Page 23 of Hunted By the Hard Highlander

While it was obvious that Hendry had undergone some sort of training, she had not thought that it would extend beyond battlefield remedies. Though a field medic would not be as skilled as he was in treating illness.

She wondered what had driven him to the training, and even more, she wanted to know what had changed. Why had he locked himself away?

* * *

Hendry hissed as cold water caressed every inch of his body. He dunked his head, feeling the shocking rush of blood. When he surfaced, pushing his hair from his forehead, he released all of the air in his lungs, clearing his nostrils of any remaining water.

“Nay good,” he growled, his voice carrying over the surface of the cool mountain spring. “Nothin’s goin’ to be any good.”

As he pulled himself from the water, he looked at his cabin and the field of herbs in the distance. He had come here with the intention of banishing the phantom pressure of Aurora’s lips from his mind. It seemed as if he would forever be cursed to think of her when he passed the ipecac. He was sure that each time he mixed a tincture, he saw her bright eyes.

And now when he thought of the cabin, he could only think about the way her body felt beneath his, the way she had arched into his kiss like it was instinct. That space would forever be haunted by the memory of her warmth pressed against him.

He scoffed at himself, unable to shake the frustration. She was everywhere, including the places that he used to retreat to. It seemed that he would never have any sort of escape.

His clothes soaked, Hendry walked back to the castle, not bothering to shake even a bit of the water away. The wind cut through the dripping fabric, stinging like a thousand little knives. He focused on that rather than the fact that Aurora could be lurking around any corner inside. It was something solid, the best distraction he could give himself.

I’m behavin’ as if I’m afraid of the lass.

Needing to bury the memory in his work, he marched to his chambers and quickly shed the soiled garments. The fresh clothing sent warmth directly into his skin, wrapping around him like a lover’s embrace. It was such a stark contrast, yet it only seemed to remind him of Aurora more.

She had been so warm and pliant beneath him. Her cheek had burned against the tip of his nose when he had pressed in close. The ghost of her breath fanned across his mouth, undeniably present and alive.

“I cannae get her out of me damned head,” he growled as he took hold of his sword, fastening it to his waist. “Nae a thing I have done has worked.”

He would ride into the village nearby. There was still a bit of work that needed to be taken care of there before the handfasting ceremony. Everything must be perfect for when the Scottish Managers visited once more.

Just as he turned to leave the room, there was a knock at his door. He paused, considering who would be calling upon him here. When he failed to infer the person who was standing outside, he barked, “Enter.”

Slowly, the hinges creaked, revealing Aurora standing there. She let it slide fully open, but did not move from her side of the threshold. It was almost as if she were afraid to cross into his space.

Ye are right to stay there, Aurora. I daenae ken if I can trust meself around ye.

Her eyes immediately darted down to his open doublet, the rivulets of water tracking their way down his chest. She went red from her forehead all the way down to her neck, and he imagined that she was blushing even under her collar.

“What do ye need?” Hendry said, unable to hide the amusement he felt. It was better than letting her see the spark of his own interest.

“Th–This,” she stuttered, seeming to snap out of her stupor. She held up a missive that was clutched within her hand.

“And what is that?” he pressed, taking a few steps toward her.

“It is another letter from me uncle,” she said, keeping her voice steady, though he could tell that she was fighting to keep the shaking at bay. “I havenae opened it yet. I couldnae.”

Finally, she took a few small steps into his chamber. It was obvious that she was uncomfortable being here, but the letter in her hand seemed to scare her more. Stilted, she shoved the envelope into his hands.

“If we are truly to face whatever lies ahead together,” she whispered, the low volume of her voice dipping lower, pulling Hendry in closer, “I want to trust ye.” She paused, swallowing and shifting on her feet. “But I need ye to trust me, too.”

For a moment, Hendry was not sure what to do or say. Her confession, her demand, it seemed to make the very ground beneath his feet unsteady. Then, knowing that words would be inadequate, he broke the wax seal and slid the folded parchment from within into his palm.

Aurora was not breathing as his eyes scanned the careful writing. The tone of this was notably different, no longer jovial and congratulatory. Instead, it was a warning.

“What does it say?” Aurora asked. She did not hold her hands out, instead waiting for him to tell her.

It was an act of trust.

“He is warnin’ of dangerous fugitives from Clan MacGonagal hidin’ somewhere within Anderson lands,” Hendry said, resisting the urge to protect her from the truth. He had seen how strong she was, it would be a disservice to conceal this. “It is polite, but he is warnin’ me to remain vigilant, to have me men on the lookout for any suspicious strangers. And that I should surrender any that I encounter to Clan MacGonagal.”

The words sat between them heavily. He did not need to say it out loud, Hendry and Aurora both knew that MacGonagal suspected something, even if he did not know the truth.