Chapter 2 - Valuables
Surprise bloomed in Aidan’s chest when the Lady bristled and threw herself between him and her escort.
He and his men had spotted the small group from one of the hills. The opportunity had been too tempting not to act. So many of his people were suffering from the bad harvest — the Dhorn na hEireann needed every penny to support those in need.
Two women, two guards — it had seemed easy enough. And it had been. Padhraigh and Duncan had distracted the men. Aidan had easily gained on the women.
The smaller, curvier one had acted exactly as he’d anticipated. The taller woman, however? She had held herself on the horse exceptionally well, and now she stood there, eyes ablaze, face flushed, fists clenched, ready to throw a punch at him should he touch the other one again.
He couldn’t stop the smile stretching his mouth at the thought. She stood at least half a foot shorter than him, and yet she didn’t so much as flinch. Confusion flickered across her face at his teasing, but then her features set in cool rage. He almost laughed, but bit back the sound.
“You’re a criminal!” she accused.
He bowed elegantly. “I am,” he confirmed.
He had stopped expecting her to break down and beg for mercy. This woman was something else.
“So if you’d be so kind, little Lady, to hand over your jewelry and other valuables, nobody’s got to get hurt today,” he suggested.
Her face darkened. Accusation weighed heavily in her voice. “Whom are you trying to fool? My poor guards are probably lying in their blood at this moment.”
His intrigue deepened at that. A Sasunnach lady caring for the well-being of mere staff?
“We’re not murderers, little Lady. In contrast to you, we don’t kill for the mere amusement of it.”
The words came out sharper than he had intended. His chest tightened — he cared what she thought of him. He wanted the little Sasunnach Lady to understand. He shook his head, trying to shake the realisation off like a fly.
Her frown deepened, though she didn’t back away. Impatience tugged at his chest. He needed to get this over with and return. Every minute wasted with her was a minute of risk for his men and himself.
Acid dripped from her voice when she replied, “So you pretend my people do? Perhaps your people should stop killing mine in their sleep then. Helpless women and children. The deeds of those such as yourself are well known, Sir.”
His next words came out cold and mocking.
“You know we enjoy tender British children for lunch, and the mere sight of one of our warriors is enough to make grown soldiers cry?”
He watched her mouth open and cut her off roughly.
“Your valuables, little Lady. Stand and deliver.”
A dangerous grin curved his mouth.
“Lest you insist on finding out more about our barbaric ways.”
His eyes settled on her frame as she lifted her hands and began removing her jewelry. A necklace, a bracelet, and a couple of rings gathered in her small palms. She stretched out her arm in offering.
He let the items vanish into his pouch, his chin jerking toward the whimpering woman still on the ground.
“Hers as well,” he instructed.
The other woman’s hands shook as the Lady relieved her of more pieces. Her eyes blazed with rage when she handed over the loot.
His gaze trailed slowly down her frame, settling at her waist.
“Money,” he demanded.
She shook her head slowly. “I don’t have as much as a penny on me.”
She finally flinched when he took a step toward her.
“I don’t mind personally searching you, little Lady,” he offered, a lazy grin curling his mouth.
“I don’t carry anything more,” she hissed, her hands clenching into fists again.
Something in his chest softened at the sight. He was very aware she didn’t want him to see her tremble. Pride — familiar, in a very annoying way. She acted so brave it almost hurt.
Without further thought, he closed the distance between them, his hand lifting to her chin, catching it between gloved fingers.
For one heartbeat she held very still. Then he felt every muscle in her body begin to tense.
“You’re a liar, little Lady,” he told her, surprised at how soft his voice suddenly sounded.
Confusion flickered across her face. Casually, he tugged the glove from his free hand with his teeth and dropped it carelessly.
He reached up toward her face, the sudden motion causing her to flinch into the touch of his other hand. Realizing she was trapped, she froze, though her chin lifted in stubborn defiance.
Their eyes met, her blazing brown orbs searing into his. Her pupils dilated from the rush of adrenaline, the black so large it tried to swallow all colour.
