Chapter 5

5

D avid studied the sleeping young woman in his arms, glad that she was finally resting. What a nightmare she'd been through! She was enchanting in a very Scottish way. He remembered how he'd ended his letter to Ian, telling him to keep an eye out someone who might suit David as a wife.

It was absurd to think that he'd found the right woman when they'd only met the day before, yet his soldier's intuition, which had saved his life more than once, was saying This one! He was more intensely attracted to Caitlin, to her strength, her courage, her beauty, than any other woman he'd ever met.

The idea seemed absurd, until he remembered that his sister Juliet and her Ross married almost immediately, and Ian had proposed to Laura within days of their first meeting. Perhaps love at first sight was the Cameron way.

David was usually less impulsive than his siblings, but just now he was feeling very impulsive. He reminded himself that Caitlin needed to recover after all she'd been through, so he must control that impulsiveness and wait to see what developed between them.

He carefully stood, holding her in his arms. It was only a few steps to the adjoining bedroom which probably was meant for the cook or the housekeeper. The bed was ruffled up, so he gently laid her down and pulled the covers over her. In the dim light, he studied her face which had relaxed into peacefulness. When he'd looked his fill, he allowed himself a light kiss on Caitlin's forehead as he whispered, "Sleep well, my lady. You're safe now."

Her eyes fluttered open and she stared up at him, their gazes locking as emotion pulsed between them. Not breaking that gaze, she slowly lifted her hands to his head and pulled him down into a kiss. She was warm and lovely and compelling.

Her lips parted under his and with breathtaking suddenness, sweetness flared into passion. She pulled him down onto the bed with her and he wondered dizzily if it was possible to feel himself literally falling in love.

Struggling to be sensible, he whispered, "Caitlin, this isn't wise!"

"But it feels so very right." She slipped her arms around him and drew him against her for another scorching kiss. Their bodies strained against each other, yearning to unite despite the barriers of clothing and blankets.

It was a madness David never wanted to end, but when he found himself dragging the covers down, he realized how close they were to taking an irrevocable step. He wrenched himself away and swung around to sit on the edge of the bed as he buried his head in his hands, panting.

Caitlin reached for him. "Come back here, please!"

He caught her hand, stilling her movement. In the dim light of the fire, she was enchanting, her hair a bright tangle, and her expression yearning and vulnerable. "I think we need to slow down, lass," he forced himself to say. "I'd already decided that once your life is sorted out and safe, I'll ask permission to court you. But after all you've been through, this seems too soon. I don’t want you to lie with me, then regret it."

She glared at him for a moment before tugging her hand away, her expression rueful. "Very well. You did say you were the practical sort. That's a decidedly mixed blessing!"

"I know," he said solemnly. "It's one of my most annoying traits."

"Yes, but you're not wrong. It is too soon." Her expression turned thoughtful. "You crossed the border into Scotland on the way up from the George Inn. Since we're in Scotland, we could do a handfasting and lie together legally."

For a moment he caught his breath, entranced by the thought of being married to Caitlin. Then sanity returned and he shook his head ruefully. "You're a hard woman to win an argument with! This isn't about legality or lack thereof, Caitlin. It's because you've just escaped from captivity and the threat of death, and I'm telling myself that I can't possibly be falling in love with the very first Scottish woman I've met since returning home."

She caught her breath, startled by his words. "That does sound rather…hasty. But appealing!" Her gaze held his before she said shyly, "It might be too soon to become lovers, but will you share my bed tonight? For warmth and companionship, nothing more."

The idea was dangerous but irresistible. "I'd love to hold you all night and hope we're both too tired to lose all sense."

"The unexpected benefit of exhaustion," Caitlin said with a wry smile. "Please join me, Captain, for a very proper night."

"It will be my very great pleasure," he said formally.

He stood and stripped off his outer garments and laid them over a chair, then added more coals to the bedroom fire so it would burn all night. Behind him he heard the rustling sounds of Caitlin changing from her male daytime clothing into nightwear.

After hearing her slide into the bed again, he turned and climbed into the opposite side so he could draw her into his arms. She gave a soft, contented sigh as she settled against him. They fit together as they had been designed to be perfect mates. "Sleep well, lass," he whispered.

"And the same to you, my captain." She wriggled closer before releasing her breath in a long, contented sigh.

Together, they slept.

Caitlin woke slowly, warm and comfortable, only gradually realizing that she was sharing the bed with something large and warm. Not something, but someone!

The thought jerked her awake like a bucket of ice water as memories rushed through her. Uncle James was gone. The vile Dawsons. Drugs and chains and the threat of death. Now she was home and sharing a bed with an army officer she'd only just met.

A very handsome and rather irresistible army officer. She opened her eyes and contemplated Captain Cameron for a few pleasurable moments. Her intuition told her that he was as strong, kind, and honorable as he seemed to be. Good husband material, in fact. Though it was surely too soon to be thinking of such a thing, they'd both been thinking exactly that.

He'd risked his life in case she needed to be rescued from freezing to death. She'd rewarded his efforts by aiming a rifle at him, then collapsed sobbing into his arms. After which she'd boldly asked him to join her in bed.

