"We have and I am greatly relieved."
"Good, then it was right to send for her."
"Kevin, Charlet's nightmare is not over. There will be another Englishman and then another until the king's nephew manages to kill her."
"How do you propose we put an end to this? Should I encourage her to accept the offer of one of these lairds?"
"Marriage might help, but I have a better idea."
*
He spread his plaid on the ground for her and accepted another one from Dugan to cover her. Two more men gave Blair their extra plaids and he made a bed for himself a couple of feet away. They were surrounded by twenty men, all bedded down within hearing and seeing distance, and Blair was not happy about it, but there was little he could do without embarrassing her. At least they had food and Charlet ate a hearty meal. She used her arm more and if it hurt, she didn't let on.
"Blair," she whispered.
"What?"
"I am sorry."
"So am I." He was sorry. Tomorrow he would deliver her to the MacGreagors and have to ride away as though his whole life had not changed. Just once, he wanted to let her know how he felt...just once. He suddenly thought of something and turned on his side to face her. "Charlet."
She turned on her side to face him. "What?"
"Do you remember what you said about Duff? You said he kept telling you something but it meant nothing."
"I remember."
He hesitated, terrified she would reject him. Then he mustered all his courage and finally said, "I tell you the same thing."
Her heart skipped a beat. "But it means something this time?"
"Aye."
She smiled in the darkness, but couldn't think of a way to say it back, so she just said, "I am glad."
He too smiled. She didn't say she loved him, but she didn't reject him either. It was enough and Blair closed his eyes. "Go to sleep, Charlet."
"Bridget."
"Charlet."
*
The morning meal was an apple and she was thrilled to have it. It tasted wonderful and she ate it all except the core which she fed to Blair's horse. For the first time in the last few days, she felt good. Her arm was tender, but not throbbing and Blair was still with her -- at least for a few more hours. She had no idea what would happen in the future, but for now, she could consume all the love he was willing to give her -- all he could give her surrounded by twenty fierce warriors, that is.