Something like cinnamon. He took his time perusing her face, but there did not appear to be any sort of recognition on his part.
No doubt being soaked, and her face streaked with mud, was quite the disguise. She’d probably not recognize herself if she happened to peer into a looking glass.
“We’ve no’ been formally introduced no,” Giselle mused. “But as I said, we have met before.”
6
Alec stared at the sopping wet, mud-covered, bedraggled lass where he’d placed her on the floor against the wall. Her cloak had fallen away from her head, revealing drenched hair, and in the light, he couldn’t decipher the color. Her cheeks were pale, her teeth chattered a little, and he realized the flimsy cloak she wore did little to keep her warm, not when the rest of her was drenched.
He also recalled all too well what the rush of nearly dying did to a body, sending chills to wrack the limbs. If only he had some whisky that he could give her. Alas, he’d not left his castle thinking he’d be on a rescue mission.
Alec removed his jacket and held it out to her. “Take off that wet cloak and put on my jacket.”
“But ye’ll be cold.”
Alec scoffed. He’d been colder before, in battle when temperatures dipped below freezing or sitting for hours exposed to the elements. “No’ as cold as ye, lass.”
She unfastened the hooks near her throat and wriggled free of the cloak, dropping the sodden cloth in a mound beside her. Then, she accepted his jacket with a grateful look and slipped it around her slim shoulders. The woman was tiny; he’d felt it when he held her in his arms. At least a foot shorter than himself, he’d guess.
Alec picked up her drenched cloak and wrung it out as best he could before spreading it out on the ground, well away from the rain, to dry.
“What are ye doing out here?” she asked. “I told ye my reason, but ye never did give me yours. My guess is ye do no’ lie in wait in the abbey ruins for damsels falling off their horses.”
Alec turned around to face her, finding it difficult not to smile at her teasing. She’d tucked her knees up around her chest, and his jacket was wrapped around her legs.
“Ye should elevate your ankle the way I had it,” he said. “It helps alleviate the swelling.”
She didn’t argue but put her foot back on the stone where he’d placed it before, revealing the now-brown stocking of her shapely calf. The lass tried to adjust her skirts to cover what she exposed, but the fabric of her skirt was not cooperating. Finally, she gave up and leaned her head back against the wall, eyes closed as if she were gathering strength. Alec racked his brain for a way to impart comfort, but then her eyes popped open, and she flashed him a saucy smile.
“Any other orders, my lord?” The level of sarcasm in her tone was unnerving.
Alec cleared his throat, deciding to ignore her bait. “Ye mentioned we’d met before. Where?”
The chit bit her lip, nodded and looked away. Definitive signs of withholding information and a reluctance to share. The glee she’d expressed a moment ago evaporated. He was starting to get whiplash from her emotions. Teasing and bold one minute, then closed off and tentative the next. Was it deliberate? He had to guess, given his experience with females, that it was. After all, his mother was classic for changing her moods to fit the environment or get something she wanted—or get rid of something she didn’t want.
Well, Alec wasn’t going to play any more games. He didn’t have the patience for it. He wanted to know exactly who she was and how deep into the rabbit hole he’d be, knowing she’d been engaged to Joshua Keith, that bastard. Was Keith going to storm Slains in the dead of night? Oh, aye, please do...Alec would relish the moment he had good cause to hold his blade to the man’s throat.
“Are ye going to tell me, lass, or am I going to turn to dust waiting?”
She pressed her hands around her ankle. “Since it’s only sprained and no’ broken, as soon as the rain clears, I’ll be on my way. Ye’ll no’ have to deal with me anymore.”
That was a quick and unexpected amendment. Also, she was changing the subject. Alec narrowed his gaze.
“No’ so fast, lass. Tell me who ye are.” Coming within only two feet of