Page 77 of Keeping Kate

She reached out to assist, untying the cloth sling so that he could put the shirt on more easily. He thrust his head through the neck of the shirt, put his arm through, and she retied the sling.

“I am not going with you,” she said quietly.

Pulling the shirt down fully, he paused, looked at her. “You must.”

“I mean to stay here with my kinsmen. You must leave.” She stepped back, away from his spell. “Allan thinks so, and Neill. They say Rob will agree.”

“I have no doubt they want me out of here, but you must go with me. You are obliged to appear in Edinburgh. If you hide from that, they will send men for you, and that will endanger your kinsmen.”

“I could leave and spare them. And you.”

“Go into exile and leave Scotland altogether?”

“My father was exiled. We lived in France and Belgium for years because of it. I only returned two years ago. Papa never saw Scotland again. He died at James Stuart’s court in Rome. I will stay here and make my decision.” She folded her arms.

Alec tipped his head to regard her. “Once you make up your mind, you never give in, do you?”

“Rarely.”

“Well, then,” he said, sounding thoughtful, but did not continue.

“I am safe here,” she said, almost to fill the silence. “This glen is remote enough.”

“Not any longer, with Wade’s troops about building roads.”

“If I kept out of sight, after a while, Katie Hell would be forgotten. Only you know the truth outside my own kin. You and Jack. And if you do not tell them who I am, you could keep me safe that way and go about your own life.”

“You expect me to just walk away from you? Now, after—this? Us?”

Did that exist between them? She glanced down, her heart aching so that she crossed her arms over her chest. “I must ask your promise to keep my identity secret.”

“Another bargain, Kate? What would you give me in return?”

She raised her gaze to his. “My trust.”

“I want that.” He reached out, took her arm again, drew her toward him, her hip meeting his thigh, coverlet thick between them. “But I cannot leave you.”

“Can you not?” She could hear the soft sound of her breathing as she waited.

He pulled her closer so that she rested a hand against his chest for balance, feeling his heartbeat under her hand. Pulled her nearer still, gathering her to him, his cheek against hers. “There is another matter to consider,” he murmured at her ear.

“Oh,” she breathed, legs wilting. He kissed her earlobe, traced his mouth along her cheek, took her lower lip, pulled. She sucked in a sudden breath, melting further as he supported her. “What matter is that?”

“You are still under arrest,” he whispered against her mouth.

She pushed away, hard and fast. “That!”

His hand tightened at her lower back. “That. And you remain under the legal custody of an appointed agent of the government.”

“You—dreadful—”

“Me. Not dreadful. Just a realist. Come here,” he breathed, drawing her forward again. She went, wanting this—took the kiss—then pushed back again.

“Do not do that,” she said. “I cannot think when you—ply that magic over me.”

“Magic?” He looked amused at that. His eyes were so very blue. Had she ever noticed how beautiful they were?

“You do something to me when you touch me,” she said breathlessly. “I cannot help myself. You are only man who has ever—and yet you are the one who would take me to—prison.” She felt a sob rising in her throat.