The Scot's Quest - Keira Montclair Page 0,35
through it. You leaned against me and didn’t wake up until I carried you up the stairs to put you on the bed. Your mother took over then.”
“When are you leaving?” She rubbed her hands together in front of the hearth.
“Probably on the morrow, or I may wait one more day. I have a favor to ask.”
“Go ahead. If I can help, I will.”
“I’m heading north to join Robert the Bruce’s camp. I would like you to come with me. I think you’d be a big help to our cause, especially since we don’t have many archers and the ones we have don’t possess your skill.”
She nodded slowly. “As soon as I’m well enough, I’d like to go on this mission with you.” She glanced over at him then, rubbing her hands together. “I know something’s coming—a battle—but I don’t know where. I only know it won’t happen here.” Her gaze turned more intense, scrutinizing him. “I also know there’s something you’re not telling me.”
“Aye.” Damn if the lass wasn’t too perceptive by half.
Unable to look her in the eyes, he stared at his own hands, flexing his knuckles. “Robert told me one of the camp followers I spent time with last year has a bairn. He wondered if the wee lass might be mine.”
Dyna said nothing but arched a questioning brow at him.
“’Struth is I don’t know. I did my best…” He cleared his throat, wondering how much detail to give an innocent like Dyna. “I tried not to father any bairns. But I intend to search her out to learn the truth of it. Robert told me Senga was in the north. I would like to meet up with her to see if ’tis possible I have fathered a bairn.”
“And you’re telling me all this why?” she asked, her voice hard. Not that he was surprised.
He stood and paced in front of the hearth. “I didn’t wish to surprise you.”
“And if you do have a daughter?” she asked, not looking at him.
“Then I’ll offer her mother marriage. My sire taught me to be responsible.” And because he wanted her to come with him, he added, “I invited you along because we could really use your fighting skills.”
Dyna rubbed her hands together again and said, “Derric, you’ve already made it clear you’re not interested in me. Consider what’s happened between us as curiosity on my part. There’ll be no more of it. You may pursue whomever you like. Let me know exactly when you plan to leave to join the Bruce, but I need to go back to bed.”
He sat down and said, “Dyna, you’re wrong. How can you even think that after everything we’ve shared? I wish to clarify something. I am interested in you. Verra interested. Aye, I’ve had quick, meaningless relationships with women, but I’ve never been involved in something more serious. I’m not even sure how to go about this. Should I ask your father if I can pursue a relationship with you?”
“Why? You’ve already said you’re not interested in marrying me.”
“There is something between us. You cannot deny it any more than I can. At first, it was an experimentation or a tease, but you know it has become more than that. I wasn’t ready to pledge to marry you when we first discussed it, but aye, I do want us to consider the possibility. Is it so wrong that I wish to take our time and get to know each other better before we become betrothed?”
“Many people are just told who they’ll marry. There’s no chance for consideration.”
“Your parents were that way?”
She lifted her chin and stared at the far wall. “Nay.”
“Then is that what you want—to be told who you can marry?”
“Nay, but I want you to be honest with me, and I don’t want you to feel forced into something because my clan has threatened you.”
He wiped his hand down his face. He’d never felt so awkward, so foolish about a conversation. “Please help me. Will you answer one question for me?”
“If I can.” Her pursed lips told him that he’d summoned her stubborn streak.
“Are you interested in me? In pursuing a relationship that could lead to marriage? May I court you?”
“We’re not at court.”
“I know that. But I thought that implied a certain level of interest. I don’t know for sure how to ask, but I’ve spent all my adult years living with men in the forest, fighting for freedom. I’m not knowledgeable about some things. Please help me here