Kennan couldn’t help but capture a lock and twirl the silken strand around his finger. He’d missed her company last night as he lay in his bed, alone in a chamber five times the size of the bothy. The lass was funny and, no matter the hardship she faced, she was always smiling and cheerful. “If she does, I ought to reprimand her back.” He drew the hair to his nose and inhaled. Good God, she smelled like woman and roses. Before his knees grew weak, he released the curl. “Your hair should always be thus unbound.”

Divana chuckled and reached toward his freshly shaven chin but drew her hand away before she touched him. “Ye look so different.”

“So do you.”

“Well, I ought to, I suppose. I had the most wonderful bath in all me days. Though I ken not what I’ll do if Fiona wants her shift and kirtle back because Mistress Barton burned me clothes.” Divana smoothed her hands down her rib cage. “I reckon I wouldn’t mind if she took these stays back, though. They’re miserably uncomfortable. I would have said that first if we were alone.”

He grinned, loving her candidness. Why weren’t more women so blatantly honest about such things? “I’ve oft wondered how women put up with those constricting contrivances.”

“Well, if I must wear them to be able to stay on at Achnacarry, I’ll do it.”

“I’m glad you’re happy here.”

“It is better than Hyskeir.” She blushed and looked to the floor. “Far better.”

“Agreed.”

“But what about Sergeant Corbyn and the dragoons? Are we safe?”

“If you ask me, there’s no safer fortress in all of Scotland than Achnacarry. And as I said before, they had no grounds on which to hold us.”

“Aside from the incident in Dundee.”

“Aye, well, there’s that.” He almost grasped her hand but stopped himself. “But I’ve strong allies. And my father is sending a missive to the colonel at Fort William for good measure.”

“Your da is close with the colonel?”

“They’re on amicable terms.”

“So no one will come and haul us to the pillory?”

“I hope not.” His fingers itched to touch her—to pull the woman into his arms and make promises he couldn’t keep. “Da says this is your clan now.”

“I like that.” With her hands behind her back she swayed, looking coy and ever so kissable. “Yesterday your men seemed overjoyed to see ye.”

“Och aye, and more were spared than I’d dared to dream.”

“Everyone is saying ye’ll go after Vane straightaway.”

Kennan nodded, a lump forming in his throat. But he’d told her he was a man of the sea—often gone. He mustn’t allow his feelings for her to overpower his resolve—not when there was so much at stake.

“So, when are ye leaving?”

“Dunno. I need to commandeer a ship first.”

“I wouldn’t think that would be easy to do.”

“Nay, but it helps to have—”

“Strong allies?”

“Aye.”

Her bottom lip pouted ever so slightly. “I do not want ye to go.”