Page 5 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

R oyce watched her sleep. Sleep was what she mostly did these past two days.

She would wake and talk with him for a short while and then drift off to sleep once again.

It amazed him how often she would smile at him when her eyes slowly opened to find him beside her, and at times she would drift immediately back to sleep, as if she had opened her eyes only to make certain he was nearby.

That they had established a trust between them was obvious, but it extended only so far, and he realized the wisdom of her ways.

He was after all a stranger, and she was vulnerable in her weakened condition.

He had made certain to treat her with gently hands and with respect, never once touching her intimately, though it was difficult. After all he was a man.

A man who needed to heal.

Brianna stirred in her sleep and he moved swiftly to her side from where he sat near the table.

He adjusted the wool blanket around her and then ran a soothing hand over her forehead.

He had worried about a fever setting in, though she had no open wounds, and usually festering wounds drew a fever.

While bruises were painful, they were not always life-threatening, though he had seen men die from a single bruise.

He sat on the bed beside her and ran his hand along the side of her face.

She sighed and snuggled her face against his touch.

He had gone and retrieved her satchel from the overturned coach, and he had searched for the healing basket she had mentioned, but he could not find it.

He had thought she would feel more comfortable in her night shift, but the movement required to slip into it had proven too painful for her, so she remained naked beneath the blanket.

Questions haunted him, questions he wished to ask of her, yet he knew now was not the time. He had come to realize that while she may have been married, she was not comfortable with a man’s touch, which led him to believe that her marriage had not been a loving one.

He did wonder who now watched over her, for she had two clansmen with her on her journey, a sure sign that someone offered her protection. Who was it? And was he now searching for her?

She had offered no information on her clan, but then he could not fault her for that, for the Highland clans were forever at odds with each other, one minute calling one a friend, the next minute a foe.

He had time to discover more about her even if someone was out searching for her.

The cottage was tucked away deep in the woods with no direct path leading to it.

And it seemed that Mother Nature herself wished Brianna to remain with him, for a light snow had started in the late morning and turned heavier as the hours passed.

It was near to nightfall now and several inches covered the ground, concealing their footsteps and preventing anyone from finding them.

They were hidden from the world for a while and he liked the idea. Brianna needed time to heal from her wounds, as did he.

He watched her eyes drift slowly open, and her soft, faint smile forced him to smile, as best he could, in return.

“I feel chilled.” She shivered and attempted to burrow further beneath the covers.

Royce silently cursed himself. He had gone hunting earlier and had left his heavier tunic on when he returned, being in a hurry to clean the fat rabbit and prepare a stew for supper.

He had felt she needed more solid food than just broth.

He had not realized he had allowed the fire to burn low until he placed the iron pot in the hearth.

He had added more logs immediately, but the logs were damp and taking time to flame.

He had since moved a stack of logs inside knowing that if the snowstorm continued a blazing fire would be essential to their comfort.

He retrieved another wool blanket from the chest at the end of the bed and placed it over Brianna. “We can try again to dress you in your night shift. You would be much warmer.”

She seemed to give his suggestion careful thought, and then slowly shook her head. “I know I must sound a coward, but it is just too painful,” —she paused, taking a light breath— “perhaps in another day or two.”

“A coward you are not.” He sounded as if he scolded.

He wanted her to realize her own bravery. It took courage to bear pain and to trust a stranger to help.

She paid no mind to his gentle scolding, her smile growing stronger. “My brother tells me that I am stubborn; my sister-in-law tells me I am determined.”

“I like your sister-in-law.” His own smile grew slowly along with hers.

“She is a woman I much admire.”

Brianna sniffed the air. “Is that rabbit stew I smell?”

“Hungry?” He had hoped her appetite would improve, and while he knew she probably could not stomach much, it was necessary to her healing that she eats more. She needed to regain her strength, for she remained weak, unable to do for herself and he knew that it upset her to be vulnerable.

