Highland Jewel (Highland Brides) by Lois Greiman Page A

fists with a conscious effort. "As ye wish then," he said, and, turning away, strode into the dark woods.
    "Leith." Colin was there, not far into the trees and stopped him with his voice. "All is well with the nun?"
    Leith stiffened. "She willna eat," he answered through gritted teeth. "She is being difficult."
    Colin shrugged. "She is a woman," he said, glancing toward camp and considering his own troubles with the female gender.
    "Aye," Leith grumbled in return. "That she is."
    There was definite emotion to Leith's response, Colin noted, and turned back toward his brother with some interest. "She is a bonny mite, though."
    No answer was forthcoming from the laird of the Forbes, piquing Colin's interest even more.
    "Eyes like Highland jewels," prodded the younger brother.
    In the darkness Colin thought he saw Leith's fists clench. "She is a woman of God," Leith said, his tone flat.
    "Aye," agreed Colin gently. "But she strikes a blow like the devil's own, does she na?"
    "I dunna care to discuss her."
    "Then why do ye drag her along?"
    “ 'Tis na yer concern," stated Leith. "Keep yer mind on yer watch. Ye have seen na signs of trouble?"
    Nothing as obvious as Leith's strange temper and actions, Colin thought. Why did he wish to take the wee nun back to Scotland? "Na trouble," he said finally then corrected himself with a frown, “There is a cat. He follows us by day. Beds down nearby at night."
    Leith remained silent for a moment then said, "I have noticed the cat."
    "Shall I kill him? 'Twould make a fine hide for—"
    "No!" Leith ordered quickly then drew a breath and shook his head. "He does us na harm. We shall do him none."
    Colin was quiet, watching his brother's face in the darkness. He had fought beside Leith, had buried loved ones with him, and would, perhaps, die with him. No one knew his liege better than he. "Ye ken sommat of the cat?" he questioned softly.
    The brothers' eyes met, Leith's dark and solemn, Colin's bright and questioning.
    " 'Tis na yer concern," Leith said again, but the younger man scowled.
    "We take a young postulate from a holy abbey and ye say 'tis na me concern?" he asked, his ire rising for the first time.
    "Do ye challenge me right to her?" asked Leith, his voice low.
    "Right to her?" Colin countered, narrow-eyed. "I didna ken we were speaking of a leg o'mutton."
    Leith took a single step forward, looming large in the darkness. "She is me responsibility, brother," he warned. "Dunna interfere."
     
    The scene by the fire that night was much the same as the night before. The Widow Millet was adhered to Leith's side while the little nun was propped on her knees at the firelight's edge.
    Tonight, however, Colin watched with a more discerning eye. What were Leith's intentions? "Dunna interfere," he'd said. But interfere with what?
    Leith chuckled at the Widow's comment, but his gaze, Colin noted, had slipped to the spot where the wee nun knelt.
    What did he want from the lass? Why did he bring her along?
    "More bread, my lord?" Devona leaned closer, the food held between her fingers.
    "Na. I've had me fill."
    "More venison, mayhap?" she asked softly, her wide brown eyes lifting to Leith's.
    "Na." He failed to look into her appealing gaze and Colin chuckled aloud.
    "Isna there sommat else ye might offer the Forbes?" he asked cynically from the far side of the fire. "Sommat more personal, mayhap?"
    For a moment Devona glared at him. "I will take food to the postulate," she said, and rose stiffly to move toward the fire, but Colin caught her arm.
    "He is laird of the Forbes," Colin said, "and not for the likes of ye."
    "Indeed. But you cannot blame a girl for dreaming," she murmured, and jerking her arm from his grasp, lifted a filled plate to stride toward Rose.
    "Damn her stubborn hide," swore Colin.
    "Aye," said Leith in low agreement, but his gaze had not shifted from the kneeling figure.
     

Chapter 6
    In her mind's eye Rose could still see Leith's naked chest. It was bold and broad, beaded