soft, and the cot creaked again, the floor thumping as he stood.
She wrenched open the door, not wanting to be trapped as she certainly would be if she didn’t force herself over the threshold.
“Why are ye running?”
“My brother. His own man said he was going to reclaim what I stole. Just this morning I heard troops discussing a regiment of dragoons heading east. It is Hamish, I feel it in my bones.”
“Nay, lass, ye misunderstand me. Why are ye running from me?”
She hadn’t misunderstood though. “I canna let what happened between us cloud my judgment or stall me from my duties.”
“Do ye regret what happened between us?”
Such a direct question, she wasn’t certain how to handle it. She did turn then, thinking he at least deserved that much. Meeting his gaze, she said, “I regret nothing. But neither can I lay aside the vows I made to my people.”
“I’m not asking ye to.”
“Good. Then ye’ll understand and support my need to return to Inverness.”
Confusion flashed over his features, bewilderment he didn’t try to hide from her. “I did no’ bed ye last night for the fun of it, Jenny.”
That was what she was afraid of.
“That’s no’ to say I didna have a hell of a lot of fun,” he added.
“Dinna say any more, Fraser.”
Hurt twisted his features at her formal use of his name. She’d wounded him. And she’d have to live with that. One man’s pain versus the pain of hundreds if she didn’t get back to Inverness.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I wish it didna have to be this way. I wish we were no’ at war and that our prince was even now sitting upon the throne. But he is no’. And with our victory yesterday, we canna afford to hesitate, even for a minute. I canna allow my brother to torment my people.”
Toran frowned, but he didn’t disagree with her. She could practically read his thoughts, and she found it incredibly disturbing how well she now knew him—and how very much disappointing him hurt her heart.
He cleared his throat, and she had the feeling he was working to clear himself from her. “I will deliver your message to Dirk.”
“Thank ye, Toran.”
He stalked forward, and though her mind bid her to retreat, her feet did not move an inch. Toran reached her, filling her space. He clasped her face in his hands, his eyes locked on hers.
“I know ye want me to keep my mouth shut, to follow orders like a good soldier, but damn it, Jenny! I canna let ye leave without telling ye how I feel. I love ye, lass. And because of that, I’ll do as ye’ve asked. But know this—I’ll no’ be far behind because I can see in your eyes ye feel the same way.”
Jenny opened her mouth to protest, but no words would come out. Instead she wrapped her arms around his waist and tucked herself against him. At last her throat seemed to loosen enough for her to demand huskily, “Kiss me goodbye.”
“Only because I plan to kiss ye hello soon.” And then his lips were on hers, making her body sing. Making her want to drag him back to the cot and strip them both down to their skin.
He loved her. Loved her! And he was right… She loved him too, though she was too much of a coward in that moment to admit it. She felt as though if she let the words slip out, she wouldn’t leave this chamber—wouldn’t leave Dunipace. She’d follow him anywhere, and that would be the very worst thing to do right now.
Jenny pushed away, albeit gently. “My duty is to clan and country first above all else, Toran, and I thank ye for honoring that.”
He nodded, stroked her cheek, and then took a few steps backward, every inch that separated them a painful stab to her chest. She could barely look at him, fearing the tears that threatened.
“I will follow wherever ye lead, Jenny Mackintosh.”
Jenny turned and fled the room before the rest of her resolve evaporated.
Twenty-Four
“She went home?” Dirk looked astounded to hear that Jenny had left for Inverness without telling him.
“Aye. She had a sense that her brother was headed there to take back his holding since she has been otherwise engaged.”
“Damn.” Dirk looked toward the exit of the tent, and the shift in his stance showed his eagerness to follow, the same urgency that Toran also felt. “Why did she send ye here to deliver the message like ye were