“Does yer wife hunt?” William asked, surprise evident in his tone.
She glanced up again, but Darragh was regarding William with an expression of surprise. “Why would she not? She is very accomplished.”
“Almost like having a man with ye but for the pleasure of her body at night to keep ye warm.”
Despite her heated cheeks, Brighit managed a smile of appreciation for her husband. It would be wonderful to be alone with him, the two of them working alongside each other. She wondered if he would enjoy it as well.
“Would that please ye, wife? Be off in the woods with me hunting down small animals to kill for our meal?”
“I prefer the larger animals. It makes it so much more worthwhile.” She straightened her shoulders then shrugged. “But small ones are fine if that’s all ye can find.”
“Ha, now does that sound like a challenge to ye, William?” Darragh asked, his eyes steady on her.
“A bit like she’s saying she could fell a deer while ye’d only catch a rabbit.”
Brighit feigned outrage, but her eyes twinkled with mischief. “I said no such thing.”
Gwen laughed beside her. “I believe I heard the same thing.”
“Ye did not.” Brighit laughed. “I did not say I was a better hunter than my husband.”
Darragh’s smile widened and he crossed his arms about his chest. “Ah, but ’tis a challenge simple enough for me to take up and prove.”
Her brows raised, Brighit replied “It is that.”
“A fine idea,” He nodded to William. “and we’ll leave anon.”
Brighit’s excitement was uncontainable, dimmed only by the thought of trying to do the job hampered by her longléine. If she could learn how to cook soup, she could learn how to move with her long, covering rustling about her, announcing her presence to her prey.
The fresh, crusty bread was baked to perfection according to Gwen. She was quite outgoing in her praise of Brighit’s ability, making her feel her abilities were acceptable. Quite different from her experience at home. The loaves were packed up for them to take on their hunt. Among the vegetables Gwen had procured for the soup were the dreaded leeks, which Brighit quickly learned was one of Darragh’s favorite vegetables. She’d have to acquire a new appreciation for the filthy things. Shortly after adding them to the pot, she’d realized how thick and fragrant they made the broth.
Packing this as well, Darragh and Brighit were soon ready to head out. She settled on Darragh’s horse, their supplies packed in the bags hanging behind his legs.
“Do not worry for us if we are not back anon.” Darragh held a rein on either side of her while she sat sideways in front of him. He glanced at her and said, “We do not plan to hurry back.”
“There’s a path along the ridge where ye can see the herds as they’re moving. My favorite place to settle down to watch for the deer.”
“Then we will head there first.” Darragh nodded to Gwen and they were off.
The ground across the glen was saturated and that made their travel slow, but the rains had brightened their color, making the meadow they crossed seem almost dreamlike while they moved toward the mountains in the distance.
Brighit sat surrounded by Darragh’s warmth, and they took their time crossing the open field. The birds in the trees announced their arrival and the smell of the damp earth filled their senses. She sighed, content with the world, and rested her head on his chest for only a moment before drifting off with dreams of a hearth and family of her own.
Chapter 18
It was midday when Darragh awoke her with a gentle kiss to her cheek, her jaw, and finally to her lips. A bit stiff from the ride, she stretched her arms wide then wrapped them around his shoulders to offer her lips more fully to him.
“Mmm, exactly what I wanted.”
His firm hand at her back pressed her flush against his chest while his tongue teased hers, setting off sparks of longing low in her belly like a gentle breeze fanning a fire.
“Now that ye’ve slept most of the way, we’ll have to find a way to keep ye out of trouble.”
“Ha! I am quite refreshed enough to see to providing a feast for us both.”
They dismounted and he set about starting a fire. She took the supplies off the horse, seeing to its comfort before leaving it to graze nearby. Gwen had packed the leftover bread, some honey sweetened cream, and a hunk of hard cheese.
“Well mayhap not such a feast, but our bellies will be full.”
