“Good night,” she said before stepping into the dark cave.
Jude nodded and moved in after her. He settled down at the opening. A part of him still didn’t trust she wouldn’t try to escape again. At least with him at the opening, he’d be able to stop her if she tried to flee once more.
Dropping to the ground, he found the driest spot he could. Although it was further from the fire than he would have liked, it was the only place that would alert him if she bolted.
It didn’t take long before he closed his eyes and let the sleep overtake him.
The bright rays from the sun pulled him from his slumber. He stretched out and rolled over to find the fire in the cave extinguished. He wasn’t concerned with that. He wanted to see Cleopatra. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he shot up.
Nae again.
Jumping to his feet, he sprang out of the cave and scanned the area.
“Mornin’, m’Laird,” Ronan said with a smile.
“Where is she?”
5
“Do you see them?” Cleopatra pointed to the river as the school of trout with their shimmering scales raced along the current.
Hugh smiled as he clapped his hands. Cleopatra smiled as Hugh stepped closer to the water’s edge. With the waters calmer than she had seen them last night, she wasn’t concerned for the boy.
“Can we catch them?” he asked looking over his shoulder to Cleopatra. Shrugging, she moved closer to the water. Kicking off her shoes, she hiked her skirt up to her shins and dipped her toe into the cold stream.
Water flowed over her toes as she giggled. “Are you coming in?”
“What happened?” Hugh asked as his eyes widened. Cleopatra glanced down to the binding around her leg and shrugged.
“It’s nothing, really,” she said stepping back onto the dry land and tossing her skirt down to hide the bindings.
“But ye’re bleedin’,” Hugh said moving to her. “How did that happen to ye?”
“She stumbled in the night,” Jude said as he walked over to Hugh and placed his hands on the boy’s shoulders. “The land is rough and riddled with nooks. One can easily trip. But I think it’s time we pack up.”
Why is he lying for me? Surely, he must have a reason. Or is he trying to spare me from his company’s wrath?
Cleopatra stole a glance at Jude and she instantly found her answer in his tender gaze. As if she could read his mind, she understood why he would never bring up such a thing again. Honor. She had shown bravery to venture away despite it being a feeble attempt. And he wasn’t about to admit that he almost lost her to the elements.
“Faither,” Hugh started to whine as Cleopatra glanced to Jude a moment before dropping her eyes. Relief washed through her. The last thing she wanted was to rehash last night’s events.
“Come, Hugh, we need to keep goin’. The castle is still far away and it’s best we get there sooner rather than later,” Jude said as Cleopatra slipped her shoes back on and tossed her skirt to her ankles. She straightened her shoulders and smiled.
“Come now,” she said. “Your father is right. If it is time to go, we need to head out. Hugh, will you help me clean the cave a bit and get things ready?”
Hugh’s face scrunched as he tilted his head. Pausing a moment, Cleopatra watched as Hugh debated on what he wanted to do before his face lit up.
“Aye, I’ll help,” he said, glancing up to see if his father approved. Jude gave a sharp nod, and the boy took off toward the cave.
“Ye’re good with him,” Jude said.
“Perhaps,” Cleopatra said, looking to the ground.
“How’s yer leg?” he asked arching an eyebrow as his eyes scanned the hem of her skirt.
“It is fine,” she said despite the throbbing pain running up her leg. She kept her eyes on him as her heart quickened to find he too was watching her. Heat flooded her face as she tucked the loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Jude reached out for her and the moment his fingers grazed her skin, she felt a spark shoot through her finger to her toes. Her heart quickened at his gentle touch as a pang of regret balled in her stomach.
“Cleo,” Hugh called out to her. Jude dropped his hand instantly and straightened his shoulders back as he turned his attention to Hugh. “Look, there. What is that?”
Smiling, Cleopatra walked over to Hugh and leaned down as the boy pointed out the birds flying overhead.
“Those are magpies,” Cleopatra said.
“How do ye ken so much?” Hugh asked looking at her in awe.
“Well,” Cleopatra started as she shifted her attention to Jude as he walked by them. “Books offer a lot of information. You’ll be surprised at what you can learn from them.”
Hugh dropped his head as the smile faded from his face. “I daenae ken how to read.”
“Perhaps the Laird will allow me to teach you,” Cleopatra said glancing to Jude. “After all, it would make you a better leader in the long run.”
Hugh looked up at her, eyes wide. The smile was back on his face and he beamed with hope. He rushed from her side as she rose and kept her eyes on Jude and Hugh. The bond between Jude and Hugh was more than what Cleopatra had with her father. It was as clear as day that they both adored each other. It made Cleopatra feel left out. A part of her soul ached for such a relationship.
I should not have said that. How cruel would it be if Jude denies his son the pleasures of reading? Would I go behind Jude’s back and teach the boy?
Cleopatra’s heart sank as she realized that Jude may indeed tell his son he can’t learn to read. Pressing her lips into a tight line, she waited for the swift answer. The shrill of laughter filled her ears and she whipped her head up.
“Aye,”
