”Never heard of one,” she said softly.
“Exactly.”
“But that doesnae mean yer man couldnae have found a way out, especially if he’s as resourceful as ye seem tae claim.”
Darach looked at her, but she avoided his gaze. He cleared his throat and then continued.
“I dinnae believe that he escaped unless he had inside help, which will be hard tae find in yer keep.”
“So ye think my faither is fibbing?”
He rolled his right shoulder. “I dinnae ken what tae think.”
“And I assume I’d be here until ye ken?”
Darach blew out a frustrated breath. “Ye are a guest here.”
“I am a guest that cannae leave on her own volition. What a special guest I am.”
“Aye. Ye truly have limited choices, but what ye have is surely better than the lot of my men, nay?”
“I suppose so.” Jane went very still as if she was bracing herself for something difficult. The only movement was a small muscle pulsing in her cheek. She turned her eyes on him, and the room suddenly felt cooler beneath his glacial stare.
“At least I am wanted in yer keep. I might as well stay here as a guest than go back tae a home where I am nae wanted.”
Jane’s tone was as hard and flat as flint, and before Darach could say a word, she stood up. Her eyes settled on the mahogany desk that stood near one of the large arched windows, and she slowly ran her hand over its polished surface. A gilt and bronze candlestick and writing implements surrounded sheets of paper on the table, and Darach tried to read her thoughts as she stared at the disorderly mess.
“My lady?”
She ignored him and walked toward the window that overlooked the courtyard from the east and the grand, columned residences opposite. The starry night sky meant the walkways were scarce of people, but it was the perfect place to look down on passersby in the daylight.
“Is this where ye saw me from, my laird?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Aye.”
“Ye should have let me go.”
Darach shook his head. “That was folly. Ye could have fallen tae yer death and even if ye succeeded, ye couldnae make it home by yerself!”
Her mouth took on a pinched look. At first, he thought he’d frightened her, but on second look, he saw she was furious. Her chin went up, and defiance sparked in her eyes. “That would be better. I’d cease tae be yer trouble and my faither’s as well.”
He sighed and tried to rein in his impatience. The lass was surely going to be the death of him. “I fail tae see how that is less of a trouble tae me. I’d much prefer yer presence.”
She flushed. “Only because ye dinnae ken how much grief me presence brings…” She trailed off and promptly looked away, wringing her hands together in distress.
Darach stepped away from the fire toward her. “What do ye mean?”
She pressed her lips firmly together as if refusing to say another word. He was getting so frustrated that he couldn’t resist irking her. “I hadnae realized there’d come a time that ye could be so scared tae speak, lass.”
Her eyes flashed, and she turned to him to glare her displeasure. “Even the mere thought that could make ye believe ye ken me is ridiculous,” she said with a sniff.
He raised an eyebrow at that. “I agree. Every moment ye seem tae do something tae surprise me, even when I think it nae possible.” A smile spread across his lips. “I must admit I find it interesting, as well as exasperating most times.”
She opened her mouth and then promptly shut it again. But she muttered something under her breath that he didn’t catch.
“Now, while I appreciate yer restraint, I would like tae really hear yer thoughts. Be nae afraid tae speak them.”
She looked away and twisted her hands in front of her. “If ‘tis all the same tae ye, I assure ye wouldnae like what yer ears are about tae hear.”