Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

S ilence descended between them again for a while. They broke their journey for something to eat and to let the horses drink by a burn. Then they carried on, but after another hour of riding, the sky filled with dark clouds, and it began to rain hard.

"Come on, let's pick up the pace," Tadhg shouted over the sound of the rain. "I can see some rocks ahead. We should look fer a cave tae shelter in."

They speeded up, which Alana was sure made them even wetter. The driving rain was already starting to soak her hair and face. She was grateful when, within a few minutes, they reached the rocky outcrop. It rose up before them like a stone chimney, and on the ground, it was covered with gorse and scrub.

"I cannae see anythin' like a cave," she said, squinting through the rain as she

scanned the foliage.

"Wait a minute, I think I may see somethin'." Tadhg dismounted and headed for a specific spot among the overgrown bushes. With his leather riding gloves protecting him from the thorny gorse branches, he began searching tentatively through the greenery, evidently having spotted something she could not see.

"Here!" he called to her, beckoning her with his arm. She got down from her horse and led it up to where he was standing. She noticed he was smiling despite the water soaking his hair, running down his face, and turning the shoulders of his jerkin dark.

"Look." He held the foliage aside, and she saw why he was so excited. There were three or four dark entrances leading into the rock. "We'll have our pick of the most comfortable accommodation," he added jokingly.

"Aye, I have tae admire yer scoutin' skills. Honestly, I'll just be happy tae get out of this rain and tae dry off a bit," Alana said, shivering as rain ran down her neck.

"Aye, me too. Now, if I make this gap a wee bit wider, can ye lead the horses through? There's an overhang here large enough to shelter them as well and a bit of grass fer them tae feed on. 'Tis perfect."

"Aye, of course. The poor things, they're soaked too," Alana responded. She grasped the halter of her mare, while Tadhg used his feet and arms to bend aside the bushes and hold them apart far enough for her to bring the beasts through. She led her mare through first and then went back to fetch Tadhg's stallion.

"We've been lucky tae find this place. We should be well hidden in here, and the horses too," he said, finally allowing the bushes to spring back once they were all inside. "As long as we keep our heads down, then naebody should ken we're even here. Let's get the horses settled and go and see if we can find a cave big enough for us tae rest in out of the rain."

"Ye said ye'd nae let me get wet," she pretended to chide him, following as he led the horses under the rocky overhang, which protected them like a canopy from the elements.

"Aye, I'm sorry about that," Tadhg replied, securing the horses and then untying the saddlebags and bedrolls. He took off the saddles as well and moved them to a flat rock nearby to dry. "Ye were right, I couldnae control when the rain would come. But I think I can promise tae get ye dried off and warm again."

"And how d'ye propose doin' that?" she asked, giving him a sharp look. "I hope ye're nae gettin' any funny ideas about cuddlin' up tae get warm."

"I was nae thinkin' anythin' of the sort," he told her with an expression of injured surprise. "I merely meant that if we can find enough dry wood, I can light a fire fer us tae dry our things. We can even make some tea and put a wee dram in it tae warm up. Then, we'll be nice and snug, just like I told ye."

"That's all right then. I'll help find some wood," Alana replied, relieved to hear it and looking forward to drying off. The damp was permeating her clothing, and she was starting to feel chilly.

They left the horses and, with Tadhg lugging their belongings, started along the little space between the bushes and the rockface, intending to explore the cave entrances. They had hardly gone a few paces when they both stopped dead and stared at each other. Above the hissing of the driving rain, the sound of thudding hooves and the jingle of harnesses was clearly audible.

"Riders comin'," Tadgh whispered urgently, dropping his burden and pulling Alana into a crouch at this side. "They could mean us harm. Come on, we need tae find some place tae hide."

"But why? D'ye think they'll see us from out there if we keep low?" she asked, her heart pounding as the hoofbeats grew louder. Men's voices could now be heard too.

"Nae, but if they ken these caves, then they'll likely want tae shelter here themselves. They could be thieves or brigands, or they could be part of the clan Blaine thinks may have kidnapped yer faither. Either way, I dinnae want tae take the risk of findin' out."

"All right," she whispered back, his words sending cold fear through her.

"Quick, in here." He took hold of her arm and pushed her into the nearest opening in the rockface. It turned out to be a very small cave, high enough for her to stand up in but very narrow and only a few feet deep.

