He saw Jane curled up under the furs on the bed. Her golden hair was spread out on the pillow, faintly reflecting the small amount of light in the room.
Darach took a step toward her, intending to reach out and wake her, when he noticed another lump on the bed next to her. He leaned over slightly to see who it was and found his sister. One of her hands was peeking out of the covers and loosely wrapped around one of Jane’s. Darach smiled to himself; glad his sister had found a new friend.
Darach had always thought Lorna was lonely most times, but it seemed Jane’s coming had eradicated that.
With a sigh, he moved away from them, resigning himself to the fact that he wouldn’t awaken Jane or speak to her tonight. He wished he was the one tucked in with her so he could move in close until her back was cradled against his chest, and he’d curl one arm around her and bury his face in her sweet-smelling hair.
He clamped on the stirring desire in him and made his way to the window, slowly pulling the drapes closed to bar out the cold night air. He stoked the flames in the fireplace, careful not to wake them. Just a moment later, he noticed the pair of hazel eyes staring at him.
“Did I wake ye?”
She shook her head. “The warmth. My skin possibly noticed the change in the temperature of the room.”
Lorna also rustled in the bed and rose to see him. Her eyes widened in shock for a moment before she gasped. “Brother! The battle is over?”
Darach nodded. “I had nae intention of waking ye when I found out ye’d dozed off. Just wanted to stoke the fire so the room would be warm. We can talk on the morrow.”
“How’s my faither?”
Darach stared at Jane. She looked tired and nervous. Her gaze kept darting toward him and away, as though she feared him lunging across the table and hauling her to his chamber.
He sighed. He supposed it wasn’t an unreasonable fear, given what could have occurred on the battleground and the fact that she wasn’t being transferred to her father right now. The lass was squeamish, and it was up to him to allay her fears and soothe her worries.
“Yer faither is safe and on his way back tae his keep.”
“He dinnae bother tae take me with him?” The fear in her eyes had quickly become a look of confusion.
Clearly, they were going to have to discuss matters far more than what he’d offered her. He had to explain to her why she was not on her way home now and might not be for a while, and he could only hope that she would take it in good faith.
The mere idea worried him beyond measure. His thoughts must have been expressed on his face because she sent him a startled look.
“Ye will be staying with us awhile more. Ye have nae need tae worry because yer faither and I just have tae clear up a few misunderstandings. I can tell ye the details in the morning.”
She shook her head quickly. “I’d rather hear them now.”
“Then get dressed,” he muttered. “I’d be waiting for ye in the study.”
He immediately excused himself from the room and headed for the study. He lit the candles and then took a seat at the table, picking up a book to read as he awaited the lass.
When Jane stepped into the room, Darach almost gasped. She was dressed in a beautiful blue gown he’d once seen on Lorna. The dress showcased intricate embroidery around the neck, sleeves, and hem. She looked stunning in the golden rays of candlelight.
Her hair was down, with the curls falling all the way to her waist. Darach swallowed hard as he considered how well his hands would fit in the curve between her narrow hips and thegenerous swell of herbosom.
“Dinnae concern yerself too much about yer situation,” he said, following her gaze. ”Ye will soon be back in yer home.”
She frowned at him. “I’m nae concerned for my situation, my laird.”
Darach could see, of course, that it was a lie. Her home and family were probably everything to her, and she was worried but didn’t want to show him for some reason. To assure her of her safety, he would need to be compassionate, something he was not sure he could truly be.
“Ye may nae be concerned, but I am worried for my men,” he said without a hint of humor. “Please sit, my lady, and let me explain the situation to ye.”
She nodded and obliged him, sitting in one of the deep leather armchairs bracketing the fireplace, directly opposite him. Now that her disarmingly beautiful profile was glowing right across from him, he wished there was a way time could freeze so he could stare at this sight forever.
“Yer faither truly came tae claim ye. But he wasnae with his own end of the bargain.”
“Yer men?” she gently prodded.
“None of them. He’s claiming Kenn escaped. Tell me, how often do prisoners disappear from yer faither’s dungeons?”