Before Aidan could think better of it, he closed the distance and caught her lips in a kiss, his fingers skillfully relieving her of the earrings gleaming in her lobes.
Her breath exploded against his mouth in a startled gasp. He briefly inhaled her sweet, natural fragrance. For a fleeting moment her lips softened against his.
His mouth lingered a heartbeat too long. Distracted by his own distraction.
He felt her pulse race beneath his fingers, which had come to rest gently against the vulnerable curve of her throat.
Aidan was very aware of the flicker of it trembling against his hand. Of the spark humming underneath the touch.
She stiffened.
Two small hands pushed against his chest.
He withdrew.
His gaze caught hers just in time to see a flicker of something bright in the depths of her warm brown eyes. A hot flush rose to her cheeks.
With a careless grin, he lifted his hand, showing her the earrings.
His gaze lingered on her mouth a moment too long before he bowed again, backing away toward his horse.
His voice had dropped an entire octave at his farewell.
“I knew you were hiding the most valuable item still, Banbhean bheag Sasunnach.”
He mounted and raced from the forest without looking back.
----
Catherine’s heart raced as the stranger towered above her.
His amusement cut through the sharp fear rising in her chest, sparking irritation instead. His voice was surprisingly warm, even through the thick accent.
Bracing for an attack, she vowed not to show him any sign of fear — but to her surprise he seemed engaged with their banter. She heard the warning creep into his voice when she accused his people of murdering the helpless.
There had been a dangerous glitter in his eyes when he gently scorned her, and Catherine suddenly realized she wasn’t afraid of him any longer.
The way he had checked on Maisie, the way he defended his people against her accusations — he might be an outlaw, but she was certain he wouldn’t hurt her or Maisie.
When he held out his hand for her jewelry, she began plucking it from her body. She wasn’t attached to the gems — if it kept her and Maisie safe, she would gladly sacrifice them twice over.
His lazy grin made her fume, but she obeyed when his chin jerked toward Maisie. She knelt briefly and hugged the chaperone.
“He’ll kill us, M’Lady,” Maisie whispered, terror trembling in her voice.
Catherine pressed her palm gently to her cheek. “I’ll protect you,” she promised. “He won’t lay a finger on you.”
Maisie stilled.
Catherine rose and faced him again.
He sneered as he pocketed the necklaces and rings, demanding money. She shook her head and startled when he stepped closer.
Her pulse hammered loudly in her ears.
“I don’t carry anything more,” she insisted.
His upper lip lifted briefly. His voice turned treacherously soft when he called her a liar.
She meant to protest, but somehow lost her voice when he closed in.
Two fingers caught her chin.
The leather of his glove felt warm against her skin. A shudder rushed down her spine when his fingers trailed toward her ears.
She flinched, her cheek pressing against his steady hand when she realized her mistake.
The earrings.
She had simply forgotten them.
Shock rushed through her, cold fear coiling in her stomach.
His face was suddenly very close — close enough to see mirth sparkle in his dark green eyes. Small flecks of hazelnut danced around the black of his pupils.
And then his lips were on hers.
A warm, gentle pressure.
Her heart slammed against her ribs as his breath mingled with hers, a strange heat flaring between them.
For a moment she did not move. Something in the way his mouth touched hers changed. Softness where there had been pressure before. His fingers gently touched against her throat, the warmth radiating from them seeping into her skin.
Then awareness struck.
She pushed against his chest — and to her surprise he immediately stepped back.
She sucked in a ragged breath, her eyes blazing.
His voice was deep when he swung onto his horse, surprisingly elegant for a man his size.
“I knew you were hiding the most valuable item still.”
She grabbed a pine cone from the forest floor and flung it at him.
He was already gone.
The cone landed uselessly against the earth.
Catherine exhaled.
“M’Lady.”
Maisie’s trembling voice pulled her back to herself, and she hurried to kneel beside her once more, helping her carefully to her feet.