Page 6 of Highlander's Captive Bride
“Let. Me. Up,” she told him emphatically.
“If I do, will ye promise nae to run away again?” he asked, looking into her eyes intently.
“Do I have a choice?” she shot back, resolving to acquiesce to her fate as his captive—for the time being, at least.
“All right, but behave,” he warned.
She did not deign to reply as he sat up slowly and finally allowed her to do the same. But he kept a tight hold on her wrists, transferring them both to one hand as he got to his knees and then rose to his feet, pulling her up with him.
“Ow, ye’re hurting me wrists,” she complained, trying to get him to let go. The crushing pressure on her bones lessened infinitesimally.
“Just dinnae try anything,” he warned. “Now, stay still, ye have pine needles in yer hair.”
Before she knew what he was doing, he began picking the needles out, one by one. Astonished, she found herself standing quietly, allowing him to do it, though part of her wondered what the hell she was playing at.
“That’s it. Now, come on. And no more tricks. We need to get back to Castle Murdoch without delay.”
“But why? What d’ye want with me?” she asked in frustration.
“Ye’ll find out soon enough. Now, come on.”
Bellamy led her back to the campsite, where his men had already bedded down for the night except for a guard left on watch. He let her wrists go but kept her near as they approached his horse. He snagged his bedroll and two blankets from the saddlebags, led her over to a spot near the fire, and threw the bedding on the ground.
“Lie down there,” he ordered, pointing at the blankets.
Daisy obeyed, seeing no point in arguing. She felt utterly spent. But then, he lay down on the bedroll, right next to her.
“Ye cannae expect me to sleep next to ye!” she exclaimed, sitting up at once.
He pulled her back down. “That’s exactly what I expect,” he replied.
Huffing with indignation, she pulled one side of the blanket up to her neck and rolled to her side, turning her back to him in disgust. But then, as if to add insult to injury, he slung his arm over her waist, pinning her in place against his chest.
Shocked, Daisy gasped and stiffened, trying to pull away from him. He merely flexed his arm, and she was right back where he wanted her.
“Stay still.”
Mortified, Daisy lay awake for some time, listening to the sounds of him breathing next to her. They were so close that she could actually feel the steady beating of his heart against her back. He tightened his arm and grunted in satisfaction as if he was sure she would not escape.
Finally, his breathing slowed, and she realized he was asleep. Briefly, she entertained the idea of running again. However, as if he could read her thoughts even in his sleep, his arm tightened around her.
With a heavy sigh of defeat, she gave in to her weariness and soon succumbed to sleep as well.
* * *
Bellamy awoke just as dawn was breaking, illuminating the sky above with a riot of colors. The healer lay warm against him, still in his arms. Slowly, not wishing to wake her, he leaned up on his elbow and watched her face in repose.
The dawn lit her features, allowing his gaze to rove unchecked over their perfect symmetry. A silky tress had come loose and fallen over her forehead. His hand moved automatically with an unfamiliar gentleness to brush it aside, the better to look at her.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she stared up at him, confusion in her gaze. Then, a small line appeared between her brows as she realized where she was. Immediately, she pulled away from him and sat up, rubbing her face, and pushing her long hair aside.
This time, when she went to relieve herself, he went with her, turning his back as she crouched behind the same tree as before. She came out blushing, but her demeanor was as dignified as a duchess’s as she accompanied him back to the camp.
His admiration for her increasing with every moment, Bellamy tried to put his somewhat steamy thoughts of her aside. He was careful not to look at her as they briefly broke their fast and prepared to move on before the heat of what promised to be another fine day began in earnest.
“Let’s get going, lads. Time’s a-wastin’,” he commanded, swinging himself into the saddle and pulling the healer up behind him.
He put Elodie at the forefront of his mind as they set off again towards home. He was not a religious man, but he silently prayed his daughter’s condition had not worsened in his absence.
