An Oath Sworn Read Free Page A

recognition.
    After a long moment, he nodded.
    She exhaled. Why had she worried? Few would know her second name, especially those in the Scottish Highlands, even more so a man who lived by the blade.
    â€œAlesia. The name suits you.”
    Her body shivered at how his deep burr cradled her name. As quickly, she dismissed the foolish notion. It was exhaustion, naught more. Curious, she arched a brow. “Suits me?”
    He inclined his head, appreciation simmering in his gaze. “ ’Tis strong and beautiful.”
    Unsure how to respond, she remained silent.
    â€œHave you nay wish to know my name?”
    The splash of humor in his eyes assured her that he was a man comfortable with teasing. “You must have sisters.”
    â€œSisters?”
    â€œYou seem relaxed in the presence of women.” Heat returned to her cheeks. And why wouldn’t he be? A fool could see he was a man who could easily charm a woman into his bed. Mortified, she shook her head. “I did not mean—”
    â€œI know what you meant.” A smile tugged at his mouth, deepening his dimples. “And I do have sisters. Three of them, to be exact, and a brother. If you would want to be knowing,” he gently teased, “my name is Colyne.”
    â€œThank you.” Before she uttered something else humiliating, Marie hurried out, the soft rumble of his laughter trailing in her wake.
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    Colyne shook his head as the lass all but fled the cave. As she stepped into the sunlight, hints of gold teased by the sun shimmered through her hair like a majestic fire.
    He sucked in his breath. For a moment he’d almost lost his good sense and agreed to escort the comely lass to the coast. With a curse, Colyne rubbed his throbbing temple. What was he thinking? Since Elizabet had married another and broken his heart, he’d nae been drawn to another lass. Elizabet. His chest tightened as he thought of the woman he loved, a lass he’d known since his youth, a woman who he would forever hold in his heart.
    Nay, Alesia inspired naught. ’Twas the woman’s beauty that intrigued him. He must focus on reaching France and of learning what she knew of the writ, nae more.
    A wave of dizziness swept over him as he knelt. Bracing a hand on his knee, he took several deep breaths until his vision cleared. Aye, his travel would be slowed by his injury, but it couldna be helped. He reached for his gambeson.
    â€œWhat do you think you are doing?”
    At Alesia’s reproach, Colyne’s grip eased. The thick padding plopped upon the dirt. He shot her a quelling look as she stood in the entry, herbs piled in her palm. With a muttered oath, he snatched the gambeson. “I am donning my mail.” Dizziness threatened his balance as nausea gnawed in his gut. Irritation slammed through him when his fingers quivered from the effort to hold his gear.
    â€œYou are too weak to be moving about,” she snapped, “much less entertain ideas of travel.”
    â€œYou brought me in here?” he asked.
    She arched a cool brow as she walked toward him and then deposited the handful of leaves on the flat surface of a nearby rock. “ Oui . I am stronger than I look.”
    Mayhap, but with her slender frame and without help, the task of moving him hadna been easy. He was at least a hand’s length taller than her.
    â€œAnd you removed the arrow?” Her head made a slight tilt, but he noted that with each question, her expression grew more guarded. “How long have we been here?”
    â€œTwo days.”
    A sword’s wrath. Two days of much-needed travel lost.
    â€œYou had a fever,” she explained. “You will be weak and needing food and rest, not moving about.”
    He ignored her rebuke and donned the gambeson. His wounded shoulder burned from the effort. “What I will be needing or nae is my decision.”
    She scoffed. “If you had half as much wit as charm, you would