Page 76 of The Splendor of Fire
He grasped her hand, not wanting to break the intimacy of the moment. He loved her and only her. “Please.”
She shook her head and pointed toward the shore, a brittle grin on her face. She signed and mouthed the words.Time to go.
Chapter 22
DUNVEGAN CASTLE - JULY 30, 1385
Thick heat lingered in the night air as Léo and Moira made their way from the shore of Loch Dunvegan. Although their morning meals together had grown more amicable, and he’d learned many signs, there was so much she couldn’t say, and so much he couldn’t intuit.
Peeking over her shoulder, Moira admired the torch light falling over his tanned skin and solid jaw. His eye moved to the side and winked at her. Why did he have to be so handsome? And why did he have to break her heart?
For the thousandth time that day she called to mind the facts. He’d pulled her in and rebuffed her time and time again. He’d used her to bring a missive across the Hebrides. Now he wanted to clip her wings and keep her from her role in the Shield.
Except, the pond…helping her to swim…launching her through the air…their laughter together…his numerous apologies and requests for forgiveness. Her heart softened.
Ardis.The one fact that was the most unyielding. He’d been untrue and continued to be untrue. And he had the audacity to accuse her of being a loose woman. Hector was wrong.
Chains re-formed around her heart and she climbed the hill, herthighs burning, her spine straightening. There was a mission. She had a job to do, not a man to win.
As they passed under the barmkin wall a voice called to her. “Birdy!”
Joy carried her and she sprinted toward David MacKenzie and leapt into his open arms. It had been more than a year since she’d seen her friend.
“How are you, lass? Och, you look just as bonny as I remember.”
The boulders of his arms gave her a shake and he hoisted her onto his shoulder. “Look at mah popinjay.” Bringing her lips together she whistled the call of the chiffchaff.
“That’s not what a popinjay sounds like,” Léo said walking through the barmkin gate, a slight frown upon his face.
Five men hooted and hollered at once, running toward him.
Iain clamped his arm around his shoulder. “Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence.”
Angus grasped hands with him and pulled him into a brother’s embrace. “It finally dawned on you after a month out of Cràdh you’re second-in-command?”
Calum clapped him on the back. “Nay, Birdy blew her cover and he only just found out all the fun we’ve been having without him.”
Murdoch grasped his hand and clapped his shoulder. “I’ve been praying for you.”
David put her on her feet and put a hand out to him. “Good tae see you, friend.” Léo looked at his hand and took it, a tight smile on his face.
From the door of the keep, a mighty yell rent the air. “MacKinnon!”
Léo stepped to the side, drew his arms back and yelled in response, “MacLean!”
The two battle-hardened brothers marched forward and clamped their arms over one another.
“I thought you were dead.”
“Not dead. A little bruised but not dead.”
Hector let Léo go, and to her surprise, brushed tears away. “I wanted to come for you but there was never a good opening. We waited months but they never let up. If it hadn’t been for Birdy persuading Niall, doing everything she could think of, you might still be there.”
“I thought it was Gordon…” Léo’s voice trailed off and he looked at her, the two wrinkles above his eyebrow deepening.
Hector signed and spoke her vindication. “If she hadn’t been allowing him to make her into something she isn’t, she wouldnae have gained his trust. She kept a strict vigil for the opening, and she found it. Refused to leave Dun Ringill and abandon her mission even though Niall’s become threatening.” A tender look came over Léo’s face and he took a step forward.
Embarrassed to be the sole object of praise for a team effort, she waved him off.Any one of you would have done it. Enough of that.
