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."

"Aye, chief." The guard bowed and strode away.

Colin sat down again, disappointed that Red Holme was not apprehended.

Kristina turned to him. "I must speak to Ralston. He is not a bad person."

"I will go with Neacal to question him first. If he seems safe, then mayhap you can speak to him, but I make no promises."

"Very well." Kristina continued to look unsettled. She turned to her sister. "Do you think Tavia would check on him to see if he's injured?"

Colin listened in closely while sipping his ale.

"What do you know about this man?" Anna asked. "He didn't work for Blackburn two years ago, before we ran away."

"Nay. He was hired later. I know very little about him. Just that Blackburn assigned him to guard me on the way here. He got into a fight with Red Holme while protecting me."

Maybe the man wasn't terrible but… was he in love with Kristina? Why else would he risk returning for her after such a terrible battle when most of his comrades had been killed?

 

***

 

After supper was finished, Colin followed Neacal down the steps into the dungeon. Two guards, carrying torches, accompanied them. The smoke from the torches couldn't cover the dank, musty smell of the dungeon. At the bottom of the steps, they halted before the holding cell.

The man inside stood and approached the bars. He looked to be in his early twenties but, at the same time, burly and muscular.

"Ralston?" Neacal asked.

"Aye."

"What is your first name?"

"Finlay."

"I'm the MacDonald chief. And this is Colin Cameron, future chief of Clan Cameron."

Ralston bowed. "I'm greatly honored to meet you both."

"What were you doing lurking about outside?" Neacal asked.

"I but wanted to see if Lady Kristina is well."

"Aye, she is," Colin said. "Why do you care?"

"I feared Red Holme would kill her. The man is soulless. During the battle, I didn't see who took her or what happened. Then I noticed that Red Holme had disappeared, too."

"She's safe here now. I'll be marrying her sister," Neacal said. "And Lady Kristina can live here, protected behind these walls, as long as she wishes it."

"You didn't say why you care," Colin said, annoyance clawing at him.

Ralston sighed. "You may not believe me, but… I'm her brother."

"What?" Neacal demanded. "Anna and Kristina have no brother. Anna told me herself."

"Half-brother. She doesn't know about me. Neither of them does."

Colin frowned, exchanging a wary glance with Neacal. But he was relieved the lad had no romantic interest in Kristina. 'Twould be far better if he truly was her brother. That might explain why he had been so kind and helpful to Kristina on the trip.

"I never met my father," Ralston continued. "But my mother revealed, on her deathbed, who my father was—Chief Finlay MacQueen. They'd had a very brief tryst while he was married to someone else, and she had always kept it a secret. He didn't even know I existed. She also told me I have two sisters. I have no other family, so she wanted me to know about them."

"Why the devil were you working for a knave like Blackburn?" Neacal asked.

"My search for my sisters led me to the MacCromar clan's holdings. I couldn't ask where the ladies were, outright. That would've looked highly suspicious. I told the guards and Blackburn that I was looking for work. I figured if I was a guard there, I would see my sisters eventually. But I learned both women had run away a year before and that Blackburn was looking for Anna incessantly. I stayed on because I figured if anyone could find my sisters, it would be Blackburn. He had many men at his disposal and the funds to pay them. I had naught, and I didn't even know what my sisters looked like. I couldn't search for them alone. So, I kept quiet and observed Blackburn and his men. When I learned he was going to abduct Lady Kristina, I knew I had to protect her."

This seemed a plausible story and Ralston appeared sincere. But Colin couldn't depend upon the veracity of it, because doing so could put Kristina in danger again.

Neacal narrowed his eyes. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

Ralston shrugged. "I have no proof. But if you ask Lady Kristina, she will likely tell you I was naught but honorable on the journey here. I helped her and protected her as much as I could."

"I will speak to her about it," Colin said.

"Aye, we both will," Neacal said. "In the meantime, I'll have more food sent down. Are you in need of a healer?"

"Nay. I have no serious injuries. I'm simply glad both my sisters are well."

Colin eyed him, realizing he did see a slight family resemblance. Ralston's hair was tawny, a few shades darker than the ladies' hair, and his eyes were a light color which was difficult to discern in the dimness and torchlight.

After climbing the steps to the courtyard, Neacal said, "Though he appears to be telling the truth, I know not whether to trust him."

"I agree." Colin felt conflicted about the situation.

"Even if he was kind and helpful to Kristina, that doesn't mean he's their brother."

"'Tis true, but there is a family resemblance," Colin begrudgingly admitted.