"Dammit!" Tadhg hissed under his breath as he crammed himself inside after her. Being much taller than Alana, he had to stoop, and in doing so, he could not help but squash her up against the far wall. They ended up with their bodies pressed together in the small space, their faces barely an inch apart, eyes locked.

"I hope tae God they dinnae decide tae come explorin'," Tadhg added, his warm breath tickling her cheeks as he spoke, making her skin tingle. "Listen. I think they're outside."

Alana's heart was hammering in her chest, partly with fear of discovery, partly due to being crushed against Tadhg's warm powerful body, with his lips hardly a hairsbreadth away from hers. For, despite the men outside, the close quarters and the silence inside the cave only amplified the pull she felt towards him. Her heart continued to pound as his eyes bored into hers. Suddenly, he placed a finger on her lips and whispered, "Dinnae make a sound."

She obeyed, pinned by the dark intensity of his gaze. She was shocked by her reaction when instead of removing his finger, he used the tip to slowly and delicately trace the outline of her lips before dropping his hand. The gentle caress sent a wave of heat rushing through her, and she could not explain to herself why she did not move or try to stop him. It was confounding that he could have such an effect on her with potential danger, possibly even death, so close at hand.

The long minutes while they waited, crushed together, to see what the riders would do felt like the passing of eons to Alana. Her lips were tingling from Tadhg's touch, which had lit a flame within her. It was all she could do not to lean forward a little and just kiss him, like she used to. After all, she told herself, it may be the last chance I get if these men find us and wish us harm.

Her eyes fell to his mouth, and she was on the verge of actually doing it when they heard a loud cry from outside and then, to her relief, the sound of horses leaving above the persistent hissing of the rain.

"I think they're goin'" Tadhg said, his body relaxing against hers. With the threat having passed, she was suddenly anxious about what might happen if she did not put distance between them, she pushed against his chest.

"Ach, let me out of here, I'm suffocatin'" she said, not untruthfully.

"All right, all right, let me get out first," he told her, gradually managing to extricate himself. Finally, she stumbled out of the cave, feeling very flustered but at the same time relieved that they were out of danger. "It seems the Wee Man is smilin' on us, eh?" he added as he helped her steady herself.

"Aye, that was lucky indeed," she agreed, glad of the assistance, for she felt quite wobbly. "Can we find somewhere tae rest now?"

"Let's go and explore the other caves. Hopefully, there'll be a bigger one where we can set up camp."

Tadhg picked up the saddlebags and bedrolls from where he had dropped them, and they continued along the rockface, looking for a place to spend the night.

"Ah, this is more like it," Tadhg said when they came to the third entrance, which was rather small, and he stooped to get inside. Alana had to mind her head as she followed him in. Once inside, they could both stand up with ease, and when she looked around her, she was pleasantly surprised by the size of the cave.

"Why, 'tis much bigger than it looks on the outside," she observed, feeling more cheerful as she peered around the large space in the dim light. "'Tis almost magical. D'ye think there could be trolls livin' here?" she asked playfully.

"Trolls?" he said, laughing. "I'm nae sure about that, but ye never ken." He

unrolled the bedrolls before coming over to drape a blanket around her shoulders. She shivered and hugged it to her gratefully, touched by his thoughtfulness. "If there are, they may be hungry, so I suggest ye stay close tae me and dinnae go pokin' around too much."

"I have nae intention of pokin' anythin'," she told him. "I'm just glad 'tis dry

in here."

"Aye, help me tae find some dry wood, and I'll make a fire," he said, going out again. She went to help him, and together they gathered as many dry fallen pinecones and gorse branches as they could. Then, they went back inside and, using his tinder box to light it, made a small fire close to the entrance so the cave would not fill with smoke.

"We should try and dry our clothes off," she said, peeling off her damp cloak

and scarf and hanging them on a spar of rock near to the fire. Luckily, her feet were not wet, but her hair was soaking. She wrung it out as best she could and spread it across her shoulders, hoping it would gradually dry.

"Give me yer coat," she said, beckoning for Tadhg to hand over his buff jerkin, which was dark with moisture. "I'll hang it up too." He unlaced his coat and handed it to her. She inspected it. "'Tis only wet on the outside," she added, putting it with the rest before sitting down by the fire.

