many things made him hesitate. First, he had to figure out whether she would accept without actually asking her. What if she didn't wish to marry, and instead wanted to stay with her sister? What if, God forbid, she rejected him just as his former fiancée had?
Kristina truly did astound him. He wished to get to know her better, but something held him back. He sensed something was holding her back, too. It came through in some of her snippy comments, as if she were trying to push him away. But after that, she couldn't prevent her true self from emerging.
After breaking their fast, he, Neacal, the MacKenzies, and some of the other men went out searching for Tom Thorburn and Patrick Cameron, his two clansmen Holme and his cronies had ambushed days ago. Colin had sent some men to search for them after they had arrived back the day before, but no one had been able to find them.
Gray, leaden clouds drifted low over the loch, the pine forest and the rugged landscape as if the rain might begin at any moment.
When they were deeper in the wood, Neacal's brown wolfhound, Dunn, stuck his nose in the air, drew in several whiffs, then sprang forward at a lope. The men followed at a brisk pace, scrambling over the rocks and rough terrain, struggling to keep up with the long-legged, shaggy animal. A sinking feeling of dread lodged into Colin's stomach.
A few minutes later, they found the bodies, covered by leaves and pine needles, hidden in a shallow ravine in the wood. Even though Colin had known, deep down, that they were dead, a merciless mixture of anguish and fury slammed into him.
"Bastard!" Colin growled. "Holme will pay for this."
"Blackburn taught him well," Neacal muttered.
"Or maybe his father did. To think, Holme had Kristina captured and at his mercy for hours. He could've killed her so easily." Latent fear for Kristina rose up and gored him.
Neacal clasped his shoulder, gaining his attention. His sharp blue gaze speared through the dark haze of angst and rage. "But he didn't kill her. You saved her life."
'Twas true. He couldn't allow Holme's evil deeds to drown his rationality. "I couldn't have done it without all the men you sent who helped."
Neacal nodded. "She's safe now."
"Aye." Colin had to keep telling himself that. "But from now on I will have to be on my guard until Holme is either dead or imprisoned."
***
Later that day, they held funerals and burials for his two fallen clansmen.
Afterward, Colin bathed, needing to wash the death and destruction from his body and mind. Though he soaked in the wooden tub before the fireplace in his room until the water grew cold and the room darkened, gloom still hung over him, and he felt sullied by the lingering thoughts of Red Holme's evil.
He needed to see Kristina. If he could only talk to her for a few minutes, she would lighten his soul. He shoved himself from the tub, dried off and dressed in a clean shirt and belted plaid.
He had looked in on her earlier, but she'd been sleeping. He hoped that meant she was recovering quickly. 'Twas almost time for supper to be served, but he would visit her first. He looked forward to the time when she would be well enough to join them in the great hall for meals.
At her chamber door, he knocked.
Anna opened it. She smiled and turned back to the bed. "You have a handsome visitor, Kristina."
Colin felt his face heating. Hell, since when did he blush? He was no green lad.
"I thank you." He bowed, and when his gaze lit on Kristina's face, he found she was blushing, too. As well, she was sitting up in the bed, leaning back against pillows. Her golden hair had been washed and brushed. Some of her curls had been braided into a beautiful style. If not for the horrific bruise on her cheek, she would've looked like a princess.
"You ladies are both exceptionally lovely this eve."
"Such flattery will gain you many smiles," Anna said. "Right, Kristina?"
Her blush deepened and she grinned, magnifying her beauty a hundredfold. "Aye."
"Would you mind keeping her company while I dress for supper?" Anna asked him.
"'Twould be my pleasure." And the reason he'd come here.
"I must also scribe a missive to Aunt Matilda and Uncle Gilbert in Stirling, letting them know we're both all right. Neacal said he would have one of his messengers deliver it."
"Oh, how I miss them. Tell them I love them," Kristina said.
"I will." Anna exited, leaving the door ajar.
"You look near recovered, Kristina. Do you feel better?" The chair squeaked as Colin sat down in it. The wooden chair legs scraped over the floor as he dragged it closer to the bed. Kristina was glad. She wanted him as near as possible.
"Aye." She did feel better, especially now that he was here. "The herbal tea and cool compresses have helped. The pain is gradually going away."
"Thank the saints." He took her hand into his big, warm one. She squeezed his fingers, enjoying his strength, thankful for his presence. She wished he would never leave her side. Wished he would always be close enough to touch her. He instantly brought a calm peacefulness over her. But she could not become too attached to him, she reminded herself.
"Have you been eating?" he asked.
