Part 9 (2/2)
The girl actually paled. ”Why do you ask?”
”That was what woke me. I heard a group of men asking the farmer about him and I was wondering if you'd heard of him in your journeys.”
Cat wouldn't have believed it possible had she not seen it, but Julia actually paled even more.
She sprang to her feet and rushed back to the barn.
She hurried after her, wondering what was up. By the time she entered the barn, Julia had Bracken by his arm.
”Bracken, we must hurry.”
He frowned at his sister before he disentangled his arm from her grasp. ”Why?”
”Cat said there were men here, seeking you.”
He cursed.
Cat scowled at them as she finally understood what was going on. ”You're Faucon?”
There was no pride in his face, only a look of deep resignation. ”Aye, indeed. And don't look at me like that, Cat. You've been taken care of all your life. You have no idea what it's like to bear the responsibility of a loved one's belly and health. Trust me. It makes you do things you would never think yourself capable of.”
”Hunger has no morals,” Lochlan said quietly.
She saw the relief in Bracken's eyes as he realized he was in the presence of someone who wouldn't judge him for what he'd done to protect his siblings. Cat was trying hard not to. But she'd been taught from the cradle that it was better to starve to death than to take even a morsel from someone else to feed herself.
However, her morals had never been tested and she knew Bracken to be a fair and decent man.
If he had stolen, then truly he would have had no other recourse.
Cat offered him an understanding smile. ”I don't condemn you for what you've done, Bracken.
I'm just hurt that you've been reduced to this.”
His eyes burned into her. ”Believe me, no one is sadder over it than I am.”
Cat stepped forward and hugged him. ”You're a good man, Bracken and well I know it. Have no fear that I think any less of you.”
”Thank you,” he whispered before he stepped away from her as if embarra.s.sed by her actions.
”We just have to make sure no one recognizes him.” Lochlan opened his saddlebags and pulled out two of his tunics. ”It'll be a bit large for Bryce, but you should find it a good fit.”
Cat noted the way Bracken ran his hand over the fine linen. She could tell that the man had never thought to touch its like again. No one would mistake them for peasants or thieves wearing those garments.
Taking a cue from Lochlan, she fished one of her gowns out and handed it to Julia, who beamed like a child on a Christmas Day feast.
”'Tis lovely! Thank you, Cat, thank you.”
She inclined her head to the girl, who practically ran for privacy so that she could change her clothes while her brothers exchanged their tunics immediately. Cat averted her gaze, but the flash of Bracken's well-muscled chest made her think about Lochlan's. How strange that was what her desire would be directed to and not at the beautiful body before her. Rather it was the man to her left that she wanted to see naked.
You have lost your mind.
Truly, there was no other explanation. Why else would she not be fascinated by the swell of Bracken's muscles? He was a fine-looking man and yet his body, while she could appreciate it, didn't make her heart pound or steal her breath away. What she needed was something to distract her from these disturbing thoughts.
”I'll see about buying more food from the farmer,” she said, moving toward the door.
Lochlan stopped her and handed her his purse. ”You'll find your purchase much easier if you have coin.”
She laughed, trying to cover her embarra.s.sment. ”This is probably true. My thanks.”
A slight hint of a smile tugged at the edge of his lips and at her heart. She didn't know how such a simple gesture could make her knees weak when Bracken's nudity had done nothing to her, but it did.
Yet that was nothing compared to the overwhelming urge she had to reach up and touch his face. Afraid of the mere thought, she quickly took her leave.
Lochlan couldn't help but watch as Catarina sashayed out of the barn. There was something about the sway of her hips what was beguiling.
”You've fallen bad.”
He frowned at Bracken's words. ”I've what?”
”You know what. If her father were here, he'd gouge out your eyes for the way you're staring after her. You're all but salivating.”
Lochlan felt a childish urge to argue, but to what point? Bracken was right. He hadn't felt this kind of pull toward a woman in many years. ”Aye, well, I'm old enough to know when not to act.”
”Would it be so bad if you did?”
Aye, it would. He had enough responsibility on him and Catarina wasn't the kind of woman he needed in his life. Her willful spirit would be a constant strain on any man.
”Hearts are fickle things,” he said quietly to Bracken. ”'Tis why the Lord gave us brains so that we may recognize stupidity when we see it. She's a French princess whose father already has her husband chosen. I learned a long time ago to stay out of such politics. I've had one clan war that almost destroyed my people. I've no wish to start another.”
”Then why are you helping her?”
Lochlan looked away as he tightened the cinch for his saddle. ”I owe her my brother's life and I gave her my word.”
”Is that the only reason?”
”Of course it is.”
Bracken tsked at him. ”If you choose to believe those lies...”
Julia scoffed at her brother as she returned to their side. ”Look at you...preaching to another about love.” She shook her head. ”Pay him no attention, Lord Lochlan. My brother knows even less of love than I do.”
Bracken rolled his eyes at her. ”You've listened to too many minstrels, child.”
”Perhaps, but I would never suffer the one I love to marry another.”
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