"I noticed," Neacal muttered, glaring back toward the dungeon entrance.

"Did Anna not mention anything about a brother or her father's natural children?"

"Nay. I think this will be a tremendous surprise to her."

Colin shrugged. "If 'tis true, I hope the ladies will view the situation favorably."

"I wish we had proof, or a witness, at least. 'Tis difficult to go on a stranger's word only."

 

***

 

Colin watched as Anna led Kristina into the library and helped her get seated at the table. Both sisters appeared anxious.

"What is this about, Neacal?" Anna stood behind her sister's chair.

Neacal paced, then placed his hand on the mantel. "First, we need to ask how Ralston treated you on the journey from Stirling, Kristina."

"Oh." Her face brightened. "As I said, he was kind and helpful. Whether we were in a village tavern or out on the moor, he brought me food and drink. When Holme attacked me in the tent one night, Ralston dragged him out and got into a fist-fight with him. Ralston told me I reminded him of his sister. Why do you ask?"

Neacal raised a brow, sending Colin a leery glance. Were they wondering the same thing? Had Ralston been trying to feed her a suggestion so she would think of him as a brother and trust him?

Neacal inhaled a deep breath and let it out. "Do you ladies have a half-brother?"

Anna frowned. "Nay, why?"

"Ralston!" Kristina announced, her face alive with excitement.

"You know of this?" Colin asked, shocked.

"What?" Anna demanded, looking confused. "We have a half-brother?"

"I sensed it. He seems like a brother to me." Kristina grinned. "I always wanted a brother."

"What did he tell you?" Anna asked Neacal.

"He said he is your father's natural child, but he never met the man. On her deathbed, his mother told him his father's name and that he has two sisters."

"Good heavens," Anna breathed and dropped into the chair beside her sister. "What is his first name? How old is he?"

"His first name is Finlay."

Anna gasped, her eyes wide. "That's our da's name."

Kristina's mouth dropped open. "I never thought to ask his given name."

"It could be a lie," Colin muttered. "That information would be easy to find out. All of this could be a grand scheme as he tries to get closer to you ladies for some nefarious purpose."

"There is no nefarious purpose, Colin," Kristina said in a persuasive tone. "I wish to talk to him, please."

Colin exhaled an annoyed breath and glanced to Neacal to see what he thought of the idea. His scowl said everything.

"Did he tell you his age?" Anna wondered.

"Nay, but he appears to be in his early twenties," Neacal said.

Curiosity lit Anna's green eyes. "I need to know more. I want to speak with him, too."

Neacal stared at her intently, concern and worry in his gaze.

"Surely it will be completely safe with you and Colin here." Anna looked at him with pleading eyes. "You could have the guards bind his hands behind his back."

"Very well." Neacal glanced to him. "If Colin agrees."

"As long as he is bound, I don't see any harm in it. But, ladies, don't get your hopes up. He could be a very skilled liar."

"We'll bring him in here along with two guards," Neacal said. "But for your own safety, neither of you are to go near him."

A quarter hour later, two guards escorted Ralston into the library, his hands bound behind his back. Colin observed as Ralston smiled first at Kristina and then at Anna.

As Anna stared intently at Ralston, her mouth dropped open, and her hand flew up to cover it. Colin wanted to ask her what was going through her mind. Did he look familiar to her?

Ralston bowed. "Ladies, I'm glad to see you are both well, except for… Lady Kristina, where did you get such a horrible bruise?"

Kristina turned toward him. "Red Holme struck me, but I'm recovering. How are you? Were you injured?"

"Nay. Only a few scrapes and bruises." Ralston's attention shifted. "Lady Anna… or should I call you Lady MacCromar? I'm pleased to meet you."

She seemed to get her surprise under control. "Anna is fine. You told the chief you are our half-brother?"

"Aye. I don't believe my mother would lie on her deathbed. A priest was there as well, giving her last rites."

"I'm so sorry for your loss," Anna whispered, her eyes still searching his face.

Ralston gave a brief bow.

"Does he look like us, sister?" Kristina asked.

"Aye. He has blue eyes, like you. And his hair is a shade of dark blond. He resembles Da a great deal, especially his strong chin and jawline."

"I knew it!" Kristina smiled. "You seemed like a brother to me soon after I met you, Ralston."

"Well, I knew you were my sister then, but I could not reveal this information. I was simply trying to keep you safe from Blackburn and Holme."

"You did a good job, and I appreciate that."

"How old are you?" Anna asked.