"Anna is making sure of it. She near pours the broth down my throat."
He blew out a breath of a snicker. "She's a good sister. With her care and Tavia's you will be up and around in no time. Hopefully, soon, you will be eating in the great hall with us."
She nodded, something far less pleasant coming to mind. Something she'd been mulling over for a couple of hours. "Anna told me about the funeral for your two clansmen. I'm so sorry for your loss and I feel horrible they were killed while protecting me."
"Nay, do not feel b
ad," he said in a compassionate tone. "They loved being soldiers and guards, and they considered it an honor to help rescue you."
Tears sprang to her eyes as she imagined such good men losing their lives to the brutal Holme.
"Please don't blame yourself." Colin stroked his thumb over her palm. "They would not wish you to do that."
She nodded and swallowed, trying to force the constriction away from her throat. "Will you take me to their graves, so I might place flowers there and thank them?"
"Of course, my sweet, if you wish it."
"In a few days, when I feel better."
"Aye. They would be honored, and I'm sure they already ken of your gratitude."
For the next quarter hour, he told her amusing stories of Thorburn's and Patrick's exploits and adventures. She knew he was trying to brighten her mood. But she was also saddened that the two couldn't have any more adventures. This brought to mind Ralston, the guard who had helped her on her journey here.
"Do you know if Ralston was killed in the battle?" she asked.
"Who?"
"I think I mentioned before… Ralston was one of Blackburn's guards who protected me from Holme during our travels here."
"I have no inkling if he survived. I could ask Neacal, but I would need a visual description."
Her heart sank. "Aye. And I don't know what he looked like. I would have to identify him by his voice."
"Did you… become close to him?"
"He treated me like a sister. Even though he worked for Blackburn, he seemed a good man."
"If I find out anything, I'll let you know."
The door creaked open. "Supper is being served, Sir Colin," Tavia said. A food tray clattered onto a nearby table.
"Aye." He stood, his chair making a creaking sound. "Lady Kristina, would you like to accompany me to the great hall?"
"Mayhap tomorrow. I'm not certain I'm able now. But I hope you enjoy your meal."
When he kissed the back of her hand, she relished the feel of his warm, sensual lips on her skin. Heat rushed over her, and she wished his lips were caressing hers instead.
"I will see you later, then," he said.
When he exited, she felt bereft and alone, even though Tavia was there, handing her a chunk of bread.
"Sir Colin is a handsome lad," Tavia said.
"Aye, he is."
Tavia snickered. "And how did you figure this out?"
"Anna told me, but even before that, I knew or sensed it." She didn't want to tell Tavia that she'd traced her fingers over Colin's face. Surely that was too intimate. But she wished to do it again. It seemed forever since the nights she'd slept in Colin's arms, even though it had only been a couple of days. Those two times were all it had taken for her to become accustomed to his touch and sleeping well-protected against his warm, strong body. She craved that feeling. When might she get to sleep beside him again?
***
Red Holme rode east through the Highlands, leading his two remaining men, Dobson and Scroggie. Damn Cameron and his men for killing Mungo at the campsite. Where had Cameron gotten so many men in a few hours' time? There had to have been over a dozen.
Holme glanced around at the dull-gray granite mountains, having no inkling where he was. Finally, the rugged mountains gave way to gentler rust-colored, bracken-clothed hills. Aye, this area was starting to look familiar. He had been here over a decade ago, and 'twas not far to Rhodie Castle.
When he thought of how the Cameron clan had stolen his birthright, fury gnawed at him, making him more determined than ever for vengeance.
Rhodie Castle had been held by the MacKillican clan for generations, given to his direct ancestor by King James II for loyalty and service. Why should the Camerons have it now, given to them by King James VI? 'Twas true that his da had refused to appear before the king or pay the exorbitant fine levied against him. And finally his da had killed the king's representative who'd come to put him in his place, but 'twas naught more than the man deserved.
'Twas all in the past. At present, if Holme couldn't have Rhodie Castle, neither would the Camerons.
Although Holme was outnumbered, as he always had been, that wouldn't matter, for he was going to use new tactics. He would pick off the Camerons one by one if he had to, until he downed Chief Cameron himself, the man who was responsible for his father's death. And of course, he would execute Colin Cameron, too.
Finally, Holme and his men crested a familiar hill and he spied Rhodie Castle in the distance, gleaming pale against the golden-brown, bracken-covered hills.
He was home, finally, after all these years. More than anything, I want to reclaim it for you, Da. But since King James would never allow him to hold it, he would at least ensure the thieves did not live to enjoy it. Then, his father would no longer see him as a weak coward. His father would be proud of him.
