Read Online Highland Troth (Highland Talents Book 3) by Willa Blair - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Willa Blair
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desperate to hide her disappointment from him. How could she ever talk to Jamie if he kept his distance? Especially now he was angry with her. Before Will interrupted, she’d managed to say just enough to make Jamie wary, then she’d lied to Will in Jamie’s presence. What must he think of her now?
Chapter Five
Jamie had to force himself to return to camp when his turn at the watch ended. Alone in the woods with nothing but the soft whisper of the breeze through the spring leaves and the moon playing hide-and-go-seek behind passing clouds, he had managed to regain his equilibrium, calm his breathing, and unlock his jaw. But Caitrin slept in the camp, a temptation he could not consider giving in to.
As he approached the banked glow of the campfire, he paused to study the bundled up bodies sleeping near it. The smallest one was Caitrin. Wrapped in her cloak and a length of the Fletcher plaid against the cold. What he could see of her face appeared youthful and innocent—more like the Caitrin he used to know than the woman she was today—the woman seemingly bent on trying his resolve. The woman who lied to her kinsman to protect him. Not to protect Jamie. To protect Will, from Jamie. Was he so fearsome then?
True, he’d scared off the wildcat, but really, no wildcat could ever be a match for a man. Fierce as they were, perhaps twice the size and weight of the mousers that kept the kitchen and food stores free of vermin at the Aerie, they were also skittish loners. Likely, Caitrin had been correct that it had been protecting a nearby den.
So what was she up to? Jamie eased himself to a seat on log near where Caitrin slept. She looked so peaceful. He could hardly fathom the changes she faced in her life—new home, marriage, children. His throat tightened the thought of her lying with another man. Then he pursed his lips and shook his head. He had no right to care what Caitrin did with her life. He’d made no attempt to see her, even to write to her, after she left the Aerie. It had been too painful.
But that pain was nothing compared to having her within reach, yet untouchable.
“What are ye frowning at?” Catrin’s soft whisper startled him. She sat up and raised an eyebrow, waiting for his response.
He shook his head. “Nothing, lass. Thoughts. Memories.”
“Of me?”
Jamie bit his lip to keep the “aye” from slipping out. “Nay.”
“I ken ye too well, Jamie Lathan, to believe that.”
“It doesna matter. Go back to sleep.”
“I’d rather talk to ye.” She tossed aside the woolen wraps and stood, pulling her tattered cloak around her then joined him on the fallen log, a proper arms-length away. “I find it hard to sleep when there’s trouble between me and an old friend.”
Jamie tossed some kindling into the low fire and watched sparks dance skyward. Anything to avoid looking at the woman beside him.
“Ye’re upset because of what I told Will.”
Jamie huffed out a breath. “Shouldna I be?”
“Would ye rather fight him?” Her voice was barely louder than a whisper. “Or have him convey his suspicions to my da?”
“Ye ken I wouldna.”
“Then ye ken why I spoke as I did.” Caitrin kept her voice low, but it grew in volume along with her intensity. “Ye did nothing wrong, Jamie. Ye scared the cat away and saved me from injury. Ye were carrying me back to camp to be tended.”
He faced her, concern drawing down his brow. “Ye never were...tended. Did the claws break yer skin?”
“Nay. The thick layers of tightly woven fabric protected my back. I am unhurt.” Caitrin lifted a hand to her neck and shuddered. “A few minutes more and she might have found my throat.”
Jamie understood she had been shaken up by the encounter, despite her protests to the contrary. Will’s accusations surely had not helped.
He studied her as she stared into the firelight, lost in her own imaginings. She’d grown from a gawky girl to a woman of uncommon beauty, one Jamie could scarce
Chapter Five
Jamie had to force himself to return to camp when his turn at the watch ended. Alone in the woods with nothing but the soft whisper of the breeze through the spring leaves and the moon playing hide-and-go-seek behind passing clouds, he had managed to regain his equilibrium, calm his breathing, and unlock his jaw. But Caitrin slept in the camp, a temptation he could not consider giving in to.
As he approached the banked glow of the campfire, he paused to study the bundled up bodies sleeping near it. The smallest one was Caitrin. Wrapped in her cloak and a length of the Fletcher plaid against the cold. What he could see of her face appeared youthful and innocent—more like the Caitrin he used to know than the woman she was today—the woman seemingly bent on trying his resolve. The woman who lied to her kinsman to protect him. Not to protect Jamie. To protect Will, from Jamie. Was he so fearsome then?
True, he’d scared off the wildcat, but really, no wildcat could ever be a match for a man. Fierce as they were, perhaps twice the size and weight of the mousers that kept the kitchen and food stores free of vermin at the Aerie, they were also skittish loners. Likely, Caitrin had been correct that it had been protecting a nearby den.
So what was she up to? Jamie eased himself to a seat on log near where Caitrin slept. She looked so peaceful. He could hardly fathom the changes she faced in her life—new home, marriage, children. His throat tightened the thought of her lying with another man. Then he pursed his lips and shook his head. He had no right to care what Caitrin did with her life. He’d made no attempt to see her, even to write to her, after she left the Aerie. It had been too painful.
But that pain was nothing compared to having her within reach, yet untouchable.
“What are ye frowning at?” Catrin’s soft whisper startled him. She sat up and raised an eyebrow, waiting for his response.
He shook his head. “Nothing, lass. Thoughts. Memories.”
“Of me?”
Jamie bit his lip to keep the “aye” from slipping out. “Nay.”
“I ken ye too well, Jamie Lathan, to believe that.”
“It doesna matter. Go back to sleep.”
“I’d rather talk to ye.” She tossed aside the woolen wraps and stood, pulling her tattered cloak around her then joined him on the fallen log, a proper arms-length away. “I find it hard to sleep when there’s trouble between me and an old friend.”
Jamie tossed some kindling into the low fire and watched sparks dance skyward. Anything to avoid looking at the woman beside him.
“Ye’re upset because of what I told Will.”
Jamie huffed out a breath. “Shouldna I be?”
“Would ye rather fight him?” Her voice was barely louder than a whisper. “Or have him convey his suspicions to my da?”
“Ye ken I wouldna.”
“Then ye ken why I spoke as I did.” Caitrin kept her voice low, but it grew in volume along with her intensity. “Ye did nothing wrong, Jamie. Ye scared the cat away and saved me from injury. Ye were carrying me back to camp to be tended.”
He faced her, concern drawing down his brow. “Ye never were...tended. Did the claws break yer skin?”
“Nay. The thick layers of tightly woven fabric protected my back. I am unhurt.” Caitrin lifted a hand to her neck and shuddered. “A few minutes more and she might have found my throat.”
Jamie understood she had been shaken up by the encounter, despite her protests to the contrary. Will’s accusations surely had not helped.
He studied her as she stared into the firelight, lost in her own imaginings. She’d grown from a gawky girl to a woman of uncommon beauty, one Jamie could scarce
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