Part 11 (1/2)
”Nay, child,” Catarina snapped. ”Never. It's not in him to do such a thing.”
Lochlan moved back, away from them as their words haunted him. Most likely his father had done it. He wouldn't be surprised.
The only thing people respect is cruelty. Show them you're the meanest and none will dare to attack you. His father had lived and died by those words. And his own mother had worn enough bruises that Lochlan knew firsthand how seldom his father had spared his fist.
Not to mention the rest of them.
But at least Catarina had seen the truth. He was not his father. He refused to deal such cruelty to others. Unfortunately, many others didn't see things the same way Catarina did.
His heart heavy, he returned to camp.
Bryce's face lightened the instant he saw the hares. ”There will be full bellies tonight.”
Lochlan laid them out by the boy's feet so that he could skin them. ”I should wash up.” And this time when he made his way back to the stream, he made sure to make enough noise to warn the women of his approach.
Julia quickly excused herself while Catarina stayed behind. Ignoring her, Lochlan knelt to wash his hands.
Cat frowned. Lochlan seemed even more closed off from her than he'd been before. ”Are you all right?”
”I'm fine, la.s.s.”
But he didn't seem fine. There was something troubling him. ”Are we slowing you down?”
”What?”
”I was wondering if you were bothered by the fact that all of us are traveling with you now. I know you're in a hurry to find out about your brother.”
”Nay. Since Bracken knows where he's heading and I don't, I imagine this is much quicker.”
She moved closer to him. ”Then what's weighing on your mind?”
He stood up to tower over her. ”There's nothing.”
As if she believed him. Every part of his tense body and his pale eyes denied his claim. ”If you say so, my lord.”
He frowned at her. ”What do you mean by that tone of voice?”
”Nothing at all. If your mind is empty, then it's empty. Far be it from me to question a mindless man.”
His scowl deepened. ”I thought you said you would refrain from insulting me.”
”It appears I can't help myself. Must be your charming ways that compel me to tease you so.
Besides, you told Bracken that what with your brothers, you were used to being insulted.”
His features smoothed a bit. ”I was rather enjoying the hiatus from my torment.”
”Then I shall give you peace once more.” Cat moved away from him, but before she could take more than one step, he gently took her arm.
She looked up expectantly as a myriad of emotions crossed his brow. But the one that made her ache was the torment she saw in those pale eyes. He wanted to say something, she could feel.
However, he seemed incapable of getting it out.
”Is there something more?”
He let go. ”Nay. You should return.” He knelt back on the ground.
Cat hesitated as she watched him splash water on his face. Part of her wanted to go to him and touch his rigid back. But the other could sense he wanted to be alone. Deciding to give him peace, she forced herself to walk away even though it was hard.
She didn't know why she wanted to soothe him, yet she did. There was something about him that lured her even against common sense. She'd never felt like this about a man before. Sure, there had been men like Bracken who appealed to her in terms of looks and personality. Men who made her laugh and who were extremely attractive. But they didn't make her warm just to glance at them. She didn't want to soothe them when they were sad; nor did she ache simply because she thought they were troubled.
”Are you all right?” Bracken asked, as she returned to camp.
Suddenly she understood Lochlan's reticence to answer. ”I'm fine.”
”You don't look fine.”
”Of course I do. At least as fine as someone running from the authorities. All in all, I think I appear quite happy.”
He laughed. ”I've always admired that about you.”
”What?”
”Your ability to make light of any situation, no matter how dire. It's a skill I wish I possessed.”
Cat smiled at him. ”You are too kind. I think all of you have immense grace under pressure.” She moved past him to see Julia and Bryce fastening a makes.h.i.+ft spit above the fire so that they could cook the hares.
Once it was complete and they had the hares dressed and roasting, Bryce pulled out a small wooden flute from his satchel and began to play.
Closing her eyes, she listened to the notes and let the pleasure of them ease the worry in her mind. She didn't know why, but the sound of music had always soothed her no matter what. She opened her eyes and smiled at the young man. ”You've grown very talented.”
He paused in his song to smile at her. ”Thanks, Cat.” Then he returned to playing.
Cat held her hand out to Julia. ”Dance with me, Jules.”
She got up without hesitation and brushed the dirt from her skirt. Laughing, she took Cat's hands so that they could turn a circle together.
Lochlan paused as he entered camp as saw the women dancing together. But what froze him to the spot was the way Cat danced. It wasn't anything like he'd seen before. Unlike the dancers at court, she undulated and moved like a seductress. If this was how Salome had looked, he could well understand a man willing to do anything to placate such a woman.
The sound of her laughter and song caressed his ears. And when she spun alone the hem of her dress lifted, showing him the most incredible set of legs he'd ever beheld.
Catarina danced without care. Without rules. All that mattered to her was her enjoyment.
Her smile floored him as she came to his side and held her hands out to him. ”Join us, Lochlan.”
Never in his life had he wanted anything more, but he couldn't. He didn't know how and the last thing he wanted was to look foolish before the others. ”Nay, thank you.”