Page 19 of Intrigued By A Highlander

“Thank you, husband, that is most considerate of you,” Dru said as she settled her head comfortably on his chest, though hard with muscle, surprisingly comfortable.

“You are my wife. It is my duty to take care of you.”

It was a stoic response, not a bit of feeling to it. Duty. She was nothing more than a duty to him. Shouldn’t she be relieved to know that? Whatever was the matter with her thinking otherwise? And she was sure some of the food the nuns had given her was partially rotted since that strange feeling returned to disturb her stomach.

She was glad she was too tired for her thoughts to keep her awake and her husband’s warmth made all the difference. It allowed her to drift off to sleep.

Not so, Knox. His wee wife was proving difficult after only one day of marriage. He had been forced to steel himself against any feelings after only a few days with the mercenaries. If he hadn’t, he would have never survived. Some days he hadn’t wanted to. Death was a better preference. But he had survived and lying here with his wife in his arms, he thought how nice it would be if it was real. That she actually cared for him if only a little.

Foolishness, he silently warned himself.

He allowed himself to be lured into a false sense of comfort and absurd hope. He needed to concentrate on finding Autumn, returning her to Lord Torrance and claiming the land he promised him. There was where he would find true comfort and hopefully peace.

He smiled at the slight scent of turnips that drifted off his wife just before falling asleep.

Dru stirred beneath her cloak,shifting against the cool ground, then blinked awake. The campfire had burned low, its embers casting a faint, flickering glow against the darkened forest.

Something was wrong.

She reached out instinctively, expecting to brush against Knox’s solid form beside her.

Nothing.

Frowning, she sat up, scanning the camp. The mare was still tethered, ears flicking, but Knox was nowhere in sight. Had he gone off to relieve himself? Had he heard something and went to investigate? He hadn’t deserted her, or his mare would be gone. So, where was he?

Dru pulled her cloak tighter around her, listening. The forest was quiet—too quiet.

She was vulnerable sitting here in front of the fire, an easy target. When on her own she always found a place to sleep that was tucked away from the elements, where no one could spot her.

Her head swerved to the side. Had she heard something? It came again.

A twig snapped.

She froze.

Slowly, she turned her head, heart hammering in her chest as she scanned the darkness beyond the dying fire’s glow. A shadow moved, stepping out from the trees, his heavy boots crunching against the fallen leaves.

A man.

He was tall, thickly built, and with a sword strapped to his back, daggers sheathed at his waist, and another tucked in his boot. His face was partially hidden by the hood of his cloak, but his sneer was clear enough.

“Well, well,” he said, sounding pleased with himself. “Looks like I found myself a bit of company.”

Dru stayed seated, keeping her posture relaxed, though every muscle in her body tensed. She needed to think, not panic. “You must be lost.”

The man chuckled, his amusement thick and unsettling. “Oh, I know exactly where I am. And I know exactly who you are.”

Dru arched a brow, fighting the fear that rose inside her, knowing it would do her no good to surrender to it. She needed her wits about her now.

“Do you now?” she asked, her voice light, unconcerned.

“Aye.” His head tilted as he studied her. “You’re the little fox who’s been sniffing around for Autumn.” He sneered. “That’s a dangerous game, lass.”

Dru clapped her hands together with feigned delight. “Oh, I do love a good game,” she said, her voice carrying, hoping that wherever Knox had gone, he’d hear her.

His sneer deepened and he let out a low chuckle. “Then you’ll enjoy this one. Tell me what you know, and maybe I won’t have to hurt you.”

“Take one step toward her and I’ll kill you, Rankin.”

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