Bold she might have been, but that had actually been one of her better ideas. She couldn't remember when she'd had a more restful night's sleep. She liked that David hadn't taken the opportunity to grope her. Unlike Dawson, the swine. Her horrible cousin had stopped trying after she'd kicked him where a man least wanted to be kicked.

Reluctantly she slid from the bed, her feet landing on the rag rug that offered protection from the icy floor. The room was bitingly cold, but she'd been splendidly warmed through the night.

David shifted and his eyes opened. He gave her a smile of pure pleasure as his gaze slid from her tangled hair to her bare feet with a thoroughness that made her blush. "What a lovely sight to start the day!"

He swung from the bed and stood, giving a leonine stretch. Until now he'd worn bulky winter clothes, so the sight of him in a loose shirt and drawers revealed how very fit and appealing his body was. Wide shoulders, lean muscles, and the grace of absolute physical mastery.

While she was admiring him, he circled the bed and drew her into a warm and very thorough hug. The embrace dissolved any potential awkwardness. Though passion was only a hair's breadth away, this friendly hug was a perfect way to start this day.

After several long pleasurable moments, he stepped away. "Time to stop before temptation overcomes good judgment!" he said with a wry smile.

The room was suddenly too cool. She drew a deep breath, then managed to say mildly, "I'm guessing that for you, good judgment usually wins over temptation."

"Usually. Not always." His gaze traveled down her in a way that made her heavy flannel nightgown feel transparent. That look from a different man would have embarrassed or offended her. Coming from David, it made her want to purr.

He collected his garments and boots from the chair where he'd left them. "I'll get dressed in the kitchen and build up the fire. Then I'll go out and tend to the horses."

"Would you like porridge for breakfast?" she asked. "And tea, of course. I can also heat some shaving water if you'd like."

"I would love some proper Scottish porridge! It was available in India, but not at all appealing in that heat." He ran a hand over his bristly jaw. "Shaving is also a fine idea. After I see to the horses."

She liked how he'd gently arranged a smooth start to their morning that allowed them each privacy. After he collected his clothing and moved into the kitchen, she donned her warmest garments, then finger combed her hair before plaiting it into a simple braid.

By the time he returned to the kitchen, the porridge was cooked and water was simmering for the tea. His heavy coat was open and his wool scarf lay loose on his shoulders. "The storm has mostly blown itself out and the temperature is rising. The roads should be passable fairly soon."

As she served the porridge and tea, she said, her gaze down, "And you'll be off then."

It was a statement, not a question, but he shook his head. "I won't leave until your situation is secure. Do you think the Dawsons will come after you?"

She sighed. "I wish I believed that they'd given up, but I don't. Braewood is too rich a prize for them to surrender easily."

David frowned. "I did sense that from them. What do you think they'll do?"

She ate several spoonfuls of porridge while she considered. "My best guess is that they'll get the highest official they can find to support their claim to be my guardians, then they'll come up here with documents saying that I'm mad and must be captured and drugged for my own good."

David looked thoughtful. "Wouldn't there be a question of jurisdiction? The Dawsons are English while you and your property are in Scotland."

"They might not have any legal authority, but if they come, they'll have plenty of documents and bluster to make their case." She waved her hand to indicate Braewood. "This is a substantial property and there's a fair amount of money as well, all of it left to me. The Dawsons want it all and have convinced themselves that they're entitled to claim it because I'm 'a weak female who is incapable of running an estate like this,' " Her voice dripped with scorn.

"If they're brandishing the law," David said coolly, "brandish the law right back at them. You're a substantial land owner and women have always had more rights in Scotland than in England. I imagine you know the relevant authorities in this part of Scotland?"

She thought a moment. "Some of them, and I can find the names of others. My uncle was well known and respected. I'm sure his friends would stand by me."

"What if the Dawsons come with force as well as legal documents?"

"They'll have a hard time getting me out of this house!" Caitlin said. "The walls are solid stone and I'm well supplied with weapons and ammunition."

David frowned. "I hope this doesn’t come to a pitched battle. That could go badly wrong."

"I'm sure you know more about such things than any sane person would want to know," she replied. "I don't want a pitched battle, either. But if they try to take me by force, they'll regret it!"

David gave her a slow smile. "If my brother Ian can hold off an Afghan army, you and I can vanquish a pair of criminals and their hired thugs."

His words sent a warm glow through her. "You're assuming I'm a good shot."

"Having seen how you hold a rifle, I know you are. And as I said, you remind me of my formidable sister Juliet."

Thinking of all he'd said about his family, she said, "I think I should be flattered, but your Clan Cameron sounds rather alarming!"

"They're actually quite pleasant and only alarming when facing danger," he assured her.

Caitlin wondered what David was like when facing danger. Quietly formidable, she was sure.

She was about to pour more tea when hard knocking sounded on the kitchen door. Could the Dawsons be here so soon?

There was only one way to find out. Grimly she rose to her feet and headed toward the kitchen door.