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ONCE HANNISH WAS FAR enough away, he doubled back and circled around a couple of times to confuse his tracks. He could have stopped the horse not long after that but he didn’t. Instead, he allowed the mount to slow to a walk and kept Bethia close to him for as long as she would stay.
“I am so sorry.”
He smiled. “You have done nothing wrong.”
“I forgot about the marks on the horseshoes and they were able to follow us.”
At last, he brought the horse to a standstill. “You are forgiven. We are safe now, just rest.”
She nodded, but she did not let go and neither did he. She could hear his heart pounding and feel his tense chest muscles as he breathed in and out. She desperately wanted to stay just a little longer and pretend he was hers again. At length, she began to release him and sit up straight.
Then it happened.
She looked up into his eyes and could not resist. Suddenly, she was kissing him passionately and he was kissing her back. Shocked by her own actions, she jerked away and bowed her head. “Dear God, what have I done? I...I did not mean...I mean...it will not happen again, I promise.”
He was as upset as she was. “The fault is mine.” He gently helped her down, dismounted and then untied a sack from his belt. “I have more wine and I know I hurt you.”
She gladly took the flask, pulled out the wooden stopper and drank. Then she handed it back and turned away so he could not see her face. “How far from home are we? I mean we only have one horse now.”
“Several days still.”
She kept her back to him and closed her eyes. ”Perhaps we can buy another horse along the way. I removed the rest of the jewels and put them in my belt.”
He did not want to look her in the eye either. “I am happy to hear it. Be quiet for a moment and let me listen.” She did as he asked. He listened and when he did not hear the sounds of horses moving through the woods, he relaxed. “The horse needs to rest and you need to eat.”
He set the new sack down, removed his other sack and took the bridle off his horse. Then he patted the stallion’s rump and watched him wander off to look for food. Hannish pulled his extra plaid out, spread it on the ground and then pulled bread, cheese and apples out of the new sack. “Do you want me to put the medicine on your back now or after we eat?”
“After.” She was not ready to sit by him or even look at him. She could still feel his lips on hers and it had awakened emotions she wanted desperately to suppress. They had spent less than two days together and already they could not keep from kissing each other. Bethia was losing her mind.
“Neil will be happy to see you.” He glanced at her long enough to see her fists were clenched. He felt awful about kissing her. He caused her to be unfaithful, she was upset and there was nothing he could do to take it back. Perhaps if he distracted her, she would calm down. “Did you like living in England?”
She did not want to talk—she wanted to scream. How could he be so calm? She violated his marriage vows and he should be furious with her. “I spent most of my time learning more of the language.”
“I only know a few words myself. English is a difficult language.”
She found herself staring off into space and had trouble remembering what they were talking about. “Aye.”
“Did you see a castle? I hear they are ...”
She suddenly turned her glare on him. “Why did the MacDonalds attack? I mean they have threatened since before the war with Sween. Why now?”
He studied her determined expression and then looked away. “Bethia, is that really want you want to know?”
He was right, she did not want to discuss England or what happened to her home. She wanted to know how he could choose Iona over her and then still kiss her that way. “How is Iona?”
“Iona?”
“Aye, is she well?”
“She was the last time I saw her. She gave birth to a lassie last spring.”
Bethia felt like someone stabbed her heart and she dared not breathe for fear he might see her distress. He had a daughter with Iona and she wanted to be the one to give him children. “That is wonderful.” Without thinking, she moved closer and took the chunk of cheese he held out to her. ”When was the last time you saw her?”
“Before the attack.”
“How long ago was that?”
He took a moment to think. “Three months, maybe four.”
“Do you mean you have not seen her in all that time?”
Hannish took a deep breath. “You do not understand. Neil had us dig a tunnel. It went from the Keep, under the moat and into the forest. We escaped that way. Save for Neil’s guards, the lads each took ten people out and got them away. I was chosen to guard Neil.”
She went to the plaid and sunk down on her knees. “So it was more important to keep Neil safe than to care for Iona and the baby?”
