Highland Chieftain by Hannah Howell Page B

doorway. “I quite enjoyed myself.”
    She blushed and looked away. “Weel, aye, it was nice.” She frowned when he clasped his hand to his heart and staggered a little. “What?”
    â€œNice? Ye wound a mon with faint praise.”
    â€œNow ye are just being silly,” she grumbled. “T’was wondrous. Happy now?”
    â€œAye.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Ye could say it with a smile though.”
    â€œAnd now ye are teasing.” She shook her head but a grin tugged at her mouth. “I have to go.”
    They talked a little more as she opened the way out and he prayed he had eased that embarrassment she had felt, eased it enough that she would not avoid him. Callum watched her leave. She looked around a lot before she stepped out and as she walked, which pleased him. He also surveyed the area carefully. Once she was out of view, he sighed, put the bushes back in place, and returned to his pallet. Callum prayed he had not frightened her away for he already wanted her back.
    Her smell still lingered on his bedding and he sighed again. Bethoc had not only been a virgin, she had been completely ignorant. He was astounded that he could have been yet it was obvious Matheson had never let her leave the house. Her mother had been too lost in her dreams to teach her child anything and he could not see her father telling her anything either. Looking at how she had lived he supposed it should not surprise him that she could be so completely innocent at her age, an age where she should have been married or at least contemplating marriage.
    Old memories stung him before he could stop them and he found himself feeling as if he had sullied her with his touch. He had not been innocent of much of anything since he was a small child. When he had reached an age to be intrigued by women, he had done all he could to get as much knowledge as he could. For a man like him to touch such a pure innocent seemed wrong.
    Callum cursed, shaking away the moment of doubt. He could not change anything in his past and he had done no harm. There was nothing to feel guilty about. He was just put off his stride by Bethoc’s innocence. It was not something he encountered often in a woman for it had never been what he looked for. He had hunted experienced ladies who would allow a man in their bed for a while and then he could walk away. No bonds, just some pleasant memories.
    He settled himself more comfortably against the wall. Before this went any further he had to decide what he was going to do about Bethoc. She was more than just an evening’s entertainment. That was about the only thing he was sure of.
    She had had a hard life with Kerr Matheson and that tugged at his sympathy, his need to shelter those who suffered from abuse. Yet he deeply admired her. She cared for all those children, only Margaret being truly related to her. Despite her hard life she was kind and he knew well that kindness was difficult to hold on to when living under a man’s fists. And she still found things to take joy in. Yes, he deeply respected her and admired that quiet strength she revealed.
    There was a lot to like about Bethoc but he knew that was not what had him thinking he could take her to his home, to settle her at Whytemont. The way that thought kept slipping into his head was driving him mad. Callum could not understand what it meant. Did he think he could keep her as his mistress and she would care for the various strays he tended to collect? A heartbeat later he knew the answer to that absurd question was no. But he still needed some explanation for his urge to take her home with him.
    â€œYe look thoughtful,” said Simon as he strode into the cave, followed by Robbie and Uven.
    â€œAnd ye are back sooner than I expected,” said Callum, silently thanking God they had not returned earlier.
    â€œWe happened upon a verra helpful maid in the second tavern we entered. Ne’er forget to pay