Betrothed by Marti Talbott

Author:Marti Talbott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Scotland, Young Adult, family saga, medieval, series, laird
Publisher: MT Creations
Published: 2013-05-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER IX

THERE WAS NOTHING TO do but sit and think, and Deora was tired of doing that. Justin moved them a little higher up the hill and now at least she could see the land below. What she would give to take a long walk. Occasionally, one of the men came to give a report to Justin, but from what she could gather, they still did not know where the Swintons were, which meant it was too dangerous to travel. She was becoming increasingly uneasy and Justin often watched her, which did not help. At first, she supposed it was for her safety, yet he could see to her safety without looking directly at her constantly.

Justin was just as bored, all the men were. They heard nothing, saw no one and he seriously considered leaving. Perhaps they would soon. He glanced at Deora, saw her bring two new flowers up to her nose and went to her. “You are bothered still?”

“I believe I have gone daft.”

“My mother will know what to do. Perhaps this will help.” He knelt down in front of her, took a cloth from his belt, wet it with the water from his flask and carefully began to wash her face.

That exasperated her. Not since she was a child had a man washed her face. She stopped him, took the cloth away, motioned for more water and washed it herself. Then she gave it back and nodded her appreciation.

Justin picked another flower, tore off the petals and began to rub them on her hair near her face. He was careful not to touch her bruise and when he looked at her, her eyes were closed and she was indeed very becoming. Taken aback, he stopped and moved away.

“Thank you,” she said, only because it was the proper thing to do.

She did not smile and he suspected something else was wrong. “What is it?”

She slumped. Was she to be allowed no private thoughts? “You have been very kind and I am truly thankful, but you need not pretend to care about me. I am well aware you were forced to take me and now I am a hindrance. You would...”

“I was not pretending.” Justin stood up, walked to Shaw and paused just long enough to say, “Pleasing that lass is hopeless,” and then started up the hill.

Shaw stared after his laird for a few moments and then turned to look at her. Deora was yanking the petals off another flower and tossing them away. The men were right, if Justin wanted her, he had no idea how to win her. Still, it was not like him to give up. No man handles rejection well and he began to take pity on his laird. It was one more reason to watch carefully and make sure Justin made no unsound decisions.

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