Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy #2) - Donna Fletcher Page 0,3
had wanted no pity kiss from him even though she had wondered what it would feel like. She had no worry he would recognize her, since he probably hadn’t given a single thought to her in his time away. Except for her hand, of course, he would surely recognize her once he spotted it. Otherwise, he had barely paid heed to her years ago, and she had changed much. The love of her new home—the forest—had done that for her.
“I can describe Raven when last I saw her. She was near to turning ten and five years, but with five years having past, I can’t say what she looks like now,” Arran said. “She has hair the color of a raven, black. It was long and wavy, though often in disarray. Her blues eyes were striking, her complexion pale, her features lovely, but again that was five years ago. By chance has she passed this way?”
Purity had given her word to hold her tongue when it came to Raven and she would keep it, but she would not let Arran suffer because of it. She wasn’t prone to lies, though through the years she had learned that lies slipped easily from peoples’ tongues, sometimes out of necessity and sometimes purely for one’s own benefit. Still, she avoided lying when possible and offered a partial truth to him.
“There was a woman who could fit that description who passed this way with a group, but that was some time ago,” she said.
“Not recently though?”
If he was disappointed, he didn’t show it, nor did she hear it in his voice.
“Aye, not recently,” Purity confirmed and said no more on it, though was quick to offer her gratitude for his help. “I am grateful you appeared when you did. You saved me from a terrible fate and I much appreciate your kindness.” She wanted him to take his leave as quickly as possible, but it would be unkind of her not to offer food or drink for what he had done for her. “Please let me offer you some sustenance before you continue on your journey.”
He looked about to decline, a relief to Purity, when he seemed to change his mind.
“My thanks, that would be of great help,” he said.
“Come” She smiled and motioned with her right hand. “My cottage is not far.” She turned to the cat and dog. “King, Princess, home.”
He gave a whistle and a horse ambled out of the woods and came to stand beside him.
The cat jumped up on the large dog’s back and settled in the mix of brown and black hair, his face peeking between one brown ear and one black ear, then the dog ambled off.
“King seems a suitable name for your cat,” Arran said, with a glance at the black cat with a white-tipped tail and two white, front paws resting regally on the dog’s back.
Purity laughed lightly. “It’s a perfect name for him since he thinks himself royalty.”
“I’ve never seen a cat attack a man so viciously and without fear. He is extremely protective of you,” he said as they walked.
“I’ve raised him since he was a kitten,” she said as if that explained it, hoping he wouldn’t recall seeing King in the barn where she had often gone to play with the kittens when visiting the Clan MacKinnon. Or worse, recall the time he had caught her there after he and a woman had enjoyed a good poke. She had averted her eyes, somewhat, having had been caught there unaware until it had been too late for her to make her presence known. She’d been so embarrassed when discovered, not so Arran.
After a few minutes of walking silently, Arran spoke up. “I see now why King rides on the dogs back. I noticed the dog—”
“Princess,” Purity said, wanting the dog to know they discussed her so that she would be on alert.
“Princess,” Arran repeated, “is missing one eye. King helps her to maneuver the forest more easily and safely with the tap of his paw to the sides of her head giving her direction.”
Purity was amazed by his observation. Only those closely familiar with King and Princess knew that. No one else had ever realized that about the pair. That he did in such a short time warned her to be careful. Though what difference would it make if he did realize who she was? Probably no difference at all, and that was what hurt.