they had run dry. But he did not provide anything beyond comfort. “I will be riding ahead this afternoon to meet my clansmen and handle some things that have come about since my departure. My brothers and guard will ride with you. You will not be left alone. Do you understand?”
Conor was so confusing. He was being considerate by telling her of his plans, but he was leaving her. She knew he was waiting for her to respond. “I understand, Conor.” She stood up and brushed her dusty bliaut in search of something to do. “Will I be seeing you tonight, then?”
“Perhaps,” he said indifferently. “One more question and then I will go.” He paused as if he didn’t know how to continue. “Will your brother be searching for you?”
Laurel’s brows pinched together in confusion, and she shook her head. “No. He is getting married soon and his bride wanted me out of the manor. My brother is new to his title and wealth, and therefore reluctant to put forth a dowry for a marriage contract. He is glad to be rid of me.”
Conor nodded and left. Relief flooded through him. He knew how to handle Douglass, but he was unsure about how to address Laurel’s family. He meant what he said when he told her that she was not leaving. He was not sure why he felt so strongly, but Conor knew his future was wrapped up with hers.
After he left, Laurel returned to refresh herself by the nearby brook. There was a standing pool of water nearby and went to wash her face. As she looked down, she saw her reflection in the standing water. She was truly a mess. No wonder Conor had felt it so easy to walk away and leave her. He was just a kind and compassionate man. It was amazing that he had felt any attraction towards her at all these past few days. Now that he was returning to his home that would most likely change, she told herself. It was important that she distance herself, emotionally, and soon.
When she arrived back at the campsite, Conor was preparing to leave. She could see now in the morning light that his eyes were slightly bloodshot, as if he had not slept all night.
“Everyone mount up. I want to be home by nightfall.” With that, the men gathered their horses and quickly prepared to leave.
All morning she felt as if she had lost something very precious yesterday afternoon and had no way to get it back. Gone were the light banter, the fleeting looks, and exchange of gazes throughout the day. Conor had not looked back even one time to see how she was faring. But what did she expect after her “stay away from me” monologue? A profession of undying love and commitment?
She knew that she could not have it both ways. She had asked him to back away, and he had. Instead of being in mourning for their friendship, she should feel at ease. She didn’t want any more complications, and falling in love with Conor McTiernay was just that. A major complication.
Conor could feel Laurel probing him with her eyes. What did she want from him? She wanted him to leave her alone and that was exactly what he was doing.
Her words from yesterday had played over and over again in his mind. Her mother and father, like his, had been happy and in love. Once, he, too, had been like her, desiring a relationship like that of his parents. Instead, he found false promises and desires for only wealth and power.
Here, Laurel was seeking the same thing. Except it was he who was making her abandon hope. Her story and the idea that he made her doubt her faith in love kept him awake most of the night. She wanted him and accepted him. But she wasn’t willing to surrender her ideals and self-respect for the passion they shared. He was unsure whether this made him thankful or full of regret.
He signaled Finn that he was going on ahead and then pushed forward through the bushes.
Chapter Five
Late that afternoon, just before sunset, Craig settled back to ride beside her for the first time. Laurel enjoyed the gregarious twin’s uplifting view of the world.
Conor was so confusing. He was being considerate by telling her of his plans, but he was leaving her. She knew he was waiting for her to respond. “I understand, Conor.” She stood up and brushed her dusty bliaut in search of something to do. “Will I be seeing you tonight, then?”
“Perhaps,” he said indifferently. “One more question and then I will go.” He paused as if he didn’t know how to continue. “Will your brother be searching for you?”
Laurel’s brows pinched together in confusion, and she shook her head. “No. He is getting married soon and his bride wanted me out of the manor. My brother is new to his title and wealth, and therefore reluctant to put forth a dowry for a marriage contract. He is glad to be rid of me.”
Conor nodded and left. Relief flooded through him. He knew how to handle Douglass, but he was unsure about how to address Laurel’s family. He meant what he said when he told her that she was not leaving. He was not sure why he felt so strongly, but Conor knew his future was wrapped up with hers.
After he left, Laurel returned to refresh herself by the nearby brook. There was a standing pool of water nearby and went to wash her face. As she looked down, she saw her reflection in the standing water. She was truly a mess. No wonder Conor had felt it so easy to walk away and leave her. He was just a kind and compassionate man. It was amazing that he had felt any attraction towards her at all these past few days. Now that he was returning to his home that would most likely change, she told herself. It was important that she distance herself, emotionally, and soon.
When she arrived back at the campsite, Conor was preparing to leave. She could see now in the morning light that his eyes were slightly bloodshot, as if he had not slept all night.
“Everyone mount up. I want to be home by nightfall.” With that, the men gathered their horses and quickly prepared to leave.
All morning she felt as if she had lost something very precious yesterday afternoon and had no way to get it back. Gone were the light banter, the fleeting looks, and exchange of gazes throughout the day. Conor had not looked back even one time to see how she was faring. But what did she expect after her “stay away from me” monologue? A profession of undying love and commitment?
She knew that she could not have it both ways. She had asked him to back away, and he had. Instead of being in mourning for their friendship, she should feel at ease. She didn’t want any more complications, and falling in love with Conor McTiernay was just that. A major complication.
Conor could feel Laurel probing him with her eyes. What did she want from him? She wanted him to leave her alone and that was exactly what he was doing.
Her words from yesterday had played over and over again in his mind. Her mother and father, like his, had been happy and in love. Once, he, too, had been like her, desiring a relationship like that of his parents. Instead, he found false promises and desires for only wealth and power.
Here, Laurel was seeking the same thing. Except it was he who was making her abandon hope. Her story and the idea that he made her doubt her faith in love kept him awake most of the night. She wanted him and accepted him. But she wasn’t willing to surrender her ideals and self-respect for the passion they shared. He was unsure whether this made him thankful or full of regret.
He signaled Finn that he was going on ahead and then pushed forward through the bushes.
Chapter Five
Late that afternoon, just before sunset, Craig settled back to ride beside her for the first time. Laurel enjoyed the gregarious twin’s uplifting view of the world.
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