Tempest Heart - Paula Quinn Page 0,41
with a motherly smile that almost made Rose burst into uncontrollable tears. But no. She had to remain strong.
“I know how to keep him alive, dear gel. I have done it before.”
Rose smiled back and rushed into the room where Tristan lay, still unresponsive. She didn’t want to leave him. Not now. Not ever. “Oh, my love, I must go. I must go.” She kissed his mouth then ran from the room.
She didn’t stop to bid Nel or the innkeeper farewell. She was afraid Captain Harper would come looking for her…for him.
She stepped outside and walked toward him. “Let us depart,” she demanded. She quickly stepped around him, afraid that he could hear her heart crashing against her ribs.
“Do not tarry, Captain,” she called out when he turned to look toward the inn, as if he were still deciding whether or not to go inside. She mounted her saddle and flicked her reins, heading south.
She knew he would follow her instead of going inside. If he lost her, he could never return to her father. If he lost her, her father wouldn’t care if Tristan came for him or not. The captain would never let that happen.
He leaped into his saddle and followed behind her, closing the gap at a quick trot.
If she weren’t so miserable, she might smile that she knew him so well.
She thanked God for Nel, but could she keep Tristan alive this time? She wanted to weep until there was nothing left of her because she wouldn’t be there to know.
“What are his plans?” he asked, catching up to her.
“To live, I suppose.”
“Did he tell you why he was hired to kill your father?”
She slowed her horse and looked at him. “There are some who believe he killed my mother and…me. Or had us killed.”
He shook his head. His handsome, scarred face contorted as he muttered something about ridiculous.
“That is what I told Tristan. Why would Father hide me from the world if he were the killer? Why are you smiling, Captain?”
“Do you realize who ’tis you speak of as if he were just anyone?”
“He is just anyone,” she replied and picked up her pace again, wanting to get him as far away from the helpless Tristan as she could.
“No, you are incorrect,” he said, catching up. “In one year, he has become almost legendary to some. He is like a dark warning to the evil-hearted. Everyone in power is a bit more upright in their dealings with the peasants because of him.”
Rose studied him a little more closely. “You agree with what he is doing.”
He gave her a slight nod, as if he were afraid to admit it. “But not when it comes to your father.”
“Aye.” She agreed with him, of course. “Because my father is innocent.”
“Aye.”
“Tristan promised not to lay a finger on him if he is innocent.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I do,” she replied without hesitation. Did she believe it? Obviously, she did. “I think he is already leaning toward father’s innocence.”
“And if, in the end, he believes otherwise?”
Rose shook her head. She didn’t want to think on that. “Tristan seems fair. He…” she paused for a moment. “He has honor, for a killer. I believe he will realize the truth and—”
“And what?” the captain asked. “Do you think your father will allow you to marry a man who kills for a living? You do love him, do you not? Aye, I can see it, Rose,” he said gently.
“He is…” What? What could she say to describe what Tristan was to her? He was elemental, primal, savage, and determined to keep his heart guarded. But he’d faltered and broke down before her eyes. She watched him surrender himself to her and instead of giving her a sense of power, it humbled her. Who was she that she could win such a man? He was better than any trait on her list. He let her in.
“He is my beloved, aye,” she confessed with a surge of conviction. “As for him being a man who kills for a living, soldiers do the same thing because another man orders it. Did you not agree to kill Tristan because my father told you to do it?”
“Aye,” he agreed. “I understand your point, Lady, but the fact remains, he will never allow you to wed MacPherson.”
She didn’t care. She would marry whom she pleased—and that was Tristan. If he asked, that is. She didn’t tell the captain though. He might agree with what Tristan was doing but he was