“I want to discover that with you. What’s your saint’s day? What’s your favorite color? What’s your favorite dance? There’s naught I don’t want to know aboot you.” Ewan’s earnestness made Allyson smile.
“My favorite color is violet, and my favorite dance is the Strathprey.”
“You like the lively dances. I’ve witnessed as much. You always look to be enjoying yourself. But you still haven’t told me your saint’s day.”
Allyson’s smile dropped, and she turned her head away. “I don’t have one. Or rather I share mine with Alice, but since my name isn’t Alice, just a close version, they didn’t include me in the celebration.”
“What? I mean, I realize your name is similar to your sister’s, but the saint’s name was Aleydis. Alice and Allyson are our versions.”
Allyson shrugged. It was impossible for her to change the past, no matter what she might want. “June fifteenth.”
“That’s your saint’s day? We will be away from here, and I will be certain we celebrate.”
“Ewan, that’s three months from now. You’ll be at Huntley, and I’ll be—wherever.”
“You’re that opposed to marrying me?”
“No, but I’m being realistic.”
“Would you allow me to court you? There’s still more than a moon before the end of Lent. We can’t marry until after Easter, so will you give me that time? If, at the end, you don’t wish to marry me, then I will insist the king release you. If you need more time, then I will convince our fathers and the king. If you do want to marry me, then we’ll go to Huntley and be wed there.”
Allyson mulled over what Ewan said. She desperately wanted to believe him. If he forgave her what she’d done, it was a step in the right direction, but she was scared to trust him. She accepted she didn’t want him to leave Redheugh as long as she had to remain, and she’d rather he court her away from Stirling Castle. With some hesitation, she nodded.
“I’d like us to court, Ewan. I can’t make any promises yet, but I’m willing to discover if we suit. If you’re willing to continue to get to know me after you’ve seen me at my worst, then I’m willing to continue to get to know you, too.”
Ewan pressed a soft kiss to Allyson’s lips. He wanted to lay her on the tapestry and make love to her, but it was hardly the right time to do that when she’d just consented to consider marrying him despite her fears that he only lusted after her. He accepted the short kiss as a pledge to at least try to move forward.
“Are you tired, aingeal? I’ll escort you to your chamber.”
“I’m tired, but I won’t sleep. Not after earlier. You should find your bed and rest, but I’m going to stay and read.”
“Alone? All night?” Ewan looked about the attic, and while Allyson had added a shawl over her kirtle, it was hardly warm enough to remain there without a blanket since there was no fireplace. “You’ll freeze.”
“I’ll be all right. I’ve spent many nights up here, and I’m yet to turn into an icicle.”
Ewan shook his head as he unpinned the extra length of plaid from his shoulder. “Choose the book, Ally and sit next to me.” He maneuvered himself to lean against a wall, and when Allyson settled next to him, he wrapped her in the extra length, then wrapped his arm around her. She leaned against his chest and stifled a yawn. Perhaps she was more tired than she realized, but she was reluctant to give up the warmth and comfort Ewan offered. The sensations were unlike anything she’d experienced before. Neither of her parents offered her comfort, and the embraces she received at court were either perfunctory or from men attempting to kiss her. Ewan rested his head against the wall with his eyes closed.
“You don’t have to sleep sitting here. Ewan, really I’m quite content to be on my own.”
“Is that what you’d prefer?” He opened his eyes and peered down at her. She shook her head slowly, so he pulled her closer and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Read, Ally.”
Allyson settled once more and opened her favorite book. Ewan opened one eye a crack and glanced at what Allyson chose. It surprised him when she’d picked a book on Greek astronomers. He supposed he expected her to read something likeTristan and Isolde, or another tale of courtly love.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ewan came awake to the feel of a woman curled beside him. He’d woken that way many times over the years, but he was often disoriented and had to jog his memory to recall where he was and who he was with. He was certain the instant his mind came back to the land of the living that he lay with Allyson pressed against him. Nothing had ever felt righter than the feel of her as she slumbered next to him. Sometime in the middle of the night, he must have moved them once they were both asleep. He didn’t recall it happening, but his back was still against the wall except he was horizontal, and Allyson’s behind was rubbing against his groin. His cock woke before he did, and his bollocks ached for him to be inside her. He trailed his hand over her ribs and hip to her backside and closed his eyes once more.
Allyson stirred when she felt a hand rest on her bottom. She froze as she tried to remember where she was and how someone much larger than her was asleep behind her. The memory of bringing Ewan to the attic and settling next to him to read flooded her mind. She kept her eyes closed as she absorbed the heat Ewan produced as she lay with his arm under her head and his body cocooned around hers. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so protected and comfortable as she did in that moment. She chided herself for enjoying a man’s body next to her when she wasn’t married to him, but she wouldn’t deny that she didn’t want to move.
As long as I remain still, perhaps he won’t notice that I’m awake, and we can stay like this forever.
Allyson relaxed against Ewan’s body but was unprepared for the hand that rested on her backside to slide around her waist and pull her tighter. She gasped before rolling to face him.
“Good morn, Ally. Did you sleep well?” Ewan’s voice was deeper and raspier than normal, telling Allyson he hadn’t been awake long either. “I’m sure I’ve never slept better.”
Allyson tried to draw away, but the effort was halfhearted. Ewan brushed away hair tangled around her neck and pressed a kiss to her cheek. She sucked in a shallow breath before nodding. Ewan’s smile melted her heart. It wasn’t the roguish one she’d seen so many times at court, nor was it the condescending one she’d received while they argued in the Privy Council chamber. This one was warm, as though it was just for her, but a thought invaded her mind and had her scrambling to back away. Her senses, including suspicions, returned now that she wasn’t overwrought like the night before.
“What’s the matter? I promise I haven’t been untoward. I didn’t even realize you’d fallen asleep until just a moment ago.” Ewan raised the hand that had held Allyson against him to show he didn’t intend to trap her.
