Knight of the Highlander (6 page)

"Aye, I'll admit tae that. But you're still a traitor." The words were spoken without conviction, and Colin found that interesting. Just where did her loyalty lie? He had assumed her mumblings meant she was planning on coming clean with him as Colin, but now he wasn't so sure.

"Traitor? Why would you call me such a vile name? What evidence do you hold against me?" He was careful to keep his tone light. Her hesitation was almost comical as he imagined the wheels turning in her head while she tried to come up with a logical answer.

"Well, ye are an Englishman…"

"So I deserve the noose?"

"Aye."

"I didn't take you for the bloodthirsty type, love. It seems a bit harsh to assume that. What have I done wrong? Aside from being English that is." He paced back and forth while watching her dark silhouette from the corner of his eye.

"Everyone knows that an Englishman in the highlands is likely up to no good, plus we have a traitor in the Clan Chattan." She paused before adding. "Tis you."

"Ah, Arywnn. It is Arywnn isn't it?" He looked up, and at her barely discernable nod he continued. "Tis a pity you have assumed so much, I had hoped you were here searching for me, wanting to taste my kiss once more."

"Then ye aren't the traitor?" The tone she used sounded disappointed, but Colin disregarded it. She took a step forward, and he could see her shadowed face a bit clearer.

"Love, I never said that." He spoke lowly, wondering if he made the right decision. It was a dangerous game he was playing. On one hand, he could deny everything and have her search the night for a figment of her imagination, or he could give her a scapegoat, one that would end up unraveling her true loyalties. One that would maybe give him a chance to win her heart for the man he was in truth, rather than the lie.

****

Arywnn never would have dreamed that he would find her. One moment she had been lost in her own thoughts that centered on him, and the next his voice called to her echoing softly off the water of the nearby loch. The night air thickened with tension as she asked the questions she feared, but needed answered. When he refused to deny her accusation, the weight of the situation burdened her shoulders anew. No longer did she have a reason to keep anything from Colin when he arrived. Why could he not have been a passerby? Then she could have kept her secrets, but now they must be shared. The night was silent as she thought over his words, but one question occurred to her.

"Are ye daft? And why would ye admit tae such a thing?"

"I have admitted to nothing — I implied. You drew your own conclusions."

Arywnn expelled a large breath in exasperation at the turn the conversation had taken.

"As I see it, either way you have no reason to believe me. What have I done to earn your loyalty or trust?" His voice whispered lowly as he walked closer to where she stood. "Aside from your ill-fated attempt at adventure last night and my heroic rescue, that is," he added after a moment's pause. A slight lilt to his voice sounded jovial, but also hinted at a Scottish brogue. That was interesting. But of course if he were the traitor, he would need to blend in. The thought brought a sickening burn to her stomach.

"Aye, ye are right."

"I love hearing those words from a woman." His tone was teasing, but Arywnn was not amused.

"Well savor them sweet, because that'll be the last time the likes of ye hears them from me." She spoke a little too loudly, and covered her mouth with her hand.

"Temper, temper. I only intended to tease, sweet Arywnn."

A few feet closer, and he would be able to reach out and touch her. Why wasn't she afraid? After all, she didn't know him, not truly. He had all but admitted to being the traitor of her clan, yet she couldn't find it within herself to move away as he continued his careful approach.

She struggled to find any detail that would hint at his assumed identity, but none were visible in the silver moonlight. A part of her heart rejoiced that she was able to pretend he wasn't the threat, but no sooner had she thought it than she realized that his freedom meant her prison. For if someone else discovered him, then she would have no hope at all. With new resolve she found her voice.

"No closer." She used a warning tone. When his approach halted, she found herself both thankful and disappointed. The moment she reached up to remove her dagger she found herself pinned to the tree.

"I wouldn't suggest doing something foolish like that," the Englishman whispered into her ear as he held her fast against the trunk. His hands gripped her wrists and wrenched the dagger from her hand without causing her any pain.

"I will not hurt you milady, but I will not allow you to harm me either." His tone held no room for argument. With a resigned sigh, Arywnn gave up her struggle. He wasn't harming her, simply preventing her from harming him.

She gazed up into his dark face, studying it intently. He held her firm, yet waited as if allowing her perusal. She glanced down and expelled a silent breath that swirled in a foggy cloud before disappearing.

"I must admit that you caught me off guard, love. Imagine my surprise, in thinking I was going to steal another kiss, that I find you intending to harm me instead." He
tsked
his tongue and leaned in closer, ticking the sensitive flesh just below her ear with his breath as he spoke. "Sweet Arywnn has a wicked bite," he murmured.

Arywnn's eyes fluttered closed in response to his warm whispered breath at her neck.

"Yet I understand the hesitation you must feel toward me. More so, I accept it. I'll leave you to your solitude." His voice was just above a whisper as his lips teased her jawline through the shroud, his warm breath sending shivers down her back. Leaning into his warmth, she almost fell forward as he began to back away. Her eyes flashed open. At once her heart pounded with loss.

Yet how could that be? She didn't know him! There was no reason for her to have any attachment to him. As he backed away a thread connecting her heart to him grew taunt, squeezing her chest with anxiety.

"Forgive me." She whispered, her eyes searching the shadow of his face.

Immediately he paused.

"Do you think me a fool? Surely you know I will not fall for your act a second time. I prefer to keep my blood inside my skin, rather allow you to shed it." His tone was sharp yet he tilted his head, as if questioning her, searching for a reason to stay.

