gone awry. How she prayed he had no true inkling of what she’d done. Dyna swallowed and stared at Derric, wondering how he would react to Grandsire’s bold statement.
Handsome bastard. Being this close to Derric sent her heart aflutter. Traitorous heart. She hadn’t yet adjusted to his closeness, his scent inspiring her to remember exactly how it felt to have his lips and hands roaming all over her body.
“You could have denied him if my presence upsets you,” Derric said softly.
“Deny Grandsire?” she snorted. “That does not happen.” She stared at her hands in her lap under the table. “Derric, forgive me for being so forward. I probably shouldn’t have said what I did.”
“You did surprise me, but ’struth is I was humbled and flattered by your request. I think you know that there’s nothing I’d like better than to do as you asked, but…”
He had an expression on his face she’d never seen before. His usual arrogance was gone, replaced by a vulnerability that she found oddly appealing. “But?”
“But my sire taught me about honor and responsibility. While I haven’t seen him in many years, he did impress many things on me, thick as my head might be. At times, I wish I could forget his lessons, but they rear up when I least expect it. I believe in heaven, and my goal is to get there someday so I can see my parents again. So I can make them proud. Your cousins and your grandsire reminded me of my parents and their teachings. Which is why I cannot do as you asked. I’d also like to earn the respect of your clan someday. If I did that, I never would.”
“So you’ll forgive my crudeness?” She couldn’t hide her smirk.
He gave her a crooked smile and said, “Aye, even if you’ve made it even harder not to touch you. I would like to get along with you, Dyna.”
“I’d like that, too. I admit I watched you in the lists with Alasdair this morn. Your sword skills are improving, and I would be pleased to have you along to help me protect Grandsire.”
Because she wanted to protect Grandsire as much as he wanted to protect her.
“But your grandsire said you’d be taking guards.”
“Aye, a group of them will be accompanying us, but they do not have the sword skills you have. I need someone who can hold any attackers off while I get into the trees to get a better angle for my arrows.”
“Understood. I’ll be ready and by the gates.” Derric nodded and left, taking a hunk of bread with him.
Dyna breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t ready to lose him. Not yet.
An odd thought echoed in her mind, the way they sometimes did.
Not ever.
Chapter Eight
Derric was pleased they gave him a fine stallion to ride, not up to the same standards as Midnight, but a fine steed nonetheless. Before they left, he’d spent time stroking the beast and giving him the chance to get to know his rider.
He’d said goodbye to his sister, pleased he no longer had to worry about her. She hadn’t let him get away without a little taunt. “I hope you come back firmly attached to a tall, willowy blonde.”
He’d taunted back. “I hope I come back to find you with a big round belly. I’d love a niece or a nephew.” He’d kissed her cheek, then said, “Mayhap both.”
She’d slapped his arm playfully and said, “Go and Godspeed. Take care of my cousin.”
He’d listened to the guards conversing with Alasdair and Alex, taking in all the strategizing that probably took place before every journey the Grants ever took. Planned stops, expected complications, alternate routes—they’d discussed every possible complication. English garrisons, reivers, wild boars, who knew what was in the Highlands these days? They expected to arrive on Cameron land around nightfall, so they would only need to stop once to freshen the horses and take care of their own needs.
Dyna rode her beautiful horse, Misty, but Derric had to admit, he only had eyes for the rider. But they were traveling with Alex, which was a painful reminder that he had yet to complete the quest he’d been assigned, because he hadn’t uncovered one soft thing about the lass besides her skin, and he very much doubted that was what Alex Grant had in mind.
The trip was uneventful until they were about an hour from the safety of Cameron land and the horses began to fuss. Alex ordered the group to stop