Just as he had promised he would, Tadhg made some tea and put a dram or two into it. The whisky was immediately reviving, its warm tendrils snaking through her veins comfortingly. After they finished eating, they sat across from each other quietly, drinking the fortified tea and letting the whisky do its good work.

"Alana, I think this wee trip could prove more dangerous than I first thought," Tadhg suddenly said, looking over at her. "I think ye'd best have a weapon on ye, just in case we get separated, and ye have tae defend yersel'." He pulled his dirk from his belt and handed it to her. "I want ye tae take this and keep it about yer person."

Though she found his concern for her heartwarming, Alana shook her head.

"'Tis a nice thought, but I have nae idea how tae use it," she confessed, not even bothering to take the weapon.

"All right, I'll teach ye," he replied decisively, withdrawing the knife.

"When?"

"Nay time like the present."

"Ye cannae teach me how tae fight with a knife just like that!" she said in disbelief.

"Of course I cannae, but I can show ye a few good moves tae defend yersel'. If anythin' happens, at least ye'll nae be helpless. Ye'll be able tae fight back and dae some damage maybe, tae give yersel' a chance tae run," he explained earnestly.

"All right," she agreed, still a little dubious but nevertheless moved by his obvious concern for her welfare.

Tadhg stood up and went to the entrance. "The rain has stopped," he said, "Let's go practice outside where there's more room."

Feeling slightly nervous, Alana followed him out, to a flat area beyond the bushes. The rain had indeed stopped, and the sun was peeping out from behind the clouds. Everything looked fresh and alive, but Alana was not convinced it would last because the air still felt heavy with moisture.

"These will dae as makeshift blades fer practicin'," Tadhg said, picking up two suitable sticks from the ground and handing her one.

"Thanks," she replied, looking askance at the stick. "This is embarrassin'. Is

this nae what they give a bairn when 'tis learnin' tae fight, a wee wooden dagger?"

"Aye, but 'tis exactly what ye are right now, a bairn. But ye'll soon get the hang of it. Come on, I'll show ye how tae stand properly."

"Ow!" Alana cried a few minutes later as Tadhg knocked the makeshift dagger from her hand again, once more sending it clattering to the ground. "Och, I'll never be able tae dae it," she complained, nursing her wrist.

"Yes, ye will," Tadhg assured her patiently, collecting the stick and putting it back in her hand. He then took her by the shoulders and repositioned her opposite him. "Ye just need tae learn, like everybody else. Patience, perseverance, and hard work is all that's needed here. Now, pay attention. Soft knees, slightly bent is what ye need. Where are yer knees? I cannae see anything under yer skirts," he complained, starting towards her as though he was about to locate them himself.

"Maybe ye should try fighting wearing a dress. 'Tis nae easy!" she said, hurriedly stepping backwards to cut him off, worried what might happen if he got his hand under her skirts. She glimpsed disappointment on his face when he halted and returned to his spot and felt a hot stab of desire within her. Pushing it down, she obediently softened her knees and stood with her legs a few feet apart, balancing on the balls of her feet as instructed.

"That's very good, but I think the skirts are the problem. Can ye nae kilt them up and tuck them in at the waist?" Tadhg suggested, looking at her critically.

"Aye," she said, doing as he asked but adding, "So, every time I fight, I have to ask me opponent to hang on while I adjust me skirts?" She noticed how his eyes flickered to her legs, the lower parts of which were now revealed, before coming back to meet her eyes. A small bubble of excitement popped inside her that she tried her best to ignore.

"Only if ye have time, of course," Tadhg replied. "If ye ken ye'll have tae defend yerself, ye'll likely have time tae dae it. That way, ye'll have nae fear of tripping over them. That could be fatal."

The last words put a fire in her to succeed. "Right, I'm in me fighting stance now," she told him, bouncing lightly from one foot to the other and holding her wooden blade before her, feeling fierce.

"Nae, dinnae hold it like that," he grumbled. "Have I nae told ye tae keep it horizontal, nae upright? That way, yer blade can go in any direction needed with the flick of yer wrist."

He came and stood behind her, his length pressed against her, putting his arms beneath hers to reposition the "knife" in her hand. The sensation was so heady, her breath hitched, and goosebumps burst out all over her skin. It took a supreme effort of will to resist the urge to lean back into him and just let go. She was almost vibrating with excited anticipation as she imagined what might happen if she did.