He looked into the expressive green eyes that were intently measuring everything he said. “I want ye as my wife.”
She wrapped her arms about his middle gently, as if she could somehow break him. “I dunna want to be left behind without ye.”
He pulled back on the reins and wrapped her in his arms. She belonged there. He had no doubt about that. All his aches were forgotten with her there.
The touch of his lips on the top of Thomasina’s head was such a simple gesture but it endeared him to her even more. He was a strong warrior, her Sean. She felt safe there in his arms. If she was the only way Niall could return to the clan, was it wrong for her to go with Sean? Was she condemning her brother to a solitary life?
Thomasina yearned to pull Sean closer, to hear his heartbeat but this was enough. To be surrounded by his strength. Encircled by his arms. Enclosed in his scent.
“I dunna ken if I can leave ye behind, Thomasina.”
His words were spoken in a deep voice. A voice filled with emotion. A voice of longing.
“I dunna ken if I can stay behind without ye.”
Sean exhaled on a long sigh almost as if he’d been holding his breath.
“Yer brother is a good man. He does not deserve to be ostracized because of yer father’s failings.” He tipped her chin up so he could see into her eyes. “I want ye by my side, Thomasina. Can ye take me as yer husband?”
The butterflies in her stomach soared into her chest. She reached up and kissed him. “Yea. I’ll take ye as my husband.”
Sean searched her face for something she didn’t understand. “Do you ken what that means?”
She frowned but nodded. “Yea.”
“It means I see to yer protection. Ye go where I go. Yer brother will nae longer have a say.”
Thomasina looked away. Her brother had always been her protector. She abided by his wishes. If she had to choose, there was no choice at all. She would follow her husband. A shiver of anticipation emanated from her gut. Turning toward Sean, she schooled her features. “I want ye as my husband, Sean.”
Sean crushed her to him with more strength than she would believe he held in his battered condition.
“Ye’ll not regret it. I promise ye.”
His words warmed her heart. With his lips touching her hair, his breath against her ear sent little waves of desire washing over her. He tipped her chin up to him and took her mouth. The kiss was a passionate sealing of their fates and his promise of what she would always mean to him.
Sean pulled away and smiled. Facing front, an arm still holding her against him, Sean urged the horse forward to catch up with Niall and Lachlann. Thomasina tightened her hold of him to keep from shifting away.
“How far to yer home?” Sean spoke without taking his eyes off the path.
Lachlann and Niall came into view.
“Just a few miles more.”
“Will we be there before dark?”
“Yea.”
He looked at her. “Hold tight.”
Sean raced the horse past Niall and Lachlann.
“Which way?” he asked.
Trepidation tripped up Thomasina’s spine at the speed he was traveling. She hugged him close. There would be no wedding night if he broke his neck falling from the horse.
“Just ahead. Mayhap ye should slow down a bit?”
She pointed to the round building off to the right. The trees hid it well. Sean slowed the horse to a stop and jumped down. He reached up to help her off. She slid down in front of him. His smile reached his eyes as he held her there against his body.
