Catherine and the Captain

Catherine's lips tightened at the tone of Anne's voice. She was speaking to her as if she were a servant. But she said nothing, only turned and walked out the door after patting Anne reassuringly on the shoulder.

She hurried down the stairs, not even bothering to tuck her hair back into place. She had left it unbound, not expecting visitors, and when she entered the courtyard, it tumbled about her shoulders in an unruly cloud of sable.

It seemed that Catherine became aware of Fallon at the same time he looked up to see her walking across the courtyard. She could see his eyes flick over her from head to toe and she thought she saw a glimmer of distaste pass over his features. Hell and damnation. The man always seems to have me at a disadvantage, Catherine thought furiously. I haven't used vulgar language, since that day at Dilham and just the sight of him has me swearing like a soldier.

At that moment, Fallon removed his helm, shaking his long, black hair loose. It is him! Catherine screamed in her mind, not sure that she had not screamed out loud. The thought of Dilham, coupled with his actions, made the connection in her mind, and she knew without a doubt that Fallon was the lion of her nightmares.

Kyle was watching Catherine intently. First, she blushed to the roots of her hair. Then she stopped dead in her tracks and her face turned a deathly white. Afraid that she was about to swoon, he started toward her, hoping to reach her before she fell to the ground and injured herself.

Seeing Kyle bearing down on her, Catherine's mind went blank with horror and she fainted straight into his arms.