“Aye,” Jamie agreed, running back to the waiting maid.
“Why did you do that? If what you spoke of with Annie is true, he’s no safe here.” And the thought of Jamie being in danger curdled her stomach.
“Because making an issue of it here, drawing attention to the lad, creates more of a danger for him than simply having him go about his business as usual.”
It made sense when he explained it that way so she let it drop, following him into the stable and waiting quietly while he readied his horse.
Her nerves were on edge from her worry over Jamie’s safety, and now, not knowing what would happen in the next few minutes was almost more than she could bear. She had no idea whether Robbie would lift her onto his mount with him to return to her cottage or simply ride away and leave her standing here.
Outside, the wind whipped through the stable yard, blowing bits of rubbish and sticks in harsh little whirlpools of air.
She had to get hold of her thoughts and emotions.
“No another storm coming on,” Robbie grumbled. “I’d appreciate at bit of calm weather, thank you very much.”
“I’m doing my best,” she muttered in return, not realizing she’d spoken aloud until he laughed as if she’d made a joke.
“Come on, then, let’s get you mounted.”
She hesitated, wondering if he understood she would go nowhere but to her own home.
“Yer taking me to the cottage, aye?”
“Aye.”
His response was tight and clipped, as closed as his expression, not telling her at all what she really wanted to know. Learning any more would require swallowing a bit of her pride and asking.
Ah, well, pride was highly overrated anyway.
“And once we’re there? You’ll be leaving, I suppose. To return to yer family?”
Not knowing exactly what answer she really wanted, she couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze.
He, however, seemed not to suffer from that problem. He grasped her chin gently between his fingers, turning her face to his. The eyes she looked into were dark and troubled, but bore not the smallest sign of doubt.
“I mean stay at the cottage with you.”
No, he was supposed to go! That was what she had counted on, what she had wanted. Wasn’t it? She was so confused, she wasn’t sure she knew what she wanted anymore.
But what she didn’t want was another matter. She didn’t want him staying with her because he felt some ridiculous responsibility as a result of having made love to her. She had to know the truth. Her pride would simply have to take one more hit.
“Are you staying because we... because of what we did last night?”
“No. What passed between us has nothing to do with my staying.” He brushed one thumb up over her cheek. “Know this, Isa: Where you go, I go, as long as I am able. I’d have you safe in my family keep if I were to have my way. But if you’ll no agree to that, then I’ll stay by yer side to my last breath. That’s my pledge to you.”
His words slammed into her with a force of their own so that she barely noticed when he let go of her chin and lifted her to his horse or when he climbed up behind her and pulled her close against him.
“I’ll stay by yer side to my last breath.”
His words should terrify her, threatening as they did her freedom and independence. Instead her heart felt as warm as her body did, ensconced in his arms.
Chapter 19
“Agneys Lardiner MacGahan.” Agneys shook her head and made another try at it. “Agneys MacGahan.LadyMacGahan.”
Oh, she liked the sound of that! Perhaps she’d speak to the laird tomorrow and request that he order his people to address her by that title. She twirled in a little circle, reveling in the feel of the fine linen nightdress the laird had gifted her, clasping a tiny cup to her breast.
With a great sigh, she spun around once more, slowly this time, admiring her new bedchamber. All hers. The bedchamber of the wife of the laird.