She wouldn’t let herself think of it.
When they reached a small clearing, he finally spoke. “I’ll take you to my brother’s fortress.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, dismounting from her horse. Though she had never been to Glen Arrin, she’d heard stories of how Alex MacKinloch had rebuilt it into a castle. “Do you live there now?”
“I returned, after you left.”
Words sprang to her lips, apologies for the choices she’d made. But then, she wasn’t sorry about her marriage. Edmon had been a good man, one who had given her the sanctuary she’d craved. Even if she hadn’t loved him, he’d made her feel safe.
“Did you ever marry?” The question blurted out before she could stop it. As soon as she spoke, she wished she hadn’t asked. Upon Dougal’s face, she saw the flare of resentment, and it only heightened her guilt.
“No.” The words were clipped. “Take the mare for a drink of water while I tend to the bodies.”
Celeste took the reins from him and guided both the mare and her own horse toward a small pool of water. She was grateful for the task, because it gave her a reason not to speak. But the longer the silence stretched, the more she realized that Dougal would never be the man to give her a child. Not after everything that had happened between them.
“Let me reward you for your help,” she repeated. “I have silver, or possibly—”
“You could not afford my price,” he retorted. “I’ll bring you home with me, and my brother Alex can decide what’s to be done with you.”
She was left standing there as he returned to the bodies of the men. What did he mean, ‘What’s to be done with you’? Was she naught but a sack of grain to be delivered?
There was no trace of the friendship that had once been between them or the man who had made her smile. Though she knew she deserved his anger, she wished there was a way to put it behind them. She wanted to begin again and forget the past hurts.
The mist surrounded her, and Celeste took a moment to calm her beating heart. For these next few days, she could pretend that there was no fighting over her husband’s lands, that her sister would be safe from harm. And perhaps, she could conceive a child that would save them all.
The idea made her want to weep, for it seemed so impossible. If there was any other way, she had to find it. Somehow.
In the distance, she scented smoke from Dougal’s fire. It occurred to her that they could not stay here long. The smoke would only draw attention to their location. When he returned to her side, she told him so. “It won’t matter, once we’re at Glen Arrin,” he said. “If there are men following you, they won’t intrude on my brother’s lands.”
“I don’t want to bring fighting to your family.” She lifted her gaze to his, taking a deep breath. “If you will keep Lord Eiloch away from me, I will stay only a few days. No longer.”
“And then what?” His knuckles grazed the mare’s face, rubbing her gently with affection.
“I don’t know. I’ll think of something. My sister needs me.” She couldn’t face that unknown future yet; not when she might lose everything.
Dougal’s expression said he didn’t believe her at all. “Running away won’t solve your problems. It will only draw your enemies to you.” His hands stilled upon the horse. “And this isn’t our fight, Lady Eiloch.”
Her mood saddened at his use of her title. “You called me Celeste, once.”
There was the faintest flash in his eyes, so fast she barely saw it. But it was a hint of interest, one that gave her hope.
“That was before you became someone else.”
Celeste studied his dark brown eyes for a long moment, wondering if there was any friendship left between them. It didn’t seem that he would forgive her for the choices she’d made.
At last she turned back to the stream, cupping her hands for a drink. The summer air was warm, and some of the water spilled from her lips, down her throat. His gaze followed the water droplets, though he spoke not a word.
Abruptly, he turned and mounted the mare. There was no saddle, but he guided the animal back toward the east. “Come with me, then. If that’s what you’re wanting.”
Chapter Two
Throughout the journey back to Glen Arrin, Dougal questioned what he was doing. He should take Celeste back to Eiloch where she belonged—not to his family. God help him, he’d never thought to see her again.
She was still the most exquisite woman he’d ever known. Her hair was an unusual color, a blend of fair strands and brown, almost as if polished wood were touched with gold. It was coiled into braids, pinned up on her head, and she’d discarded her veil somewhere. She wore no jewels, but her gown was made of finely woven wool, dark green like the leaves of the forest. Tall and slender, she carried herself like the noblewoman she’d become. In her blue eyes, he saw the way she was fighting back her fears.
He didn’t know what had happened with her husband, but the bitterness of jealousy had not left him. She’d grown more beautiful over these past two years, her slender body transformed into a mature woman’s. But she’d given herself to Edmon de Laurent. She’d made her choice, and it wasn’t him.
Honor prevented him from riding away. But as soon as he brought her to Glen Arrin, he intended to leave her with his brothers’ wives. Let them decide what to do with her, for he wanted no part of this woman.
