The Viper (Highland Guard #4)(63)

She might look soft and feminine on the outside, but that fragile exterior hid a will of steel. He’d always admired her strength but had never realized its magnitude.

“Here,” he said, unfastening the plaid he wore around his shoulders and passing it to her as they rode. “It’s getting cold.”

A small furrow appeared between her brows. “But you only have a cotun.”

“I’m fine,” he insisted. “Take it.”

Her gaze met his in the moonlit darkness, but she didn’t protest further, taking the plaid and wrapping it around her shoulders. He didn’t miss the little sigh of contentment as she snuggled in its deep folds. She gave him a sidelong glance from under her lashes. “You gave this to me once before.”

“Did I? I don’t remember.” One side of her mouth curved as if she knew he lied, and he decided to change the subject. “Are you holding up all right?”

“I’m fine,” she said firmly, sitting up a little straighter in her saddle—trying to convince herself or him, he didn’t know.

He held her gaze, wanting to say something more, but not wanting to upset her with bad memories. Finally, he nodded. “Let me know if you need to rest.”

She started to protest—stubbornly—but he cut her off with a sharp glance. Though it was dark, he swore he could see the soft pink of a flush rise to stain her cheeks before she nodded. “As you wish.”

Suspecting that was about as much compliance as he would ever get from her, he left it at that.

They rode through the long hours of the night. Although they would take care to avoid contact with anyone and veer well off the road whenever they drew near a village, danger lurked around every bend.

He’d feel a whole hell of a lot better when they were back in the Highlands. But at this pace that might take some time.

His gaze slid back to Bella just in time to see her head roll forward and her body start to fall to the side.

Damn it! He yelled her name as he lurched his mount forward. She startled back awake with an upright jolt at the same time that his arm latched around her waist to catch her. Because it was easier—and his heart had taken enough of a strain tonight—he gave momentum a little help and pulled her right onto his lap.

She stiffened, cranking her ahead around to peer up at him in the darkness. “What are you doing?”

His mouth thinned. “What does it look like I’m doing? You’re riding with me.” He pulled her in tight against his chest. Only to make his point, of course—not because having her pressed against him was about the best damned feeling in the world.

Her eyes widened in the darkness. “That isn’t necessary, I’m not a child—”

“Then don’t act like one,” he said bluntly. “You almost fell off your horse; you’re so exhausted. Damn it, Bella, I told you to get some rest.”

“I did,” she protested. She slumped against him, defeated. “I tried. But I was too excited.”

He wanted to stay angry—angry was safe—but he felt himself soften. “To see your daughter?”

She nodded, a radiant smile lighting her face. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen her.”

There wasn’t anything accusing in her tone, but he felt a stab of guilt nonetheless. “I know.”

As their eyes met in the darkness, a lifetime of memories passed between them. “I don’t blame you,” she said softly. “Not anymore. You were right. If I’d taken my daughter, she might have …”

Her voice was too thick to continue. But he knew what she was thinking. Her daughter might have suffered the same fate as she did—as young Mary Bruce had as well.

“What’s she like?” he said, trying to distract her.

It worked. The smile was back on her face. “Smart. Quiet. Not shy, but reserved. She has her father’s coloring but my eyes.” Her mouth quirked, and she gave him a sly glance. “But I don’t need to tell you that, since you’ve met her for yourself.”

He knew she was referring to the message he’d taken the girl not long after her mother’s departure—a message he’d denied taking. Obviously she hadn’t believed him.

He didn’t bother denying it a second time, but her faith in him after all that had happened surprised him. It caught him off guard. “She’s a lovely girl.”

Just like her mother.

Bella stared up at him as if she could read his mind. His chest tightened. Squeezed tight with an emotion that didn’t belong to him. He’d forgotten this. Forgotten the intensity of the connection and how hard it was to resist her. He had to force his gaze from hers. “Get some rest, Bella,” he said, as sternly as he could muster.

She seemed to want to say something more, but after a moment she nodded. It didn’t take her long to fall asleep. A few minutes later, he felt her body slump into his and heard the soft, even sound of her breathing.

A wave of contentment came over him. He was glad to have her safe, that was all.

If he relished holding her just a little too much, he consoled himself that at least this way they could quicken the pace.

In fact, he might just have to ride with her the entire way back to the Highlands. For her safety as well as theirs, of course.

Bella sighed with contentment, burrowing deeper into the warm coverlet that smelled of leather and spice. She felt so safe and warm.