Alex whispered that question close to her ear. The concern in his voice was most apparent.
'No,' she answered.
'Then why are you trembling?'
'Because I'm cold.'
She realized the contradiction in her answers and let out a little sigh. If Alex thought she wasn't making any sense, he was kind enough not to mention it. He didn't speak another word to her that long afternoon, and she didn't speak to him.
She couldn't seem to get comfortable in his arms, either. Her back brushed against his chest several times, but she couldn't relax enough to lean back against him.
By nightfall she was so exhausted she would barely keep her eyes open. They stopped at a beautiful stone cottage with a thatched roof, nestled in the side of the mountain. Thick ivy covered the south side of the structure and a stone path led all the way from the barn adjacent to the front door of the cottage.
A gray-haired man with a thick beard and wide shoulders stood in the entrance. He smiled in greeting and hurried outside.
Judith saw the woman hovering in the doorway. She had been standing behind her husband, but when he moved forward, she backed into the shadows.
'We'll be spending the night here,' Alex said. He dismounted, then reached up to assist her. 'You'll have a roof over your head and a good night's rest.'
She nodded. Alex, she decided, was a truly compassionate man. He'd helped her to the ground, but he didn't let go of her. He knew she'd fall on her face if he did. He didn't mention her pitiful condition, and even allowed her to hold on to his arms until she could make her legs quit shaking. His hands held her by her waist and she knew he could feel her trembling.
'Get your hands off her, Alex.'
Iain's hard voice came from behind Judith. Alex immediately let go. Her knees buckled. Iain caught her from behind just as she was falling forward. His left arm was tightly wrapped around her waist and he wasn't at all gentle when he pulled her to his side. Alex backed away from his laird's glare, then turned to walk toward the cottage.
Iain continued to stand there holding Judith for several more minutes. Her shoulders were pressed tightly against his chest. She kept her head bowed. She was so weary she wanted to close her eyes and let him carry her inside. That wouldn't have been proper, of course.
How could a man smell so wonderful after such a long day's ride? Iain's scent was a combination of the clean outdoors… and male. Heat radiated from him. She was drawn to his warmth, and when she realized that fact, she knew she should pull away.
He was as distant as the storm brewing in the south. Judith knew he was only holding her because she needed his assistance. He felt responsible for her and was simply doing his duty.
'Thank you for your help,' she said. 'You may let go of me now. I've recovered.'
She tried to push his arm away. He had other intentions. He half turned her in his arms, then nudged her chin up.
He was smiling. She didn't know what to make of that. He'd been acting like a disgruntled bear just minutes before, though she admitted to herself that Alex had been his target.
'I'll let go of you when I want to,' he explained in a soft whisper. 'Not when you give me permission to, Judith.'
His arrogance was outrageous. 'And when do you suppose that will be?' she asked. 'Or am I allowed to ask?'
He raised an eyebrow over the irritation in her voice. Then he shook his head at her. 'You're angry with me,' he said. 'Tell me why.'
She tried to push his hand away from her chin but gave up when he squeezed her jaw.
'I'm not letting go until you tell me why you're upset,' he told her.
'You kissed me.'
'You kissed me too.'
'Yes, I did,' she admitted. 'I'm not sorry either. What think you of that?'
The challenge was there, in her voice and her eyes. A man could forget his every thought if he allowed himself to be captured by her beauty. That thought settled in his mind even as he answered her. 'I'm not sorry either.'
She gave him a disgruntled look. 'Perhaps you weren't sorry at the time, but you're sorry now, aren't you?' He shrugged. She felt like kicking him. 'You'd better not touch me again, Iain.'
'Don't give me orders, lass.'
His voice had taken on a hard edge. She ignored it. 'When it comes to kissing me, I can give all the orders I want to. I don't belong to you,' she added in a much softer tone of voice.
He was looking like he wanted to throttle her. She decided she'd been a little too high-handed with him. Iain seemed to have a prickly nature.
'I didn't mean to sound surly,' she began. 'And I know you must be used to getting your way, because you're a laird and all. Still, as an outsider, I really shouldn't have to obey any of your commands,' she continued in a reasonable tone of voice. 'In this instance, as a guest-'
She stopped trying to explain when he shook his head at her. 'Judith, do you agree that while you're in my brother's home, you'll be under his protection?'
'Yes.'
He nodded. He smiled too. He acted as though he'd just won an important argument, and she wasn't even certain what the topic had been.
He let go of her and walked away. She chased after him. When she reached his side, she grabbed hold of his hand. He immediately stopped.
'Yes?' he asked.
'Why are you smiling?'
'Because you just agreed with me.'
'How?'
She wasn't deliberately trying to bait him. He could see the confusion in her gaze. 'Until you return to England, I'm responsible for you. You will follow all my commands,' he added with a nod. 'That's what you just agreed to do.'
She shook her head. The man was daft. How in heaven's name had her announcement that he couldn't kiss her ever again led to this twisted conclusion?
'I agreed to no such thing,' she said.
She hadn't let go of his hand. He doubted she realized she was still holding on to him. He could have pulled away. He didn't.
'You told me I'd be under Patrick's protection,' she reminded him. 'Therefore, he would be responsible for me, Iain, not you.'
'Yes,' he agreed. 'But I'm laird and Patrick therefore answers to me. Now do you understand?'
She pulled her hand away. 'I understand you think that both you and Patrick can give me orders,' she replied. 'That's what I understand.'
He smiled. He nodded, too. She burst into laughter. He couldn't imagine what had caused that response.
He wasn't left guessing long.
'Does that mean that you and Patrick are both accountable for all my actions?'
He nodded. 'My transgressions become yours?' He clasped his hands behind his back and frowned down at her. 'Do you plan to cause mischief?'
'Oh, no, of course not,' she answered in a rush. 'I'm really very thankful to you for allowing me to come to your home, and I certainly don't wish to cause any problems.'
'Your smile makes me wonder about your sincerity,' he remarked.
'I'm smiling for a different reason altogether,' she explained. 'I've just realized what an illogical man you are,' she added with a nod, when he looked so incredulous.
'I'm not in the least illogical,' he snapped.