“Aye, I am. I think perhaps I could even feed myself this time.”

She seemed determined, but he thought of how slight movements left her in pain. A few of her bruises had worsened, and two new ones had slowly made themselves known. Her recovery would take time and patience.

“We will see.”

Before he could stand, her hand slowly crept from beneath the covers to touch his arm. “Really, I feel stronger.”

He held his hand to hers. “Squeeze one of my fingers.”

She looked ready and confident to prove her point, and she grasped his one finger. Her eyes instantly clamped tight from the stab of pain that shot through her, and she felt herself grow faint. His name was but a mere whisper on her trembling lips. “Royce.”

He cursed beneath his breath for foolishly offering her a choice. His hand closed gently around hers, and his other hand softly stroked her face while he soothed her with tender encouraging words.

“The pain will pass. Relax and think only of my touch.” His voice softened to a whisper. “Your skin is so smooth and warm, and it blushes when I touch it.”

Her eyes remained closed, but a faint smile touched her lips. “I am not accustomed to such a gentle and caring touch from a man. And you are a caring man, Royce… for a warrior.”

He did not wish to reveal himself to her, but he did wish to keep her talking and thinking about anything but her pain. “My scars betray me?”

“Not only the scars.”

“What, then, besides the scars?”

“The sheer size of you, the thick, hard muscles in your arms and chest, the confidence with which you carry yourself and the pain within your eyes.”

He was impressed with her observations. Not many bothered to look and actually see the truth of a person. As a warrior, he had learned the skill of observation at a young age and used it to his advantage. He had, however, never met anyone who could do the same until Brianna.

“Battle must leave heavy scars on the soul.” Her eyes opened slowly and she looked at him, waiting for a reply.

She challenged him in conversation and thought, something he had never experienced with a woman, yet something that titillated in its own way. “One needs a soul to have it scarred.”

Surprisingly, she laughed gently. “Everyone has a soul, Royce.”

“Not warriors.”

“Especially warriors.”

He shook his head.

She would not let him deny her words. “Aye, warriors have the strongest of souls. They protect the weaker souls and do what must be done for the sake of freedom. Life can be cruel without warriors; complete chaos would reign and no one would know peace.”

“You speak with wisdom for one so young.”

“I am not young.” Her smile faded. “I am old from my experiences.”

“Like a warrior?”

She nodded slowly. “Aye, a warrior who faced a different type of battle.”

She suddenly seemed uncomfortable and attempted to move.

His arms instantly locked her in place, preventing her from making the slightest movement. “Do not. You will only cause yourself pain. I will move you.”

She looked about to object, but he would not have it.

He was firm and adamant. “I will move you until you are well enough to move yourself, is that understood?”

A flash of concern crossed her face.

He was glad he saw no fear there, and he hurried to ease her concerns. “I will not harm you. I do not wish to see you in pain. In time you will be able to do for yourself, but until then allow me the honor of seeing to your care.”

She did not understand what it was about, this man who made her trust him. She only knew instinctively that she could, and that puzzled her. Why did he seem different to her? She knew nothing about him, and yet she felt safe and protected by this stranger.

“You wonder over the truth of my words.”

“Nay,” she said softly. “I wonder why I believe you.”

“My charm?” He grinned.

Her smile bordered on a laugh, but then a laugh would have caused her pain. “I think it more your caring soul.”

He would not deny her the safety of her thoughts. If she assumed him a caring soul, then so be it. The truth would only upset her, and while he was not without a caring soul, he was also a man who abandoned his soul when necessary.

“Then it is set; I will care for you, and you will do nothing until I determine you well enough.”

She was quick to speak. “I think not. It is necessary that I rely on you for my care, and for that I am grateful, but I will determine what I can and cannot do.”

“We shall see,” he said, sounding as though he ignored her words, and gently slipped his arm beneath her back.

Before she could protest, he easily moved her to rest more comfortably on the pillows he added behind her back and neck. “Now for supper.”