Highland Jewel (Highland Brides) by Lois Greiman

robes.
    "It is not so bad," she murmured. "Just a scratch for a brave warrior such as yourself. In a day's time you will hardly remember the pain. It will not even shorten your great stride and yonder mare will swoon at the sight of your power. You—"
    "Sweet Jesu!" Leith swore aloud, his voice low and peeved. Damn it to unholy hell, he had been sorely wounded in his ride to save her, and yet there she was—singing praises to his horse. "Come here, Rose."
    "I am talking to Beinn," she said. .
    "Come here, woman!" he ordered gruffly, but she remained as she was.
    "You would likely be dead long ago, were it not for his strength," she said, sounding rather peeved herself at Leith's lack of appreciation. "It was he who carried you to safety."
    "Safety, my ass," growled Leith irritably. " 'Twould na be a great surprise if I bled to death here at this place."
    "And yet he makes no complaint," she continued. "You might consider whether you are worthy of such loyalty, Scotsman."
    "Woman," he warned, feeling his patience ebb, "I am telling you—"
    "You are telling me you care little for the sacrifices of others," she said, stroking the smooth strength of the stallion's thick neck. "I suppose you would take the credit for your victory, and not give the animal a bit of praise?"
    No answer came.
    "Is that the way of it?" she asked tartly.
    Still no answer.
    "Forbes?" She finally turned. He was nowhere in sight. She scowled. The man would do anything for attention, but she supposed he too deserved a bit of credit for her rescue. She found him with his back propped against the boulder, his head lolled to the side.
    "Leith?" She blinked down at him, surprised by his lax position. Had he swooned from sheer nerves—the aftershock of trauma? She'd seen it happen before. "Leith?" She reached out slowly, touching the great expanse of his chest.
    It was sticky with blood.
    "Well, hell" she breathed in sharp surprise.
    At the sound of her voice he opened his eyes and lifted his head from the rock. "Ye swear like a warrior," he accused weakly.
    "Why didn't you tell me you were wounded?"
    "Well, lass..." He raised one hand palm up, but, realizing he received more attention when he acted as if he were near death, let it fall back to his side. "Ye were busy making love to me horse."
    She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "I should take my cross and leave you to contemplate your sins."
    "I would return as a ghost and haunt ye, wee nun." He grinned, finding a strange comfort in her anger. "I fear we are destined to be together."
    "Destined..." Rose dropped her hands and leaned closer. "You speak like a madman. I am destined to serve my Lord. To be a martyr for His—"
    "What better way to martyr yerself than to be me wife?" he asked with an unbridled grin.
    "Wife?"
    When he realized his mistake, he dragged his eyes to watch hers. They were wide and angry.
    "Listen, lass," he whispered, "mayhap ye could kill me later. After we reach camp. I fear for me brother and the widow—and I canna feel me left arm."
    "Oh." She crossed herself speedily, her face showing that familiar look of guilt. “I beg your forgiveness." She touched his chest tentatively, feeling the blood that had already congealed on his shirt. "You have been badly hurt."
    “It is good of ye to notice, wee nun." He sighed, and did not add the word "finally."
    "It pains you greatly?" she whispered.
    "Aye, lass." He lifted his right arm, gently touching her cheek. "That it does."
    She shivered beneath his touch "I... " She was stunned by his will, that he could speak so casually while bearing such a wound. “I will make a fire and fetch my herbs."
    "Nay." He held her arm in a gentle grip. "We dare na risk a fire here. We will return to the camp on the hill."
    "You cannot ride," she argued gently, her hand still touching his chest.
    “Then ye shall ride with me, wee nun," he said. "To hold me astride."
     

Chapter 9
    The situation truly made no sense, Rose realized, somewhat