‘It is well. What of the injured?’
‘Making good progress, most of them.’
‘The Saxon youth?’
‘Still with us,’ said Dougal. ‘He’s a fighter, that’s for sure.’
‘Like sister like brother.’
‘The wench is spirited, I grant you, but she’s a headstrong troublesome little jade for all that. Did ye take your belt to her, ’twould be no more than her deserts.’
‘Dinna think I wasna tempted, but that same trouble some little jade saved my life two days since.’
Dougal stared at him. ‘Saved your life? How so?’
Iain furnished him with a brief account of what had happened during the robbers’ attack. The other heard him with mounting incredulity.
‘Well, I’m damned. With a sword, ye say?’
‘Aye, just so.’
The idea clearly appealed to the laird’s companion and he permitted himself a grudging smile. ‘A rare wench—for a Sassenach.’
‘That she is.’
‘Will she come with us to Glengarron?’
‘It depends.’
‘On what?’
‘The king’s will.’
‘You’ll discuss her case with Malcolm?’
‘Aye. The lass originally intended to go to Dunfermline. If the king wills it, she may yet.’
Even as he spoke, the thought jarred though he could not have said precisely why.
‘You’ll no sell her then?’ said Dougal.
‘No.’
‘Ach, well, whatever you say.’
Iain left his lieutenant a few minutes later and made his way back to the chamber where he had left Ashlynn. There were things they needed to discuss.
* * *
Ashlynn heard the knock and, having assumed it was the maid returning, bade the girl enter. It was a very different figure who stepped into the room. The sight brought her to her feet with a sharp intake of breath.
Iain checked abruptly, his smile fading as he stared at the figure standing by the hearth. Every vestige of boyish appearance was gone, to be replaced by a feminine vision that caused his heart to miss a beat. She was clad only in a thin linen sheet. It stopped short at breast and knee and, in between, the damp cloth had moulded itself to the curves of her body. Unbidden his imagination stripped it away and reminded him of what lay beneath, only mantled now with tawny hair that hung in a soft curling mass to her waist. Huge blue eyes met his.
‘My lord?’
She had never called him by that title before and it took him by surprise, not least because of the thoughts it engendered. Involuntarily he glanced at the bed across the room. Her lord? Hardly that, but, by God, if he were…Recollecting himself he cleared his throat and forced his thoughts back into line.
‘I beg your pardon, lass. I came to discuss something with you but it can wait awhile.’ He paused. ‘Do you have all you require for now?’
‘Thank you, yes.’
Ashlynn was aware that her face was glowing now with a lot more than the effects of soap and water; aware too of her present state of undress, and the disturbing nearness of the man. Nor could she fail to misinterpret the expression in the dark eyes. To her chagrin she saw him smile, a slow disconcerting smile that, though rare enough, did nothing to dispel her embarrassment. Clearly the rogue felt no such emotion. On the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying himself. With that realisation annoyance woke.
‘Are you going to stand there all day?’
‘It’s a tempting prospect, lass. You clean up rather well if I may say so.’
Ashlynn glared at him. His enjoyment grew. Under other circumstances he’d have seen that unspoken challenge well met. He indulged the fantasy another moment or two, and then reluctantly retraced his steps to the door. When he reached it he paused a moment on the threshold.
‘We dine in the hall with my men this evening. Until then, Ashlynn.’
With considerable relief she watched the door close behind him and then heard the sound of his retreating footsteps. With indignant haste she dressed again, heedless now whether her borrowed masculine attire smelled of horses or not. It occurred to her that it might be a good thing if it did. No man was likely to find that remotely attractive.
* * *
Iain made no mention of the incident when they met later, a fact for which she was grateful. However, when at length he had finished his meal and his cup was replenished, he leaned back in his chair and turned his attention towards her. Under that steady scrutiny the blood leapt in her veins.
‘We need to talk, lass.’
Recalling his earlier words she took a shrewd guess. ‘Business?’
‘Just so.’
‘Will yours keep you in Jedburgh long?’
‘No, another day only.’