Arywnn huffed. "I think you a great many things, yet a fool is not one. Ye have my word that I'll not try tae shed yer blood again. Ye've caused me no harm, rather the opposite." She whispered the last words, shame pouring hot over her. Yet her father's words rose through, remind her, taunting her with freedom.
Yet at what cost?

****

Colin shifted from one foot to another, unsure of what to do next. Oh, he knew she'd not attack him again. The defiant tilt of her chin spoke of pride, not an attempt to break down his defenses. She had indeed shocked him with the attack. In all his time as a spy he had never let his guard down so completely as when he had leaned closer to inhale the fragrance of rosemary coming from her soft skin. A moment of hesitation, and she would have easily drawn blood.

That would have been hard to explain
.

Truly it was a brilliant plan. For if she had drawn blood, then tomorrow all she needed to do was locate the Scotsman with the very same wound. Effectively discovering the traitor. Colin shook his head in wonder. Rather than betrayal, his heart surged with pride over her clever plan.

"You are forgiven," Colin spoke carefully, still maintaining his distance. The further away he was, the clearer was his mind. And around her he needed all the clarity he could get.

"Thank ye." Her words were whispered like the sound of rough hands caressing velvet.

Colin's body stiffened with desire at the tone of her voice.

Yes. Distance was necessary.

"Ye best leave."

Colin bit back a grin.

"Are ye expectin' someone else? A lover perhaps?"

"Tis none of yer business." She responded crisply as her shoulders straightened.

"Perhaps… is he handsome? Does he make your heart pound just at the thought of his kiss?" Colin taunted gently. "Ah, that's right. I believe that I have been the lucky recipient of your first kiss… so this must not be a lover you intend to meet."

Arywnn sputtered, her tiny hands fisted at her sides. "I never said ye were my first kiss."

"You didn't need to." Colin shot back. "Yet I find myself racked with guilt."

Arywnn let out a disbelieving snort with a shake of her head.

Colin bit back a chuckle. "You see… perhaps I stole what you mean to give this man… maybe I'm not the Knight, but the thief." Colin approached her then. Slowly he advanced, and wished for more light to see her exquisite features clearer, yet the silver moonlight did illuminate enough for him to see the slight widening of her eyes and gentle parting of her full lips.

He moved to once again have the moonlight behind him as he reached up to remove the scarf hiding most of his face. Her eyes followed his movements with rapt attention. The base of her throat bobbed with a hungry swallow. With the length of black wool now draping from his hand, he stepped closer to where she waited.

"Ye do that on purpose. Keep the light tae yer back," Arywnn said.

"Of course. I can't have you seeing my face and giving away our secret."

"Our secret?"

"Yes, love. Our secret." He reached around and wrapped the scarf around her waist, and pulled her into the cove of his large frame. She came willingly, gazing up at him with hesitation and desire. He tightened the scarf and pulled her in closer. With lingering anticipation, he leaned in toward her lips, watching her eyes flutter closed. "Since I'm the thief and not the Knight, at least this night, I'll not ask for what I desire, though my conscience will surely plague me come morning." He paused then moved his head gently back and forth, running his lips over hers softly with the lightest touch.

"You steal nothing this night." Arywnn's husky whisper was Colin's undoing, but before he could respond she leaned forward and captured his lips within her own. At once her lips demanded his attention, and he willingly gave it. Though she started the kiss, at once Colin commandeered control and ravaged her lips. He trailed warm kisses down her jawline and to her sensitive ear.

"I never want to steal a kiss from you, love. Only ones you give freely. Ones you surrender, for love gives rather than takes." He plunged his rough hands into her long auburn tresses, trailing his fingers down the bumps of her braid and across her slender back. He gladly gave her lips all his devotion as he devoured her unique taste, committing it to memory. Abruptly he broke the seal of their kiss and leaned back yet still holding her close.

"Yer lover approaches. But don't you worry love, if he doesn't see you home to safety, I will. You have my word. Perhaps I'm not the thief after all," he whispered before kissing her once more, savoring her soft lips under his own. With a lingering glance he wrapped his scarf around his face and ran into the thick night, a satisfied grin overtaking his features. Yet as his heart settled in with joy, fear crept in. If she felt so strong for Colin the Knight, then why had she asked for Colin the blacksmith's aid?

Uncertainty clawed it's way into his heart. The truth was far from being exposed. Colin shook his head and began to switch clothes. He reached down into the loch and dampened his hands, running them through his hair. As
Knight
his hair had been loose, as Colin the blacksmith, it would be tied back as if he had just cleaned from a hard day at the forge. He took the discarded clothes and hid them behind a large rock, concealing them. With a fortifying breath, he started around to the other side where Arywnn waited. As he wove silently through the trees he wondered,
Where does her heart lie?
He knew his question was about to be answered.

Arywnn searched the darkness for any sign of Knight or Colin.
What have I done?
Silently she berated herself for falling victim to his charm once again. Yet as she mentally argued, her heart spoke the truth of her emotions. Her heart had chosen, and foolishly.

For what hope did she have if she fell in love with the traitor?

None. All she would reap would be a broken heart and triumphant father.

Truly how did she manage to get herself into these types of messes!

Frustrated and chilled she kicked the dirt in front of her foot impatiently. Surely it was past the time for Colin to arrive! As she began to grow further impatient, she heard a rustling of the leaves and Colin entered the clearing with loud fanfare. Her lips twisted in a grin as she thought about the differences between Knight and Colin. When Knight arrived, it was if he came from the darkness itself. His steps were quiet, muted, and careful. Even when he spoke, it was controlled. And here was Colin, loud and making quite the entrance. Yet as she compared the two men, there seemed a vague similarity. Immediately she dismissed it, but it lingered in the back of her mind.