Finn frowned, perturbed by his defensive tone. Lorna was capable of looking after herself, a trait Finn took great pride in. As a brother—and the only male in their direct line—he had a duty to the women in his family. But he took little enjoyment in having a woman dependent on him, even a beloved sister. Women were too fragile and vulnerable. Too easily harmed. It pleased him that Lorna did not depend on him for her safety. That way, he could never fail her like he had Alice.
“Gather some wood and light a fire,” he ordered, unwilling to dwell on the subject any longer. Logan huffed and went off in search of firewood as the other men dropped their bags wearily and began making camp.
The crossing had drained them all—rowing against the tide took some strength—so he decided to take first watch. Mayhap it was because he’d been carrying Katelyn or perhaps the thrill of battle still flowed in his blood, because his body remained tense, his senses alert. Ach, how had he ended up doing the one thing he hated—looking after a vulnerable woman? He would far rather be at the MacRae keep in Glencolum with his kin.
He studied the lady and kneeled. Gingerly placing her down, he held his breath as he waited for her to stir. But her breaths came slowly and her eyes remained shut. The exertions of the day had certainly taken their toll. She had appeared fully alert when she’d awoken so he did not think her head injury had caused any permanent damage but it would be an idea to wake her soon to be sure.
Sitting, he rested an arm upon one knee and watched Logan put a flint to the fire. The fire grew quickly, bathing their small camp in a warm glow. Aye, he missed home. Missed his small cottage and simple life. He had been gone just over a sennight but he hungered for his own bed and the company of the good men around his cousin’s table. Of course, once Morgann married, life at Glencolum had changed. His duties lessened now Morgann had Alana at his side. In truth, as happy as he was for Morgann, it gave him too much time.
Time to ponder the emptiness of his small cottage. Time to watch their love. Time to wonder… Ach, what was he thinking? He turned his gaze to Katelyn in a search for distraction. While the fire hissed and popped, she slept on. For some reason, he longed to know how she looked without bruises marring her face. Did her features match her body? Delicate in places, yet lush in others. Her lips were full. With a golden glow painting them, they were a tempting sight to be sure. What colour were they in the full light of day? The dim shadows of the keep and the growing dusk had disguised her, piquing his curiosity. But her secrets were not intended for him. Once he took her to Kilcree there would be no reason for him to stay. Another man lay in her future and he would be the one to discover her secrets, to relish in the beauty Finn suspected sat beneath the swollen cheek and puffy eyes.
“I will take first watch,” he told Logan as he handed out chunks of bread.
Finn picked at the coarse bread, hard from their travels. His appetite evaded him but he ate regardless. Katelyn’s appearance was testament to the Norse warriors’ brutality. He needed his strength. He flexed his fingers and fought the urge to trace the marks on her face. How he longed to run them all through. Even killing her aggressor had done little to assuage his desire for revenge. What kind of men attacked an innocent woman? Unfortunately Finn had seen enough warfare to know it was not uncommon. The years leading up to Alana and Morgann’s marriage had been riddled with strife. Bloodshed did strange things to men.
A small sound emanated from Katelyn and he swallowed when he noticed her shuddering movements. Ach, even with the warmth of the fire and the thick furs, they were not enough to protect her from the elements. A noble woman like her had likely never spent a night outside whereas he’d spent too many. Warriors such as himself barely felt the cold and slept with ease. He also awoke with ease too. Not many would have picked up on the sounds Katelyn made, but his ears were attuned to her every noise. Being so aware of her made his stomach churn.
Duty. It was only duty. Something he’d done his best to avoid. Nevertheless, letting Lorna down was not an option. With a sinking heart, he finished the rest of his bread and slid down next to Katelyn. Carefully, and trying not to disturb the pelt, he slipped an arm underneath her head. His movements slow, he tugged her into him and wrapped his other arm around her. Finn did not worry that he might fall asleep in this position. Indeed his mind blazed with awareness. What caused that, he did not wish to think on.
Katelyn mumbled, her eyelids fluttered and she burrowed her head further into his chest. The woman must have been particularly chilled. He’d never met a noble woman so fearless. Even Alana with her feisty temperament, or Lorna with her bold tongue, would not have tolerated being held by a strange man while wearing no more than a fur. Was it too soon to admire her for her practical nature? The lass had barely said two words yet after her initial fear she accepted his help with great dignity. Many of the lasses he knew might have chosen to freeze to death instead.