Page 22 of Abducted By the Highlander
She stared at him as though he’d lost his mind. “I don’t know who ye made this vow to, Hugh Campbell, but if ye meant a word of it, ye would’ve taken me to my sister’s instead of dragging me here, and well ye know it.”
“’Tis not that simple.” He thought she understood that from the last time they’d spoken of this, but how could he expect her to understand when he couldn’t tell her the truth? He released a frustrated sigh and wished he could take her hands and reassure her all would be well. But although they were currently being ignored, he was certain if he crossed that boundary with Roisin, the entire clan would notice. “And I make the vow to ye, Roisin.”
Her name slipped out, unguarded, but she didn’t reprimand him for the lack of respect. By the way she was glaring at him, he suspected she hadn’t even noticed.
“I don’t need yer vow to look after me. Why would I?” She glaredat her plate and pressed her lips together. It was obvious she was torn between rejecting the food he’d given her and putting her pride aside so her maid and dog, at least, wouldn’t go hungry.
After a fraught silence, she gripped the plate and stood and he watched her walk back to her place on the far side of the fire pit, where she shared the food between Grear and her dog. The light was fading, and he narrowed his eyes, trying to see if she’d kept any for herself. Surely she had. She wasn’t that stubborn, was she?
On Eigg, he hadn’t considered she possessed a stubborn bone in her body.
With a disgruntled snort he returned to his original spot opposite Symon and finished the last gulp of his ale. Christ, what wouldn’t he do for a good flagon of wine. He could scarcely recall the last time he’d drunk anything but bad ale.
“Careful, Sergeant.” Symon regarded him over his own tankard of ale. “A man might think ye’re sweet on her.”
He flung the other man an irritated glance. “We’re not barbarians, Symon.” At least, Campbells weren’t. And truth be told, neither were MacGregors, even if the earl had declared them Clan Campbell’s sworn enemies. “The lady isn’t our prisoner and shouldn’t be treated as such.”
Symon shrugged. “I’m not disagreeing. But ye look at her as though ye cannot bear to see her suffer. Does she remind ye of the bonny lass waiting for ye back home?”
Would his moment of madness when he’d confided in Symon forever come back to haunt him?
He decided to ignore the other man’s remark. “I’ll have a word with Elspeth on the morrow.”
Symon grunted. Hugh couldn’t fathom whether it was a grunt of warning or disbelief. He acknowledged it could likely be both. Elspeth was a formidable woman in her own right, without having the added benefit of being Darragh’s sister. But if he wanted Roisin to be treatedfairly, then he needed to speak to the older woman.
“I wouldn’t advise it.” Symon swallowed the last of his ale. “Elspeth doesn’t take kindly to interference.”
“I can be tactful.” God knew, he learned that art years ago, when he’d mitigated disruptions caused by his brother’s drunken ways.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn ye.”
He knew he was glowering but couldn’t seem to stop himself as he chanced another glance Roisin’s way. At least she appeared to be eating, which was a relief. It was only when Symon kicked his boot and he dragged his besotted gaze from her that he realized several of the women, and one or two of their menfolk, were casting interested glances between him and Roisin.
Goddamn it.So much for not drawing any unwanted attention.
When a couple of the women stood and began gathering the plates he had to forcibly stop himself from leaping to his feet when Roisin and her maid joined them. He hadn’t expected her to do that, especially considering how they’d disrespected her when it came to sharing the food. On the other hand, he had to admit that her gracious response was more diplomatic than his own feral reaction.
One of the women took his and Symon’s plates and the knowing grin she leveled his way told him everything he needed to know.
He had failed to keep his interest in Roisin to himself. He could only hope no one guessed the true situation between them.
With difficulty, he relaxed his fists and took a deep breath. He had to mask his feelings. He’d spent the last year concealing his true thoughts. Why was it so hard when it concerned Roisin?
“Where are ye planning on sleeping tonight?”
Symon’s question pulled him back to the present and he cast the other man a dark glare. He hadn’t thought that far ahead but there was only one answer. “Outside my tent.”
“Oh, aye.” There was a mocking note in Symon’s voice. “To protect the lady from roaming wolves, no doubt.”
It wasn’t wolves he’d been thinking of, but he wasn’t about to contradict the other man. “That’s right.”
“I doubt she’ll appreciate yer concern for her well-being.”
He doubted it too, but he wasn’t doing it to gain her favor. “I brought her here. I’m responsible for her.”
“Maybe ye should ransom her. Her family will likely be grateful ye saved her from ruin.”
No doubt Lady Helga and Roisin’s sisters would be relieved he’d crossed her path before the bandits had dragged her to God knew where. But it reminded him of the possibility the attack hadn’t been random. Who the hell would have targeted Lady Roisin?
