what they know." She hurried over to him, clutching at him. "If they know you've guessed, they will not keep it from you."
Jamie shook his head. "They've already revealed more than is wise," he said, catching one of her hands and bringing it to his lips. "Highland as you are, you ought to know it isn't wise to poke and prod into what's revealed to those with second sight. They've given me a warning and I'm accepting it gladly."
Aveline frowned. "But - "
"It is enough. And more help than many receive."
He turned her hand and dropped a kiss into her palm, folding her fingers over it.
"You keep that kiss to yourself and let it soothe you when you worry," he said, smiling at her. "And keep whate'er we discuss between us."
Her eyes flew wide. "You fear treachery?"
Jamie put his hands on her shoulders. "After seeing the sky darken with English cloth-yards at Neville's Cross, there is not much left to fear," he said, meaning it.
"Least of all anyone cowardly enough to drape themselves in a wet plaid and try to frighten an old man."
But I do fear what such a miscreant might do to you.
Leaving that concern unspoken, he went to stand before the hearth, trying hard not think about what burned so merrily on its grate.
"I do not doubt what you've told me, lass." He raked a hand through his hair and hoped she'd believe him. "I am sure you did see Neill and Kendrick at the cairns, dancing with Hughie Mac. And down at the Garbh Uisge, too. Even so - "
"I did see them. I swear it," she insisted. "And they had to have been bogles. They vanished right before my eyes. Even as I was staring right at them."
She came to him then and he gathered her close. "Leastways that was the way of it in the churchyard. At the cataracts, they just sort of drifted off into the trees."
"Ah, well." Jamie stroked her hair. "'Tis not my brothers' spirits that concern me.
'Tis the bastard masquerading as a ghost that's plaguing me."
She looked doubtful. "You truly think someone is?"
Jamie cocked a brow at her. "Can you truly think someone isn't? After what we found in the chapel and then discovered upon returning here?"
And to his relief, she shook her head.
"But what do you mean to do about it?"
Jamie grinned. "What I do best when the need arises," he said, flipping back his plaid to reveal the many-notched haft of his Norseman's ax and the leatherwrapped hilt of his sword. "Assure the safety of those I care about."
"And what about those I care about?" she returned, touching his cheek. "Those I know your father cares about. You are the one who received Lady Linnet's warning."
Jamie captured her hand, kissing her fingertips. "Och, I shall be careful, ne'er you worry."
He smiled again, pleased with the precautions he'd arranged.
"Even as we speak, Beardie and another cousin should be taking up position outside this chamber's door. And" - he winked - "Beardie wields an even deadlier Viking ax than I do. If you haven't yet noticed, he's rather proud of his Norse granddaddies. And he doesn't take kindly to anyone even glancing cross-eyed at a woman."
She peered up at him through her gold-tipped lashes, looking more confused than reassured. "You've set two guardsmen to protect me? Just like the two you ordered to see to your da?"
Jamie grinned again. "I've set two trusted men to guard the door. I shall protect you."
"Oh!" Her gaze flew to the large, fur-covered bed. "So you will be sleeping here?"
Jamie followed her gaze and immediately began to harden. The very reason he would not spend the night in the same room with her. Especially not in his brother's sumptuous love nest of a bed. Not just yet, anyway.
Clearing his throat he stepped to the side of the hearth, glad for a means to distract himself before the tightening at his loins overrode his good sense.
"I shall sleep in my da's chamber, as he wished," he told her, whipping aside a heavy tapestry to reveal an oaken door. "This room was once my mother's, see you. That is the true reason for its opulence. And you will be safe here, I promise."
She blinked, her jaw slipping when he opened the door to reveal a small anteroom. And, clearly visible on the other side of the wee chamber, a second closed door.
"The bedchambers are connected," he said, taking a wall torch from its bracket and ducking