Page 10 of Highland Warrior

A gust of wind rattled the shutters, and the child squealed with laughter. Natalie smiled despite herself. It was so ordinary, so alive—a slice of life she’d only ever read about in history books. Here, it breathed. Here, it mattered.

The door creaked open, and the room changed. Ian filled the threshold, the daylight catching on his hair and the edge of his plaid. His presence warmed the space in an entirely different way. He looked from Catriona to Natalie, surprise flickering in his eyes before softening into contemplation.

“Laird,” Catriona said, rising quickly. “I was just feeding your guest. Angus went out already to look for ye, probably in the training fields if ye’ve come for him.”

Ian nodded, but his gaze never left Natalie. “Aye, thank ye, Catriona.”

Catriona took the hint, scooping up her child and retreating into the adjoining room. The air seemed to shift, quieting again, until only the fire’s crackle remained.

“Ye’ve found your way beyond the walls,” Ian said at last.

“I wanted to see more,” she admitted. “To understand what life here is really like.” She hesitated, then smiled faintly. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”

He stepped closer, the firelight painting gold along his jaw. “Ye’ve done no such thing. The people will be glad to know ye care enough to walk among them.”

“It’s beautiful here,” she said. “Hard, I’m sure—but beautiful.”

He studied her for a moment, and something like pride kindled behind his eyes. “Ye sound like one of us already.”

The words struck something tender inside her. For the first time since arriving, she didn’t feel like an intruder in a story that wasn’t hers. She felt… home.

Ian seemed to sense the shift, too. His expression softened, his voice low. “And I’m glad that my people are welcoming ye.”

For a moment, neither spoke. The wind sighed against the door, the child in the next room laughed, and the smell of stew and smoke wrapped around them like memory.

She met his gaze, steady and sure. “Then I’ll make myself worthy of that honor.”

His mouth curved into a smile—small, but sincere. “Ye already are.”

“I’m off to visit a few of the women if ye’d care to come,” Catriona said to Natalie.

Internally, Natalie wanted to leap for the opportunity to travel out to see the crofters, but she wasn’t ready yet. This was a brutal time, despite all the romanticism some historians and people generally put into it. And she was still getting used to the fact that this was even real.

Noting her hesitation, Ian was quick to say, “Actually, I was hoping to take Natalie around myself. I need to check on a few fortifications and make sure we have enough provisions for the rest of winter. I may go on a hunt. Would ye care to join me?” His gaze raked over her, lending to the possibilities such a hunt could entail.

Natalie refrained from clapping for joy as her body sang. “Yes, I would love to.”

“Would ye care to walk about the keep and bailey while I settle a few things?”

He caressed her face, and Natalie leaned into his rough palm. His coarse skin rubbing against hers sent a tingle of anticipation running through her veins. She felt like a new bride. And she was! Her knees grew weak, and she had the sensation that her feet were floating. Natalie was unsure of how to react. Feeling light-headed, she breathed in deeply. Her face must have registered her unease, as Ian’s expression became a mask of concern.

“Are ye feeling well?”

“I’m just a little dizzy. This is all so much to take in at once.”

Strong arms enveloped her as Ian drew her into his comfortable embrace. She breathed in his scent and was rewarded with his masculine and all too pleasant smell. Peace befell her. She was truly comforted by him.

“There is much we need to discuss, my love.”

His love?

“Ye have no idea how much ye mean to me and my people.”

Natalie turned her head to gaze into his glittering green eyes. How could she mean so much to them? They didn’t know who she was.

“My duties can wait. Shall we go for a ride now? ’Tis not snowing, are ye all right going out in the cold?”

“Actually, I could use some fresh air.”