Forbidden Heart (Hearts of the Highlands #6) - Paula Quinn Page 0,15
Where did you learn to mend wounds? On the battlefield?”
Reaching them, Will grinned at her with pity in his eyes. “We dinna mend anyone on the battlefield, Sis—”
The captain shot out his hand and Will disappeared from her vision. She covered her chuckle behind her fingers.
“Aye, ’tis how I learned it.” The captain took the plaid and squinted his eyes on her. “Did ye not have a cloak?”
She blinked. She did have one. “It must have fallen off somewhere. ’Tis fine. I do not need it.”
“I can go back and get it,” Morgann offered, reaching them and hearing what they said. “I will be quick,” he promised when his captain nodded.
“Go with him,” Captain Galeren told Padrig. The giant left without a word.
“Morgann has been very kind to me,” Silene told him. “You all have. I intend to tell my uncle how kind and respectful, and protective you all have been to me. I will also pray for all of you every day.”
The three who were left smiled at her. The captain’s smile lingered a moment longer than the rest—and they were already staring at him as if they could see right through him.
When the moment was over, he glared at them until they looked away.
“Are ye ready to go then?” the captain asked her, his smile returning yet again.
“Aye. I would like to try to ride my own horse,” she let him know.
His smile faltered, compelling her to retract her words. “Of course. My horse canna carry both of us fer much longer.”
“She can ride with me,” Will offered.
The captain laughed as if the offer were too preposterous to even consider. “Come.” He led her to her mount and untied some of the bags from the saddle. Now that her weight would be added to her horse, all the beasts would share the weight of these extra bags. None were too heavy as they had little food left.
He held his arms out to her and she stepped into them, more comfortable than she had a right to be, or had ever been with anyone else. When he lifted her up, she gazed down at the stray locks of gold strewn across his clear, beautiful eyes. Her heart began to race.
She reached for her saddle and practically leaped onto it.
He was temptation in the flesh. She prayed and fit her boots into the stirrups. She gave the reins a gentle flick and the horse began to trot away.
The captain stayed by her side, telling her what to do when they made a turn, or when they went over rocks or shallow water. She was doing well and taking command over her mount—but not much else. She found herself smiling or giggling often, not just because of him, but because of his men. They argued often, with Will usually at the core. They tried not to strike each other or swear. Their eyes darted guiltily to her often and made her want to laugh. Their banter didn’t bother her. In fact, she found it entertaining. With their brawn, and their swords, and all their leather trappings, they were fierce. Of that, she was certain. But not to her.
They stopped for the next prayer and to eat afterward.
Morgann and Padrig had caught up soon after they had separated. Morgann returned her cloak to her and smiled when she thanked him, making the other four gape at him.
She denied knowing how she was able to get Morgann to smile when the captain asked her later.
She’d said her midday prayer and was attempting to get into her saddle again.
The captain let her do it on her own but did not stop Will from helping her into her stirrup.
“Your aid is greatly appreciated, Mr.—goodness I do not even know what to call you.” She smiled at him.
“Will, Sister.”
She nodded and heaved herself up. She made it over the saddle, landing hard on her belly. “Well,” she said, a bit winded, “that was not so terrible.”
“Aye, if ye want to ride around like a sack of grain,” Will said with laughter in his voice.
He closed his fingers around her ankle and tossed her leg over the saddle until she straddled the beast.
When she was upright, she gasped a little at the horse’s girth, but managed to keep her smile intact.
“Since ye are wearin hose—ridin’ should be easier this way.”
“You would expect.”
He tossed his head back and laughed. “Poor lass. ’Tis not so easy to ride, but ye will do fine.”