To Dream of a Highlander(33)

“May I?” He opened a hand.

Startled, it took her an instant to decipher what he wanted. She dropped the flower into his palm, marvelling at the sight of something so delicate against those large, blunt hands. His fingers brushed her hair aside first, sending a tremor of anticipation through her. His warm gaze lingered on her, trapping her. She willed her limbs to move, to shy away from him, but they remained stiff. Rough fingers slid the stem of the bloom behind her ear. He took a moment to adjust it. Catriona found herself aware of every slight touch and it made her tremble. Her breaths were loud and rasping in her ears.

“There,” he announced and stepped back. “Very pretty.”

“Thank ye,” she whispered.

She shook her head, heat burning at her cheeks under his intense look. No man had ever looked at her quite like that. While the looks she garnered normally ran from uncertainty to salaciousness, his bordered on… on indecent. And it made her body clench in an utterly unfamiliar way. She recalled the solid length of his arousal flattened against her and the way it made her feel. Two days had passed since then yet it excited her even now.

He broke the connection as Logan called his name from behind. He dipped his head and gave her a slanted grin. “If ye’ll excuse me, Katie. ‘Tis time for weapons practice and I must show these men how ‘tis done.”

His self-assurance made her chuckle. “As ye will. I shall pray yer confidence is not misplaced.”

“Ach, ye have seen me in action, lass, do ye doubt me?”

“Nay,” she admitted, “I dinnae doubt ye. Fight well, Finn, and dinnae be harmed.”

“Ye have my word, my lady.” With another dip, he left her but not before offering her a wink that made heat climb her chest.

Shaking her head at the confusing man, Catriona continued her stroll around the castle. The day was dry and sunny but it had rained overnight, leaving the ground muddy underfoot.

She followed the wall around the keep, tracing along the rough stone. Still no word from her father. How much longer would she have to wait? Many more days and Laird Gillean would have her as his wife. She shuddered. While she knew little of him, greed clearly drove him. A man who threatened war to gain a bride and wealth could not be a good one. While Katelyn might have been content to be used so, she could not bring herself to be. Mayhap Katelyn would have been happy in such a marriage, had her father even planned to go through with it. It was a stalling tactic, nothing more. As soon as he gained support from the king, the marriage contract would mean nothing. But still, Katelyn might have found happiness with someone as greedy and as driven as she.

Catriona had only ever wanted a man who cared for her. Not her wealth or her family name. Nor for her looks. But no man had ever revealed himself to be anything but driven by hunger. For beauty or wealth.

Aside from perhaps Finn. As much as she wanted to ignore it, she had a need of her own for that man. He proved vastly different to anyone she had ever encountered. Aye, he looked at her as if he might pounce upon her and bring her wild pleasure beyond her imaginings but he also treated her with respect, as if he valued her words and ideas.

Another yawn fought its way out and dread made her stomach cramp. She began to fear the evenings when she would be trapped in her chambers with only her thoughts. Why could she not focus on anything but the horrors of the siege? She fisted a hand. Her mother had taught her to make the best of each situation. Where was her dignity when the dreams made her fling herself about her room? Or when the thoughts became too much and crowded her mind, forcing her to run away?

She paused as a sound sent a shiver through her. The clanging of swords. Catriona was back in the cold passageway, pressed against the sharp stone, her heart beating in her ears as the Viking approached. She continued around the castle toward the sound and shook away the memory. Shoulders straight, she drew her chin up. She would conquer her fears.

The noise came from Finn and another man, duelling with swords. The use of real blades made her frown. Her hand went to her mouth when the blade of his opponent swiped so very close to Finn’s arm. So dangerous.

But she was also fascinated. He moved well—gracefully. She’d witnessed him fighting before but had been too consumed by fear to truly watch. A lot of men’s movements were usually powered by aggression but with Finn it was different. Each move appeared carefully considered and planned. Emotion did not rule his actions. She sighed. If only she could be the same.

He took down his opponent easily and the man offered up his palms in surrender with a grin. Another man stepped forward and so began another fight. Finn battled harder this time as his dark haired enemy was large. It did not surprise Katelyn when he forced the man’s sword out of his hand and urged him to his knees with a quick grin.