“Nay, it was more important to draw the MacDonalds away so the others could escape. Neil used himself and got them to chase us instead.”
Bethia took a bite of the bread he handed her and tried to understand. “I see. Yet you have not seen her since then?” When he said nothing, she slowly raised her voice. “You do not know if she is dead or alive, do you?”
He remembered that she and Iona were friends, but he never imagined she would get this upset over not knowing where Iona was. He kept his voice soft and controlled. “Nay, I do not know.”
“How can you be so calm? You should be out there looking for her.”
“Out where? I scoured the land and sent every MacGreagor I could find to Neil. Where do you suggest I look? She could be anywhere.”
Bethia quickly lowered her head and her voice. He was suffering over the loss of a wife and child, and she should not be shaming him. “I am sorry, you have been through enough and I should not yell at you.”
He had no idea what she was talking about, but he supposed from a woman’s point of view, being chased by MacDonalds and killing men might seem like going through enough. “I would rather hear about England.”
She rubbed her forehead, “What would you like to know?”
What he really wanted to know was how she could have left him without a word, taken a English husband and then kissed him the way she did just now. “Why did you go to England?”
“I could not ... it was the best thing to do under the circumstances.”
“What circumstances?”
She stared at him and then clicked her tongue on the top of her mouth. How could he ask her that? Did he want to see if it still hurt? Did he want to see her cry? “My reasons were personal.”
“Were you forced to go?” He wished she would say yes and that way he could understand, but he did not get his wish.
“Nay, I was not forced. Can we talk of something else?” She finished eating her cheese and bread, and then took an apple and bit into it.
“If you like. Shall I tell you about the nine sisters?” When she nodded, he smiled and got more comfortable. He told her about the sisters and their singing, about finding Walrick and about Walrick’s marriage to Steppen.
“I am not surprised, Steppen always loved him.”
“I did not know that and neither did Walrick.”
“Lads do not often know what is in a lass’ heart, it seems.”
“Do you mean me?” She didn’t answer, so he tried to think of something else amusing to tell her. He talked about the MacClurgs, the river, the glen and the golden sword.
It was all very fascinating, but she was hardly listening. How could he be so calm? Even if he did not still love Iona, how could he not be frantic over his daughter? Obviously, there was a lot she did not know about this man.
“Bethia, why are you crying?”
She hadn’t realized she was and quickly wiped the tears off her cheek. “I...was just thinking of Greer.”
“Who is Greer?”
“She was my only friend in England.” Bethia got to her feet and tossed her apple core away.
“Do you want me to put the medicine on your back now?”
“I would like you to find a lass to do it.”
He got to his feet also. “I would like that too, but we are on Cameron land.”
“Then perhaps tomorrow you could take me to that village.”
“You wear a MacGreagor plaid. The Camerons refused to give us sanctuary and ‘tis dangerous here.”
“Then we could wait for another day.”
“Bethia, you cry in your sleep and you need the medicine today. Please do not argue with me.”
“I cry in my sleep?”
“Unless I hold your hand.” He bent down and grabbed the sack. Then he reached inside and pulled out a small metal canister.
“You hold my hand while I sleep?”
“If I do not, you do not let me rest.” He glared at her until she looked away.
“Is that why you look so tired?”
He closed his eyes for a moment and then walked around behind her. He set the small metal canister on the ground and moved her hair out of the way. Then he removed the strip of plaid from her shoulder and started to pull her shirt out of the back of her belt. While she kept her front covered, he lifted the back of her shirt and laid it over her shoulders.
“Is it very bad?”
“You have two deep cuts. When did this happen?”
“Three...no four days ago. It should be healed soon.”
“The lass said the medicine will hurt.” He reached down, picked up the container, opened it and dipped his finger in the yellow salve. “Prepare yourself.”
She nodded, but when his finger touched the wound, she caught her breath and couldn’t help but arch her back. “Do it quickly.” First, it started to sting and then it burned and she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out. Then blessedly he was finished and when he lowered her shirt, she walked to a tree and grabbed hold of a branch to steady herself.