"Twenty summers."

Kristina drew in a quick breath. "The same age as me."

"Aye." Anna frowned, her mouth tightening.

"What month were you born?" Kristina asked him.

"September."

"I was born in March." Kristina's brow furrowed. "Our da was a bit of a rogue, apparently."

"How could he have been unfaithful to Ma?" Anna demanded.

"I know not, but you cannot blame Ralston," Kristina said.

"I don't blame him. I simply thought Da the most honorable of men." Anna appeared devastated by this news.

Colin wished he could say something to offer consolation, but he knew not what. Some men did not take their marriage vows seriously, especially when they did not have a love match. He truly believed his own father had always been faithful to his mother, for they loved one another. And that was what Colin wanted, himself.

"Even if Ralston is your brother, how do we know for certain we can trust him?" Neacal asked.

Everyone waited in suspended silence for a long moment. Anna chewed her lip, her worried gaze swinging to Neacal and back to Ralston.

"You don't," Ralston said, his expression sincere. "I will have to prove myself trustworthy."

Colin admired the man for saying that.

"I found you trustworthy during our journey," Kristina said. "Will you be staying with us?"

"I would like to, for a while, if Chief MacDonald would permit me to."

Neacal's face was impassive. "I will think on it."

"If you have work, I can earn my keep," Ralston said.

"Is there some other secure place he could sleep, besides the dungeon?" Anna asked.

"Aye. I'll have a room set up for him." Neacal's gaze shifted to Ralston. "You will be locked in and guarded for the time being. I'm not trying to be unfriendly, but you must understand that my main priority is protecting the ladies. If there is even a slim chance you could harm either of them, I must prevent that."

 

***

 

Later that night, Kristina lay in bed awake, thinking how happy she was that Ralston was her brother. She'd always wanted a brother. Or maybe she'd somehow sensed that she had one, somewhere, and felt his absence.

Like Anna, she was a bit surprised and disappointed in her father, that he would have a liaison while married to their mother. Still, her joy in having a brother overshadowed all of that. Her parents had both passed, and she forgave them their faults.

"Are you awake?" The male whisper came from the doorway, and Kristina recognized it immediately.

"Colin?" Excitement propelled her bolt upright in bed.

"Aye." His warm, friendly voice made her smile.

"Come in," she murmured, trying to keep her voice down.

The door clicked closed, and booted feet approached the bed. "I had to see you again."

"I wanted to spend more time with you, too. And wanted to thank you for having Ralston brought in so we could talk to him."

The chair squeaked as Colin sat down beside the bed. "Well, he appears to be a decent man thus far. Let's hope he continues to be so."

"He will. I can sense things about people, like whether they have a kind heart or not."

"You're very canny." He was silent for a long moment. "What do you sense about me?"

His fresh-soap scent reached her, and she realized he'd recently bathed. She wished she could bury her nose against his chest, relax and drift toward sleep. Or kiss him. Aye, she was well enough now to receive one of his scorching kisses.

"I sense that you're a noble and honorable man with a good heart. You're gracious and courteous."

He lifted her hand and kissed it, and she wished he wouldn't stop there. His warm, smooth lips and contrasting scratchy beard stubble awakened her nerve endings and sent tingles over her body. She sighed, then suddenly wondered whether they might be disturbed.

She listened, not hearing anyone else. "Did Tavia and Anna go to bed?"

"Aye. 'Tis after midnight."

"Oh." Good, she was glad to be alone with Colin. "I've been awake longer than I realized. I'm excited to have a new brother."

"'Tis understandable."

"You've never told me… do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"Aye, a younger brother."

"What is his name?"

"Bryce. We've always been very close."

She lay back down, and Colin told her all about his brother and his mother and father. Finally growing drowsy, she yawned.

"I'm boring you," he said.

"Nay, 'tis not that at all. I love hearing about your family."

"Well, 'tis late. I must be getting back to my chamber." He arose from the chair.

The thought of him leaving made her feel cold and lonely. "You could rest here," she blurted.

He was silent for a long moment. "What do you mean by rest?"

Her face burned. Mayhap she shouldn't have said anything, but she did miss him lying beside her. "Like we rested in the cave. And by the fire pit."

He blew out a breath. "You wish me to hold you… while we sleep?"

"If you would like to. I enjoyed it."

"I did too, of course, but 'tis a bit different, being in a chamber… in a bed. Someone might walk in, see us, and assume the worst."

"Bar the door."

"You are a reckless wench." The humor was evident in Colin's voice.

