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shoulders and wrapped it tightly around her.
    Catriona staggered, her exhaustion catching her unexpectedly.
    “ Branan, she’s well-nigh unto dropping, ” Gavin said, refusing to release her.
    “ The lass said she thought there were five. If ye killed a pair , then we have them all. ”
    “ Wait, ” Catriona said. “ Is one a huntsman or forester? ”
    Branan scowled, gazing at the bodies. “ I doona think so, lass. Gavin? ”
    “ Serjants , by the look of those I killed. ”
    Catriona shook her head. “ Then one escaped. I was not sure of the count , remember. ”
    “ Medoubts — ” Branan began.
    “ Branan, ” she said wearily. “ They never fell more than an hour or two behind me , although I tried everything father taught me. You know how well I u nderstand these woods, yet they stayed on my trail like hounds. ”
    “ Aye, ” Gavin said tightly. “ There must be a forester. ”
    “ Mayhap they simply — ”
    “ Branan, you lack-wit, you know my sister’s talent, do not deny it simply because she is female. ”
    “ Aye, ” Branan said , giving her a wink. “ Mayhap the forester escaped. I’d wager he willna pursue , but return to Strickland for reinforcements. ”
    “ Aye, brother, ” Gavin said nodding.
    “ Where should we go? ”
    Catriona did not want to speak , but with her home destroyed , she knew it was their only answer. She gazed up at Branan, her heart breaking. 
    “ Perhaps we should seek shelter at the home of…my betrothed. ”
    Branan’s jaw tightened but he held her gaze. “ ’Tis a good idea, lass. I need to speak with him. ” He fell silent, his eyes staring into her soul.
    Catriona swallowed hard. He did not object to her betrothal. Only now did she realize her heart had clung to a tiny shred of hope , but it suddenly vanished , along with the rest of her foolish childhood fantasies.
    “ Catriona? ” Gavin asked. “ Can you ride? ”
    “ Not alone. ”
    “ Let me take her, ” Branan said.
    To her shock, Gavin released her and Branan lifted her into his arms. She squeezed her eyes shut and settled her head against his shoulder, vowing she would not cry , but tears leaked down her face no matter her effort .
    Branan and Gavin had come home, alive and well. She was no longer alone.

Chapter Three
    Brackenburgh
     
    As they rode, Branan wrapped his plaid around them both and held Catriona close. His excuse was to keep her warm , but a part of him savored the wonderful feel of her body against his. In the ten years Branan had been gone, Catriona had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. She only reached the middle of his chest and when Branan si had embraced her , he’d felt as if he could have wrap ped himself around her twice.
    Although petite, Catriona was strong and lithe. As a child she had mastered the bow and constantly hunted in the forest. Her father had ignored her unladylike behavior, secretly pleased with her skill. Now , she was strong , yet the feel of her feminine curves ignited Branan’s blood . Her face was no longer childlike in shape , but her angelic blue eyes were just as beautiful as he remembered. Her smile still dazzled him and her skin remained unblemished.
    Errant locks of red-gold hair brushed his cheek as she rested her head against his shoulder . He fought to keep from inhaling her sweet scent, a subtle odor of jasmine that enchanted him. He sighed softly, his arms tightening around her.
    “ I missed you, Branan, ” she whispered, burrowing closer.
    He glanced down at her , startled, then smiled. “ I missed ye too, lassie. ” He released his breath. “ Gavin told me about your betrothal. ”
    “ Papa refused to listen to me. I thought I could talk him out of it. I detest Richard. ”
    “ Why? ”
    “ Oh, he’s handsome enough, many a girl would kill to marry him , but he’s an absolute beast. He’s rude, arrogant, andsizrrogant thinks I’m something to be coddled. If he had his way, I’d be locked in a tower for the rest