Page 24 of Kilty as Sin
Unaware of her musings, Barclay had continued. “But the Hunters are always on the lookout for more men. When I attended Doughall's wedding to the last Oliphant sister, I agreed to sponsor her cousin. Craig Oliphant is the newest member of our team; he used to be a blacksmith and is the approximate size of an ox. Sometimes I worry he's got the brains of one too.”
Grace found herself smiling. “And that leaves...Payton?”
“Aye, he’s a McIntyre. Quiet. Thoughtful, but as ribald as the rest if I give him an opening. See that? Right there? Payton could make ‘Give him an opening’last for days of sexual innuendos.”
Surprised she actually got the joke, Grace hid her snort of laughter. “Do ye all have such naughty senses of humor?”
“Och, lass, what else do ye expect from men forced to work together in tight quarters? We’re no’ learning embroidery. But Payton’s a good man. Close-lipped, aye, but good to have at yer side in a battle. Drummond has paired us up more often than no’; he says Payton’s the only one who can put up with my chatter. Thinks he doesnae have much to offer the ladies, what with that scarred face of his, but more than a few of my bedma—well, more than a few ladies I’ve met have asked abouthiminstead.”
Hiding her smile at what he’d almost admitted, she thought of more questions for him. Grace didn’t think Barclay talked too much because she was infinitely curious about his life. “So, there's only the four of ye left now?”
Barclay patted the horse's neck and the animal carefully picked his way up an incline. “Och, nay. There's different teams of men, I assume. I just dinnae ken them as well as the ones I've fought beside.”
“I thought ye normally were sent off on missions alone.”
“Or in pairs.” He shrugged. “But I've fought beside them all a time or two.” He turned his head slightly so she could see his smile curve. “I've foughtwiththem a time or two, as well. Craig has a punch like an oak door.”
“I feel as if I should say something about the idiocy of the male of the species, but ye might take offense.”
His grin grew. “Ye'd likely be right. And now, lass...”
As they crested the hill, Barclay made a gesture with his free hand, as if presenting the landscape to her. And Grace, despite his teasing tone, sucked in a breath of wonder.
“Ohmy.”
She knew this was the loch which bordered her family's holding, south of here. She knew she should be worried and angry about being so close to home, so close to losing her freedom and her future.
But how could she focus on such fears whenthiswas presented to her?
This finger of the loch was ringed by evergreens, and the rocky shore cradled a small sandy beach. Mist shrouded the mountains, and made the little paradise feel secluded and private.
Suddenly excited, she placed her hands on Barclay's shoulders and pressed herself up a bit, as if she could get a better view. “It'sbeautiful. Is it deep enough to bathe?”
At another series of clicks, Mayo began down the slope.
“Aye, lass, and no' so frigid, either. I'll have a fire waiting for ye when ye're through.”
'Twas a thoughtful gesture, and Grace couldn't wait to be clean. When Mayo halted, she pushed herself off the animal's back too eagerly, and hit the ground with enough force on her abraded bare feet that she hissed.
“Grace!” He'd swung down from the saddle and was beside her before she had time to straighten. “Dinnae be so rash, lass. I'm here.”
And he was.
He scooped her up and carried her to the shore, where he knelt and gently lowered her to the sand. In the last two days, she'd become used to him carrying her, and while she once would've thought such a thing would be frustrating, embarrassing, and not a little humiliating...now Grace blushed.
Because this was as close as she'd ever feel to his arms being around her, and she loved it.
“There ye are,” he murmured. And before she knew what he was doing, he'd pushed the hem of her gown up far enough to untie her ruined stockings.
She barely had time to squeak—although she'd never know if 'twas an objection or just in surprise—before he'd tossed them into a pile and was reaching for the ties of her gown. “Let me help ye with this, aye? The bandage on yer hand will make it difficult.”
That was right. He was right.
Was that the only reason he was helping her undress?
Trying to be nonchalant, she did her best to help him. “And are ye going to carry me into the water too, or will ye admit I can manage that on my own?”
Mayhap he didnae realize she was teasing him, because—frowning, he looked from her feet to the water and back again. “'Tis sand all the way, so I suppose ye'll be right enough.”
