Page 62 of Wild Highland Rose
"Maybe, but I dinna like the way he was looking at you. I think 'tis possible that there's a seed o' doubt now, that wasna there before."
"Possibly."
"And then there's the wee matter o' Allen. He definitely dinna find your explanation humorous."
He thought again about the look of animosity Allen had leveled on him. "I know. It seems we're stuck between a rock and a hard place."
"A what?" Her eyes widened in confusion.
"It's just a phrase. It means that we're in a difficult situation. We've got to figure out how to get Torcall back to Tyndrum and Allen with him."
She nodded, chewing on her lip, a sure sign she was worried.
"Look, I know that won't solve all your problems, but at least it will buy some time for you and Fingal to figure out what to do."
She met his gaze. "Time is just exactly what I need. After the landslide I sent word to my grandfather, asking for reinforcements against Torcall's coming. But he's with the king and so didna receive my message. Given a little more time, he'll be home, and then I've no doubt he'll come to help me put Torcall Cameron in his place."
"So as long as we can get Torcall to go home, you'll be all right?"
She nodded, tears welling in her eyes.
"Then why are you crying?"
"You." She angrily brushed her tears on the linen of her sleeve.
'Me?"
"Dinna act daft, man. Of course I'm worried about you. You've got the here and now of Allen to deal with and then you've got to find…" She stuttered over the last words, tears filling her beautiful eyes. He resisted the urge to kiss them away. She took a deep breath, regaining her control. "You've got to find your way home. It may no' be as easy as you think. It may no' even be possible."
He hoped she was wrong, that Grania would be able to help him, but he had to admit there was truth in what she said. "I'll find my way. I have to believe that."
"So you can find yourself."
"Right." Somehow when she said it, it sounded trite, but knowing who he was was important. Somewhere out there he already had a life, and he couldn't just desert it because he'd landed somewhere else. Surely he owed himself better than that? He simply couldn't go on living the life of another man. He had to have answers and those answers lay in the twenty-first century.
"I understand." She rose wrapping her arms around herself.
"Look, Marjory, if it could be any other way…" He moved to stand behind her, resting his hands lightly on her shoulders.
She shook him off. "I said, I understand." She walked away from him, her slight form fading into the night. He watched until she disappeared and then sat back on the log, fighting the desire to go after her, to swear he'd never leave.
Shaking his head, he broke the spell. He had no choice in the matter. He had to remember who he was. Had to get back to his life, to the blonde. He'd had the dream for a reason. And he simply couldn't ignore the fact. No matter how much he might want to.
17
Marjory shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. They had been riding since dawn. The sun silvered walls of Crannag Mhór gleamed in the distance. Just an hour or so more and they would be home. She twisted around to look behind her.
Cameron and Fingal rode together, their heads bent close in conversation. It seemed odd, the older man with Ewen. But then it wasn't really Ewen. She felt an unreasonable stab of jealousy watching the two of them. There wasn't much time left and she wanted Cameron to spend it all with her.
As if sensing her eyes on him, he looked up and grinned. Her heart turned over and joy washed through her. With conscious effort, she forced herself to turn around. She was behaving like a ninny. She was the head of her clan and she had to act accordingly. People depended on her. She sighed, thinking how much easier it all would be with someone to love by her side—but that was impossible.
"We're almost home."
Marjory jumped at the words. Fingal had pulled forward, his mount riding along side hers. "What did you say?"
Her captain shot her a concerned look. "I said that we're almost home. Are ye sure yer feeling all right?"
"I'm fine, really. Just a little tired." She gave him a bright smile.
