Page 16 of Pretty in Plaid
“I’ll consider it should I freeze.” She rubbed her hands together, the tips of her fingers tingled with feeling coming back in them now that they were somewhat safeguarded from the elements.
“I’ll save ye some.”
They sat at the chairs, but Kenna didn’t remain long. After sitting on the horse all night, she wanted to stand and found the chair's hard wood too much.
“Good idea.” Sorley followed suit, and they ate in silence. When he passed her the flask of whisky, she did take a small sip, shuddering at the burn as it made its way down her throat. She found it soothing, though, given the chill of winter was seeping into her bones.
On the horse, she’d been able to leech some of the heat from the animal, but now that they were inside, though they had the barrier of the walls, she had started to shiver from the cold.
“Best get yourself beneath the blankets,” Sorley suggested. “It willna get any warmer, and we canna light a fire and risk alerting the dragoons looking for us as to where we are.”
“I understand.” Kenna hurried to the closest cot and sank onto the surface, all the exhaustion she’d managed to set aside finally sinking in. She tugged the blanket over her but still shivered.
Sorley brought her a second blanket, placing it over her.
“Thank ye, but do ye no’ need it?”
“There is plenty. Shall I get ye a third?”
Kenna nodded. But an hour later, even with all the extra blankets on her, she was still unable to sleep and felt like crying as she was so very tired.
“Lass,” Sorley said quietly.
“Aye?” Kenna managed to spit out between her teeth chattering.
“Ye’re freezing.”
“Aye.”
“If ye do no’ mind, I will lay with ye. Keep ye warm.”
Kenna’s first instinct was to deny him, but it felt as if she were encased in ice, and without a fire, she wasn’t going to get warmer.
“Aye. Pl-please.”
There was a rustle as he climbed from the cot behind her, and then he was there, lifting her blanket for the briefest of moments before the heat of his body engulfed the length of her back. He wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked her legs between his. The cocoon of warmth she suddenly found herself in was glorious. Kenna closed her eyes, breathing out a sigh of relief.
“Thank ye,” she whispered.
“Ye’re welcome. Canna have ye freeze to death afore we arrive. If the dragoons are no’ going to get ye, canna let a little cold.”
She laughed softly.
Kenna slept soundly then, waking hours later feeling marginally refreshed, and still very comfortable. She rolled over in her after-sleep daze and came face to face with Sorley. His gray eyes were as warm as his body as he smiled at her.
“Good eve,” he said. “Did ye sleep well?”
Kenna nodded, stretching a little. “Verra.”
“Me too.”
“I thank ye again for making it possible. I confess I might no’ have made it if ye’d remained on your cot.”
“I couldna bear to see ye suffer. Besides, your teeth were chattering so much I couldna sleep. Sounded like the jangle of the redcoats’ ever-ready shackles.”
Kenna laughed.
“Ye have a beautiful laugh.” Sorley’s face had turned serious. “’Tis quite enchanting. I’ve never heard anything the like.”
