Page 50 of Healing the Highland Sinner
“I ken ye can,” he said firmly.
A wan smile touched her lips as she laid her head against his chest. She was grateful for his strength and for his belief in her since she certainly didn’t believe in herself. Rosalind closed her eyes and tried to block it all out, to shut down her emotions and get her mind back to its logical self once more. She felt weary. Exhausted. Physically and emotionally spent.
And she slipped further into the darkness…
CHAPTER 22
Ellair knocked softly on Rosalind’s door and waited, not knowing if she was still asleep or not. She had practically passed out at the warehouse and he had carried her back to the compound and put her to bed. And she had slept the rest of the day away. He thought he’d heard her stirring, but wasn’t sure.
“Come,” she called.
Her voice was still weary and when he opened the door, she was still lying in bed. Her face was paler than normal and dark shadows ringed her eyes. She looked entirely wrung out. Ellair stepped in and closed the door behind him quietly. A pair of oil lanterns filled the room with a dim light and the air was thick with the not unpleasant scent of the incense that burned.
“Come,” she said again and patted the edge of her bed.
Ellair walked over and perched on the edge, turning so he could see her as she lay propped up against the pillows.
“I just wanted tae check on ye,” he said softly. “Wanted tae make sure ye were all right.”
She gnawed on her bottom lip. “I’m better than I was when ye found me.”
“But nae great.”
A wan smile touched her lips. “Nae great.”
They sat together quietly for a moment, the weight of unspoken feelings hanging as heavy in the air as the scent of her incense. She finally raised her gaze, managing to pierce him to his very core.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I was a bit of a wreck out there taeday.”
“Ye’ve got naethin’ tae apologize fer.”
“’Tis nae me normal way—fallin’ apart like that.”
“Ye’ve got a lot on yer plate, what with… well… everythin’ goin’ on,” he said. “I’d be more worried about ye if ye dinnae fall tae pieces now and then. Shows ye’re human.”
She laughed softly. “If fallin’ apart makes ye human, I’m more human than most.”
“But unlike most, ye ken how tae pull yerself taegether when ye need tae. ‘Tis why ye’re a strong leader. Why yer men follow ye without question.”
“I dinnae ken about that.”
“I dae,” he replied.
“And how have ye come about such wisdom then, eh?”
He flashed her a grin. “I was blessed with a natural wisdom well beyond me years.”
Rosalind laughed, the sound like crystals chiming in a gentle breeze. It was a sound that filled Ellair’s heart with joy. A sound he would give anything to hear more often.
“May I get ye anythin’?” he asked.
“Nay, I’m fine,” she said, then hesitated.
It seemed as if she had more to say, so Ellair cocked his head and waited for her to finish. She looked at him though, biting on her bottom lip, her face painted with uncertainty and doubt. He reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“What is it?” he asked softly.
“I just… would ye stay with me? Fer a little while longer?”