Making certain no one spied them, Holme and his two men gradually moved closer to the castle and sat amid the bushes and trees, watching the closed portcullis. Sooner or later, a Cameron would step out.
Chapter Ten
Two days later, Colin was honored to sit beside Kristina in the great hall, for she was a woman like no other he had ever met. Though her face was still bruised a blueish-violet color, she was improved enough to eat supper with the clan, and he was thankful for that. Several clansmen had stopped by the table to welcome her and to tell her they were glad she was improving. She gave each of them a bonny smile, and he could hardly keep from staring at her.
The servants carried large platters of venison, grouse, fish, bread, cheese and various other foods to the tables.
Kristina leaned toward him and whispered, "Is anyone staring at me?"
"I am."
Grinning, she blushed. "Cease your teasing, Colin Cameron."
"'Tis true."
"Rogue," she whispered, her smile turning mischievous. "I mean others."
Wondering why she was concerned, he glanced around the hall, then back to her. "Nay, I see no one looking in your direction. Why do you ask?"
She shrugged and shook her head, sitting straight again and looking a bit uncomfortable.
"If they are staring, 'tis because you're beautiful."
Her blush deepened, and she offered a slight grin. "Nonsense. But I thank you for lying to me."
"I'm not lying," he said firmly. Leaning closer, he whispered, "You are the only woman here I wish to stare at."
Her smile seemed more genuine now. Saints! He would love to kiss her but would have to wait until they had some privacy.
Neacal's white-haired great uncle, Bhatar, stood from his seat at the high table, a few chairs down, and began saying grace.
Colin bowed his head and closed his eyes, realizing this darkness was all Kristina saw every moment of the day and night. He tried to imagine what life must be like for her—how incredibly difficult.
After the prayer was finished, Colin kept his eyes closed a moment longer. A chorus of amen was murmured. Then many conversations began at once, blending into a roar, the clatter of ale tankards, spoons against wooden bowls, knives against wooden trenchers. The many sounds had to be confusing and chaotic for Kristina. His greatest anxiety would be that he couldn't see who might be sneaking up behind him.
He opened his eyes and leaned toward her to speak low. "Do you ever get leery of who might be slipping up behind you?"
"I used to. But now I can hear or sense, somehow, if they do."
"In truth? That seems a useful ability. You will have to tell me more about that sometime."
Kristina nodded.
Anna, sitting on her left side, lifted Kristina's hand and placed a piece of crusty bread in it. "Here's bread, sister."
"I thank you." She sniffed it, took a small bite, and chewed. "'Tis heavenly. We could've used this in the cave, aye, Colin?"
"Indeed." He relished her companionable tone. "Would you allow me to cut up your venison?"
"I would appreciate that."
Colin enjoyed helping her
. After he'd finished, he watched her carefully sliding her fingertips across the linen tablecloth until she encountered her own tankard of ale. She then picked it up, held it in both hands and gracefully took a dainty sip. Afterward, she placed it back where it had been.
He found her skills at the table nearly the same as a sighted person.
She faced him and raised her brows. "Are you still staring at me?"
Colin couldn't hold back the smile. "How did you ken I was?"
"I sensed it. You're sitting very still and not eating. I can tell you're turned toward me because I hear your shallow breathing."
"Och. I can get naught past you, can I?"
"Nay." She gave a wee half smile.
"Well, I was just thinking how graceful you are at eating, even though you cannot see."
"I've had a lot of practice." She picked up a piece of the venison and bit it in half.
A commotion began among the three guards at the entry, then one of them rushed toward the high table. "Chief," he addressed Neacal in a lower tone. "We found one of Blackburn's men lurking about in the wood.
Could it be Red Holme? Colin shoved up from his chair, ready to go choke the bastard.
"Where is he now?" Neacal asked.
"In the courtyard. We have him bound. Do you want us to put him in the dungeon?"
"Did he tell you his name?"
"Aye. Ralston."
"Ralston?" Kristina piped up, her brow furrowed in concern. "Is he injured?"
The guard looked at her in surprise.
Neacal sent a questioning glance at Colin.
"He was her guard on the journey here, and treated her well. Right, Lady Kristina?" Colin asked.
"Aye, he is a good man. I pray no one has harmed him."
"He's well enough, 'haps a few wee cuts and bruises," the guard said. "And he did ask about you, m'lady."
Colin frowned. Why? Had the guard come back for her?
"Put him in a holding cell, remove the bindings and give him fresh bread and water," Neacal said. "I'll question him in a short while."
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