“Aye, all is settled.”
With a nod, Logan retreated into the hall. Finn pitied him really. Finn knew no one more stubborn than his sister. He’d have a hard time convincing her of his love.
The word lingering in this mind—love—he faced Katelyn. Hands on her hips, chin set into a determined thrust, he braced himself for a scolding.
“What were ye doing? Have ye been fighting? One of the maids ran down and said Logan had ye pinned to the ground.” She sniffed as she approached. “Have ye been drinking?”
Finn grimaced. “Aye, just a wee drop.”
She froze and her gaze lingered on his mouth. Cursing inwardly, he put his hand to his lip. No doubt the sight of blood summoned many horrific memories. Hell, the sight of him acting like a barbarian did not likely help either.
Shoulders straight, she reached for his hand and drew it away. The tiniest flicker of uncertainty dashed across her face and he heard her suck in a breath. She touched his lip and he held back a wince.
“Let’s clean this up,” she ordered and snatched his hand.
Her small, cool fingers in his sent a tremor up his arm and he gulped. She dragged him down the stairs to the kitchen. It was empty save for one maid who excused herself upon seeing them. A few candles flickered on the side tables but everything had been cleared away for the night, apart from a pestle and mortar and a few leaves. Bunches of herbs hung from a metal rack above the table, scenting the air.
“What were ye doing in here, lass?”
Katelyn grinned and held up a pot. “Preparing a yarrow root salve.” She motioned to a stool and made him sit. Her smile dropped as she scooped some out with her finger and shuffled closer. “’Tis for scratches and… and bruises.”
The foggy haze from the wine dissipated a little and he furrowed his brow. “Ye have need of it?”
“I…” She licked her lips. “’Tis naught. Just a few wee scratches. It happens when I… ye know….”
“When ye have those dreams?”
“Aye.”
“Ye still suffer?”
“Sometimes. Though not as badly as before.” Katelyn’s mesmerising gaze latched onto his for the merest instant before dropping to his lips. “’Tis no matter.” She dabbed a dollop of the salve on his lips and its sweet fragrance teased him.
“It does matter, Katie.” He tried to focus on her face and not on the hint of rounded breasts that sat in his eye line, still encased in that deep purple. The balm stung but Katelyn’s beautiful figure made him forget it. He dragged his gaze up. “I dinnae like the thought of ye coming to harm.”
“Ach, a few scratches and bruises… ‘tis nothing to be concerned about.”
She drew her hand away from his lip and hooked a finger under his chin to inspect the damage. “Why were ye fighting, Finn?”
“Because I am a fool,” he offered with a tilted grin.
“Yer no fool.” Katelyn dropped her hand and backed away. “But ye are drunk. What did Logan do to anger ye?”
“He loves my sister.”
“And why does that anger ye?”
Finn laughed. “I told ye, I am a fool. I was a fool with ye and a fool with Logan.”
“Why were ye a fool with me?”
Curses, this would not do. He stood abruptly, making her stumble and he hooked an arm around her waist to prevent her from falling. She was soft and giving in his arms, even with plenty of space between them.
“Ye make it hard for me to be an honourable man,” he murmured.
He saw her throat work when she gulped and her hands slid up his arms. “Ye dinnae need to be honourable, Finn. I dinnae ask anything of ye. Ye…ye make me feel safe. Ye scared away the demons somehow. I think yer a very special man.”
“I cannae dishonour ye.” His voice came out tight while she continued to work her hands up and down his arms. His skin tingled wherever she touched.
Something clouded her eyes. Uncertainty mayhap? Fear? By God, he did not want her scared. He tugged her near, remembering how his body seemed to soothe her. The look—that haunted, troubled one—dissolved, leaving expectant breaths and eyes that darkened with need. Katelyn lifted her chin and clutched his neck, pressing her hands underneath his hair. He used his free hand to clasp her close, splaying it over the curve of her rear.
They shared several breaths as she raised herself up and he savoured them. When was the last time he’d enjoyed simply holding a woman. He couldn’t remember. With Alice mayhap? Nay, not even then. Before he could think further, he closed the gap and his body came instantly alive at the feeling of velvety lips beneath his.