“Thor, ye ken I would live a lifetime in that chamber again if it kept ye safe. We didna linger, and I didna look around.”
“Matthew was right. Kenning where they were sending me was worse than telling me I would die in an oubliette.”
“That’s why I kenned where ye would be. These are Gunn birlinns that we borrowed. I ken the two families. They’re good people, and they depend on these boats for their livelihood. We canna keep them. If all worked out, Albert got Gaisgeach and Dominic’s horse out. He’ll meet us at the coast.”
“I ken what I want, wee one. What do ye want?”
“Let’s go home, Thor.”
CHAPTER21
Thor always loved spying Dunbeath perched on the promontory. It meant he was finally home, and he loved no place better. But never had he been more grateful than at that moment. Greer rode in front of him on his steed, and he’d been content throughout the next day as they made their way south after a night hiding from Gunn patrols. It hadn’t taken long for someone to notice Thor and Dominic were missing. They’d spent hours evading their pursuers who didn’t desist once it grew dark. Everyone in their party, Sinclairs and Mackays, were exhausted, but he knew they were just as relieved to see Dunbeath as he was.
The only person who seemed more on edge as they drew closer was Greer. Thor hadn’t let her out of arm’s reach except for when they both needed a moment of privacy. Otherwise, they’d held hands, embraced, or he’d kept an arm around her shoulders or waist. He refused to let go lest they get separated again. She hadn’t complained, but now he sensed she wished she were anywhere else.
“Wee one?” Thor kept his voice low as his lips brushed her ear.
“I’m scared. The last time I arrived, all I could think aboot was warning yer family. It’s vera different now.”
“Aye. Ye’re ma wife.” Thor squeezed her and kissed her cheek.
“And what if ye’re the only one who’s happy aboot that?”
“Are ye nae happy aboot it anymore?”
Greer heard the ounce of hurt and uncertainty that Thor’s humor couldn’t hide. “I’ve never been happier aboot aught else. But that doesnae mean people will accept me.”
“Uncle Tristan and ma cousins accepted ye without a second thought.”
“They dinna ken what Keenan and Dominic ken.”
“Lass, they will take what they’ve heard to the grave. Nae only have they both told me that, but I already kenned. They’ve been ma friend since we were weans. They wouldnae do that to me as a friend. But they also wouldnae do it to me as a fellow warrior and their future laird. They ken how unwise it would be to cross me when it comes to the woman I love. They’re nae foolish men. That’s why I agreed to them riding with us, and I’m glad they did.”
“But what if they let it slip accidentally? What if people hear some other way? They’ll brand me a whore. They’ll believe I’ll always be that way. They’ll question any bairn I bear ye. What if they question whether a son is really yer heir? What if—”
Thor’s forefinger and thumb turned her head toward his. He silenced her with a kiss that left her clutching a handful of his leine and pulling him back to her when he tried to lean away.
“What if they complain to yer grandda? What if they shun me? What if—”
“Since kissing ye didna calm ye, mayhap I should do something else.” Thor had wrapped the extra length of plaid from hisbreacan feilearound Greer to keep her warm against the coastal wind. Now it afforded him privacy to slip his hand beneath her mound. “If I pull yer skirts out of the way, will I find ye ready for me?”
“Ye ken ye always will. But there are people around us. I’m worried aboot people calling me a whore, and ye wish to ravish me in public.”
“I wish to settle yer nerves and let ye relax. Lean back against me, Wife.”
“Are ye commanding me to let ye pleasure me, Husband?”
“Aye.”
“I am forever yer obedient wife.”
Thor snorted. “Hardly. But ye can be for right now.” He helped her pull her skirts out of the way without making it obvious what she was doing beneath the plaid. “We only have five minutes until we’re at the gate.”
“I only need one. Last night behind the tree wasna enough.”
They’d sneaked away from where the Sinclairs and Mackays intended to make camp. Thor’s fingers had just brought her to release, and they were pushing his plaid out of the way, when a guard sounded the warning. They’d scrambled to adjust their clothes and get to their horses. When Greer grew too tired to ride on her own at dawn, Thor lifted her onto his horse where she napped.
Now he slid his fingers between her thighs and into her slick heat. Her breath caught as his thumb brushed her pearl. The rocking motion from the horse’s gait helped him caress the smooth skin of her sheath. She fought not to writhe as her desire urged her to move on his hand.
