Across the moor and up into the hills they rode, to a cave Callum had found on patrol. Here Callum made a pallet for Mari and covered her with his plaid. He stepped outside long enough to send the other dragoons on to Hamilton. It was not far, just southeast of Glasgow, but Mari could travel no farther. He and Mari would stay here for now and catch up to them later.
She lay on her side, curled up in pain. “I ken it’s not cold, but I cannae stop shaking,” she said through chattering teeth.
He sat leaning back against the cave wall and gently pulled her back against him, and enfolded her in his arms. She leaned back into the warmth of his body and trembled. As a sharp pain shot through her, she gripped his arms as she called out his name.
“Aye, lass?”
“I’m sorry.”
“God’s teeth, love, wh
