They leapt up from where they were sleeping by the fire. Reid opened the door and they burst through, pelting down the corridor to another door which they began scratching at and whining plaintively.
Reid cursed under his breath.
“Come here!” he ordered in a hoarse whisper.
They ignored him. Damned beasts.
Pulling his door closed, he padded down the corridor after them. It was only when he reached them that he realized which door they were scratching at.
Abigail’s.
“Bad dogs!” he scolded them in a whisper. “Come away!”
But it was too late.
The door opened and there she stood, hair tousled from sleep, still wearing the dress she’d been in tonight.
“I...um...my apologies,” he stammered. “The dogs ran off before I could stop them.”
She gave a lopsided smile. “So that’s what the scratching was. For a minute I thought I had mice.” She yawned. “I fell asleep before I even got undressed. What time is it?”
“Late. Go back to bed, lass.”
“If it’s so late then why are you up?”
He shrugged. “I canna sleep. I was going to go for a walk.”
She considered him a moment then nodded. “Okay. I’ll come with you. I won’t get back to sleep now, anyway.”
He opened his mouth to deny her then snapped it closed again. The thought of Abigail’s company made a warm sensation uncurl in his gut. He stepped back and gave a bow.
“As my lady commands.”
She joined him in the corridor, shutting the door behind her. They set out, the dogs bounding excitedly ahead as he led her through the sleeping castle, out the main doors and across the courtyard to the gates. It was a cool, still night with a half-moon peeking between clouds, dusting the castle in silver. The guards didn’t even stir as he passed them, used to their lord’s nightly wanderings.
Abigail walked silently by his side as he led her down the road to the riverbank. Her hair shone in the moonlight, looking like liquid silver and he couldn’t help noticing the way her breasts rose and fell with her breath. He tore his eyes away and led her down to the wharf. The barges that had been tied up earlier were gone and they had the place to themselves. Just him and Abigail and the dogs who roved along with the river bank with their noses to the ground.
Reid halted at the end of the pier, gazing out over the still waters. Abigail came to stand next to him. He was acutely aware of her presence, of how close she stood to him. He even thought he could detect the faint warmth that came off her skin.
“It’s so peaceful,” she murmured, staring out over the river. “It could almost be another world.”
“Aye, different to the day time with all its noise and bluster and people.”
Abigail nodded then lowered herself onto the decking and sat with her legs dangling over the side. A wistful expression crossed her face, as though her thoughts had flown far away. After a moment, Reid sat by her side, the planks creaking as he settled his weight.
“What are ye thinking about, lass?”
She glanced at him and away again. “Home,” she answered in a quiet voice. “And how much I miss it.”
His stomach twisted at the pain in her voice. Pain that was his doing. Guilt pooled in his stomach. The last thing he wanted was to see Abigail upset, much less be the cause of it.
“Tell me about yer home,” he said softly.
“Manchester?” Her eyes took on that faraway look again. “It’s big. Noisy. Busy. So full of...life. What’s the word I’m looking for? Vibrant?”
“Unlike here?”
She turned to him. “No, that’s not what I meant.” She gestured at the gentle waters shimmering in the moonlight and the silhouette of the hills rising beyond. “This place is vibrant too but in a different way. It’s so...untamed. Wild. And beautiful.” She laughed softly. “Jeez, I never thought I would say that. I’m a city girl. I come out in hives if anyone mentions anything so rustic as a camping trip.”
