Rescued by the Celtic Warrior (Roman Love ~ Pict Desire Series Book 1) (42 page)

Vindolanda was a burnt out shell and his
domus
had suffered the worst of the looting. The fortress needed days—weeks of repairs. There was no place fitting within the walls for her to bed down. To turn his back on her plight would be unconscionable.
If I let her stay, I’ll only be performing my duty as a Christian. ’Tis how any loyal Roman subject should act. That is all.

Groaning, he clapped his hands on his thighs. “Blast it all. Take my pallet. I shall sleep on my saddle blanket.”

She placed a dainty hand over her mouth.
Back to being a shy, fearful maid, I see. How many sides are there to this woman?
“Oh no, I couldn’t put ye out, m’lord.”

He held up a finger. “Not another word. I have been sleeping on it for a year, what is one more night? In the morning I will decide what is to be done with you.” His gaze fell to the knife in her belt. He held out his hand. “But I’ll take your blade first.”

Her eyes narrowed with the thin line of her lips. “If I give it to you, I’ll have no means to protect meself.”

“If I were going to harm you, you’d already be dead.” He spread his fingers demanding the knife. Titus didn’t rise to the post of centurion by being gullible. “I shall return it in the morn.”

Elspeth slowly removed the dagger with its scabbard, her jaw set. “And I’d not have tended yer wound had I wanted to cut yer throat.”

He snatched the weapon. She mightn’t be as helpless as she’d made out. After all, to slip into his chamber, she’d somehow made it through an entire contingent of men. He took a step back. “Unfortunately, in times of war, a soldier needs to take precautions.”

For a split second, he could see a fire burn in her eyes. But she said nothing and looked down again. Titus watched her for a moment longer, trying to figure out what was it about this woman that made him so curious. He shook his head. He would have Bacchus find her a home on the morrow.

ABOUT AMY JARECKI

Amy adores Scotland. Though she now resides in southwest Utah, she received her MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Winning multiple writing awards, she has focused on the genre of Scottish historical romance. Her favorite eras are the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries as well as the time of the Barbarian Conspiracy during the Roman occupation.

Other books by Amy Jarecki:

Captured by the Pirate Laird

The Highland Henchman

Beauty and the Barbarian

Return of the Highland Laird

Chihuahua Momma

Virtue

Boy Man Chief

Coming Soon from Turquoise Morning Press:

Celtic Maid

Amy loves to meet her readers. Here are some ways you can connect with her:

Visit her website and join her newsletter list (she only sends out a newsletter to announce a new release):
www.amyjarecki.com