Chapter 11
Darkness blanketed the sky and stars sparkled as smoke rose from the campfire. Jean sat on a fallen log as the weight of what she’d done pressed down against her. This was the first time she’d traveled anywhere without her family. Closing the cloak tighter around her, she tried not to look nervous.
Her father’s guards would never do anything to hurt her, but they were still men, and, like all other men, they continued to look at her.
As a woman.
“Smile, Ian,” she teased the guard sitting closest to her. “I promise it won’t be like the time I was eight and snuck away from the keep. I have every intention of behaving myself.”
Ian just glared at her. “Ye are right. ‘Tis not like ye are eight, because back then ye didnae know any better. Now, ye do.”
“Ye are right. At eight, I didnae know any better. At eight, I simply wanted an adventure. Now, I know that I can help. I have already helped. I do know better.”
“Yer father…”
“I am an adult, Ian. I dinnae need my father’s permission for anything in my life.”
“I disagree. He isnae just yer father. He is also yer laird.”
Leaves crunched as Liam joined them. “That is enough, Ian,” Liam said quietly. “Ye should retire for the evening. I will take first watch.”
Ian looked like he wanted to argue more, but Connor had told him to listen to Liam. After glancing at her one last time, Ian stood and walked away stiffly. “I dinnae need ye to fight my battles, Liam.”
Sitting next to her on the log, he sighed.
“I dinnae need to tell ye that a group of warriors needs to be focused. They need to be a single unit. They need to respect each other. Right now, that focus is split. Half of these men are yer father’s men, and yer safety is their primary focus.
They dinnae see ye as someone who will help.
They see ye as someone who will distract them, and they arenae wrong. ”
“How am I a distraction?” She demanded.
“Lower yer voice, Jean. Unless ye want everyone to hear this conversation.”
“According to ye, they all think the same, so ‘tis no different if they hear me or not,” she grumbled but lowered her voice. “It doesnae matter. I already know what ye are going to say. I am a distraction because I am a woman.”
“Aye. An adult woman without a proper companion.” Liam sighed.
“This is complicated, Jean. You arenae a child anymore, and ye need to understand the real dangers that might befall ye. Simply because ye are wearing pants does nae meant that anyone will be fooled. Had someone found ye on the road just now, ye might have been?—”
“I know what could have happened to me,” Jean snapped as she stood. “Believe me, I know. If ye can excuse me, I am going to retire for the night.”
Angrier than she wanted to admit, she headed to her horse.
Putting a hand on the mare’s neck, she closed her eyes and tried to relax.
Liam wasn’t trying to hurt her. He had a lot on his shoulders, and while she knew that she could help, she also knew how much trouble her presence caused.
Here, he was in charge. He was responsible for everyone, and that included her.
With that in mind, she felt a little calmer and unpacked her bedroll.
She always slept near her mother and father when they traveled, but she knew that tonight, it was best if she slept alone.
She wasn’t alarmed. Yes, there were several things in the woods that could be dangerous, but there would be someone to keep watch.
It was the odd feeling of loneliness that she’d never experienced before. Everyone here thought she was being thoughtless, even Liam which hurt more than she wanted to admit. It isolated her even more. Until then, she hadn’t realized how much she relied on the comfort of her family.
But this was part of the mission. This was what was required of her. To be a warrior, to be helpful, she would have to extend herself out of her comfort zone.
She would prove to everyone that she wasn’t a child, and she would help in ways that this group of warriors couldn’t even imagine.
She had picked a remote spot close enough to the dying fire and the watchful eye of the guard. As she started to settle, a heavy blanket fell on her, and Liam unrolled his own mat, putting himself between her and the rest of the men.
“I have a blanket.”
“Ye will be shivering in an hour with that blanket,” he grunted. “‘Tis alright. I have an extra. Close yer eyes and get some sleep, Jean. Sunrise will arrive sooner than ye might wish.”
He was keeping first watch. She watched as he abandoned his bedroll and sat on a log near the fire, his gaze meeting hers in the darkness.
Would he get any sleep tonight?
Would he trust anyone else with her safety?
She hadn’t underestimated this trip. She knew how difficult it might be, but Liam? She may have underestimated him. Guilt settled in her chest, but she ignored it. He wanted her to stop thinking like a child. Perhaps he needed to stop thinking of her as one as well.
The next morning, everyone rose with the sun.
The warmth of the blanket cocooned her, but she didn’t let it lull her back to sleep. Instead, she rose and searched immediately for Liam. His green gaze met hers, and she felt a little relief at seeing that he looked a little rested.
Excusing herself, she walked a little deeper in the woods to finish her business. When she returned, someone thrust a pitcher into her hand with a grunt to gather some fresh water. She’d already spotted a stream ahead, but when she turned, someone else fell into step next to her.
Liam.
One of the members of the territory who had traveled with them cleared their throat. “Does she need a guardian? I heard she was a warrior.”
Hesitant laughter followed in his wake.
She could feel him tense as he whirled around, and she put a hand on his arm. “They arenae wrong, Liam. I am here to help, not to be a burden. I saw a creek when I was tending to myself. I willnae be gone long.”
“I am not abandoning my duties by going with ye.”
“No, but ye wouldnae follow one of yer men. Ye dinnae need to follow me either. Please. Ye didnae follow me when I went to relieve myself, did ye?”
“To say such a thing to me,” he growled. “Jean, ye are a…”
“Dinnae say a lady, please, or I will think my mother followed me instead of ye.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “I will be within shouting distance. Stay here, Liam, or ye will be defending me this whole trip.”
As he balled up his fist, his frustration was evident, but he didn’t follow her as she went to get water. Kneeling down by the stream, she splashed some water on her face and then dipped the pitcher in. As she listened to the sound of the water, she noted the absence of another sound.
Birds.
Stilling, she heard the barest crunch of leaves behind her. Whipping her dagger out, she spun and braced one hand on the ground. A man towered over her but stilled as the point of her blade rested between his legs.
“Forgive me,” the man said roughly. “Liam asked me to keep an eye on you.”
Of course he did. “Did that include sneaking up on me when I am vulnerable?” She asked coolly.
“Nay.” He smiled a little. “‘Tis possible that I was testing ye. Excellent reflexes. Do ye mind putting the blade away?”
“Do ye mind stepping back?”
He did just that. Jean kept an eye on him, her dagger still pointed his way until her pitcher was full. Then she stood and handed it to him. “Ye can carry that back for me while we walk. Are ye one of the Armstrong guards?”
“Aye. Liam has made it clear that no one is to touch ye, but we are all curious about ye. The Sinclair guards have some hair-raising stories to tell about ye. My name is Andrew.”
“I don’t suppose ‘tis necessary for me to give ye my name.”
He laughed at that. “The way ye spotted that mud river last night, ‘twas truly something else. My little brother drowned in one of those when we were lads. Since then, I have always kept an eye out, but even I didnae see that one.”
“They are easier to spot when there is a current, like the section that was in the woods. I am sorry about yer brother.”
“It was a long time ago.” He hesitated. “I would appreciate it if ye wouldnae tell Liam that I tried to sneak up on ye. He will make me ride last, and ‘tis a lonely journey in the back.”
“I will consider ye carrying the pitcher back as adequate punishment,” she said after some consideration and gave him a mischievous smile. “And ye can ride with me for the bulk of today’s journey.”
His eyes widened at that, but a big grin split his face. “That is certainly one way to make the journey faster. It would be my pleasure, Lady Sinclair.”
“Call me Jean.”