He was right. When it came to him, she was reckless indeed. Her blood raced with excitement any time he was near.

"I'll be right back." A moment later, the bar fell into place.

She shoved the covers down so he could get underneath. When he returned, she heard him kicking off his boots.

The edge of the mattress dipped under his weight, then he stretched out beside her and pulled the covers over them both.

"No one will walk in and misunderstand what's going on here," she said.

Colin turned toward her, lying on his side. "I've been deeply concerned about your injury."

"I still have some pain, but I'm much improved now." She slid her arm around his waist.

He kissed her forehead, then tucked her head beneath his chin. "Am I making your pain worse?"

"Nay. Now we can sleep." Although she didn't truly want to sleep. Instead, she wished he would kiss her lips as he'd done in the cave. Her heart raced with anticipation. But maybe he thought she was still too injured for any kind of sensual contact. For now, she would revel in his warm, tight embrace. She loved the reverent way he touched her.

She buried her nose against his shirt and drew in his clean, delectable male scent. And the more she breathed him in, the more her imagination ran wild. She vividly recalled those earlier kisses, and her restlessness increased. She was unsure whether she could sleep now.

 

***

 

Colin cherished the woman in his arms. He had never met anyone like Kristina. She turned his heart into mush. He did not pity her because of the blindness, but he wished she could see for her own sake, so her life would be easier. Although he was certain this affliction had made her a stronger and more resilient person.

As for himself, he did crave for her to look into his eyes at times, but 'twas merely a selfish yearning on his part. One of the many yearnings he felt around her. She stirred up a much stronger desire than he'd ever felt for his former betrothed. Or maybe 'twas simply that Kristina blotted out his memory of any other woman.

All his adult life, he'd wanted a woman who inspired profound excitement in him. Kristina did that. Even though he hadn't known her long, she was incredibly special to him.

He knew he should not be here in her bed, but he couldn't resist holding her, especially when she'd asked him to. He could only lie here a brief time, maybe a half hour. For a certainty, he could not fall asleep, or he might be trapped here in the morning.

Kristina snuggled closer to him, pressing herself to his chest. She made a humming sound of pleasure. The round, firm curves of her breasts near drove him mad… even through his shirt and her smock. Arousal blazed along his veins like fiery whisky. Saints! How he wanted her. In the soft glow from the fireplace embers, her blond hair gleamed faintly.

When he stroked his hand over her back, she felt tense, not at all like she was almost asleep.

"Relax," he whispered. "Go to sleep."

"I'm trying, but you smell so good. You distract me."

She sure as hell distracted him, too. Knowing she was drawn to him only fired up his blood all the more. After sliding her arm down to his waist, she dragged herself even closer to him.

The sudden pressure against his shaft felt delicious and only compounded his yearning. Air hissed between his teeth.

"Oh, what is…?" She froze.

Damnation. Surely, she realized what she'd felt, but she might not if she was naïve and had been completely sheltered all her life.

What the devil could he say to her?

When she moved her hand to his chest and quickly slid it downward, his breath halted.

"Lass?" He grabbed her hand… even though he didn't want to. Saints! Why couldn't he be more roguish? Placing her hand on his shoulder, he cupped her chin and stroked his thumb across her lips. "I want you. That's what," he rasped. "You're tormenting the hell out of me."

She drew in a shuddering breath. "Oh."

He was stealing a kiss whether she liked it or not. He brushed his lips lightly against hers. When her lips parted, he drew in her excited exhales. Her lips were soft and silky… and so sweet, he thought he had entered into heaven.

Fisting her hands in his shirt, she tugged at him, then lifted her face to his. She was such an innocent… he should not be doing this. But how could he resist? He stroked his tongue along her full lower lip and then between.

"Colin," she gasped and opened her mouth a bit more. Entangling her fingers in his hair, she drew him closer.

Damnation! 'Twas clear to him she wanted him, too. Placing his hand on her wee round derriere, he dragged her hips tight against his. He wanted her to feel the full effects of what she'd done to him. Her groan exploded his passion like fire set to gunpowder.

He pulled his mouth away to nibble on her ear, then placed little kisses and licks down her throat. Her sweet scent stole his sanity.

"Colin?" she breathed. "That feels so good."

When he reached the top of her smock, where the tempting swells of her breasts began, he forced himself to pull his mouth away.

"I have to stop," he said through clenched teeth, then embraced her tightly. "I'm sorry I did that."

"Why?"

"You're an innocent."

"Aye, but… I don't wish to be."