Page 87 of Highland Hero
“Time will tell,” he said instead.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“We should have left yesterday,” Rory grumbled as they saddled the horses the next morning to leave for Blair Castle.
“And have your wound open and start bleeding again?”
“I’d have been fine.”
“Why are you men so obstinate?” She shook her head. “I told you I never wanted to have to put a searing iron to anyone’s flesh again.”
“But we’ve wasted time. Neal may be following us.”
She frowned. “Highly unlikely. He had a gut wound that needed stitching. One that I put there, I might add.”
He growled at that, even as he helped her mount. “I should have been the one to slash him. Ye shouldna have to defend yourself.”
She was rather proud of the fact that she had, although she managed not to retortandrefrained from rolling her eyes as Misty followed Baron along the rutted road. Arguing between them was never going to change.
But one thing definitely had. She had told him her terrible secret. Once unburdened, she felt like a bird must when let out of its cage. She thought she might fly herself, if only she lifted her arms and tried. She certainly felt light as a feather.
Juliana glanced at Rory. Riding slightly behind him had its advantages, since she could study him without being obvious. His reaction to what had happened to her had surprised her. He didn’t think her ruined, as an English nobleman would. He didn’t even seem to take into account that she had lost her virtue. Instead, he’d promised to avenge her, had been willing tokillfor her. Although Juliana had always scoffed at the tales of gallant knights, she couldn’t deny that his vowing to protect and defend her felt good. Something one of those medieval heroes would do. But then, Rory had been acting the hero since he’d first rescued her from Neal Cameron.
Rory glanced back. “Ye have been awfully quiet.”
“Just thinking.”
He reined Baron in so Misty could come alongside. “About what?”
She certainly couldn’t tell him she’d been comparing him to one of King Arthur’s knights. He’d probably laugh and then tuck the information away to gloat about in future arguments. And she definitely did not want him thinking she’d gone soft in the head like some silly ninnyhammer. “Nothing, really.”
He gave her a long look. “Ye are nae thinking about what ye told me?”
She shook her head. “That is in the past. I will not waste more time on it.”
That, she realized, was surprisingly true. The pain—theguiltthat she hadn’t fought back, theangerthat she hadn’t dared—was fading. Though not gone, once all the horrid details had come tumbling out, it was almost like an ebbing tide had taken most of the debris with it.
“Ye are sure? We can stop and rest if ye have more to say.”
“No. Everything I needed to say has been said.” Maybe Rory had worked some magic with the faeries, because she really did feel things could get better. “Well, except maybe—”
“What?”
She smiled at him. “Maybe to thank you. I do not remember thanking you for being so kind.”
“Humph.” His cheeks turned ruddy. “We’d best move on, then.”
She allowed herself a wider grin once Misty lagged behind him again. So he had difficulty accepting compliments. That might be a useful tool to have inherarsenal—for future arguments. It might end one quite quickly in her favor.
But she’d meant it. He had been kind. He’d comforted her, let her drench his shirt, and had held her for a long, long time. Nothing more. Just that. Even when they’d gone to bed last night, sharing the cot again, he’d cradled her head on his shoulder, but he’d been careful to keep his hands away from her breasts. Kind. Gallant. Protective. Her hero.
…
They approached Blair Castle well after sunset. Rory considered continuing past the castle itself and going to the inn in Blair Atholl but rejected the idea. With the blizzard just a couple of days ago, any coaches planning to go through the pass would no doubt wait until an outrider could ascertain if the pass was open. They’d be lucky if the inn had a room available, let alone two.
“Are you sure we will be made welcome?” Juliana asked. “I remember Ian saying the new duke was not able to attend your un-proscription celebration because his father had recently drowned himself. Will they not be in mourning?”
“Aye, but they’ve also just had a wedding,” Rory replied. “There is a new duchess in the keep, so I suspect she will be glad to have guests for a day or two.”
