I’d best think of something else to talk about afore I go off and kiss him again.

“Tell me more about Achnacarry.”

“In the first place, you’ll be safe there.”

“Even if Sergeant Corbyn comes after us?”

“He might try, but we are not ailing, and no matter what he said about the lieutenant’s orders, he cannot hold us without grounds. I highly suspect the only orders Corbyn was acting on were his own.”

“Even though ye had the mishap on the pier in Dundee?”

“Even then. And if that matter should ever return to haunt me, I’m certain the Earl of Mar will petition the queen for a pardon.”

Divana shifted to ease the pain in her backside from riding for so long. “It must be nice to have such lofty acquaintances.”

“It is,” Kennan said, his voice straining. He must be a wee bit saddle sore as well.

“Do ye think the folk in Achnacarry will like me?”

“You?” He chuckled. “Och, you’re the most likeable lass I’ve ever met. My kin will adore you. Besides, ’tis like an enormous family. Da has hundreds of servants.”

“Are they all kin?”

“They’re all loyal to Clan Cameron. My father can raise an army of a thousand men with a snap of his fingers.”

“He must be a powerful laird.”

“He is—old and wise as well. Some say he’ll never die, the Great Lochiel they call him.” The rushing of a river filled the air. “This is where the footing can be a bit dicey. ’Tis a blessing we have a clear night and a bright moon to travel by.”

“It is a blessing. If only we had a blanket, we’d both be toasty warm.” She bit her lip. The blanket had been used for their escape. She shouldn’t have mentioned it.

“Are you cold, lass?”

“A little, though it would be far worse without your arms around me.” She glanced up to his face. The whites of his eyes looked brighter and the green almost black.

“When we arrive I’ll see to it you have new clothes, a cloak, and all the blankets you want.”

“Ye would do that for me?”

“You took me in when I was half-drowned, did you not?”

“Aye.” She brushed a finger over his beard, the hair soft and curly. “Will I oft see ye there?”

“Truth be told, I’m not oft home and I—” He pursed his lips.

“You what?”

“I’ve a score to settle with Jackson Vane.”

“But he’s far away. Do ye nay need a new ship?”

His expression grew distant with his curt nod. “A ship and a crew.”

“I don’t suppose your da has a spare sea galley he can lend ye.”

“Do not sound so certain. My da is as shrewd as he is wise.”

“Nay unlike his son I reckon.”

“Nay, I’m half the man my father is. Besides, it will take a bigger ship than a sea galley to find that bastard,” Kennan said with a low growl followed by an uncomfortable silence.