Page 6 of Kilty Plea
“Ah, a dissenter in the ranks.” He made that noise again, the raspy sort of chuckle. Then his hands rose to the brooch at which she’d been staring, and he unclasped it. “Here.”
Before she could understand his intentions, the man had swung his fur-lined cloak from his shoulders and settled it around hers.
The thing weighed as much as she did, and Flora’s protesting knees threatened to give under the burden. But…
But it still carried his heat.
It smelled of him, and ‘twaswarm. Warmer than she’d been since she’d come to this place of constant fear and chill and worry.
His large hands settled beneath her chin, so she had to tip her head back to stare up at him. It took a moment to realize he was re-fastening the brooch.
He wasgivingher the cloak?
“Oh,”she breathed.
“There.” His hands settled on her shoulders. “Now ye’ll no’ be cold, lass.”
“Flora,” she corrected in a whisper, then shook her head, determined not to be wooed by the first hint of kindness in months. “Will ye no’ be cold, Sir Hunter?”
One of his shoulders hitched, a little shrug. “’Tis no’ so far to MacIntyre land. I’ll no’ freeze between here and there.”
Her breath had frozen.MacIntyre Land.
‘Tis where Lenny was.
Praying her heart wouldn’t pound from her chest, she forced a deep breath and tried for nonchalance when she said, “Ye’re headed to MacIntyre land, then?
“Aye, lass.Flora. I’m headed home for the Hogmanay celebrations—‘tis why the King had me stop here to handle yer wee problem.”
Six bandits were awee problem?
Flora was shaking again, but this time not in cold. “Ye’re a MacIntyre, then?” she whispered.
“Payton MacIntyre, at yer service.” He stepped back and gave a respectful nod. “I’m the laird’s third son, and the whole family can be overwhelming at times, if ye ken my meaning.”
Nay. Nay, she didn’t. It had only ever been her father, Lenny, and herself, alone in the crofter’s hut.
But…shut the front door! He was a MacIntyre! He was going to the MacIntyre holding.
Thank the good Lord, her prayers were finally answered!
“Ye—ye’re leaving soon?” ‘Twouldnae do to sound too eager, but ‘twas hard to contain her excitement.
He cocked his head to one side, and for the first time she realized shemissedthe way his hands had rested upon her shoulders. Not just their warmth or comforting size, but…
She’d felt safe for the first time in a long while.
“’Tis too late to leave now the sun has set, lass. I’ll leave early in the morning and will be home in a few days.”
“I…” She was leaving this place. She was leaving! “I cannae wait,” she said simply.
“For me to be gone?” There was amusement in his voice.
“To say good riddance to the Abbey.”
Suddenly, it felt as if her chest were lighter than possible. Her smile burst free, nearly shocking her with its intensity.
Behind the helmet, she heard him suck in a breath, but she couldn’t stop to wonder why. Impulsively, she reached for the man’s hand once more, taking it in both of hers.
