“Brighit?” A light came up behind Darragh, casting a strange glow over his face. “Are ye not well?”
An older man had followed Darragh into the room with a candle, which he set in the iron holder along the wall before exiting the room and closing the door behind him.
Her body ached, but she forced herself to deny it. “I am over tired. Please help me to wash and dress. Has someone brought up our belongings?”
“Here is everything.” Darragh put down their sack and began pouring water from the pitcher into the bowl. “I came in twice to check on ye, but ye slept so heavy I did not wish to wake ye. Are ye certain ye are up to joining the others?”
“The others?” She splashed the water on her face, dipping the cloth along her throat and neck. When he lifted her heavy hair to aid her, she was caught by the passion in his gaze and her breath quickened.
“They are below and wish to meet ye.”
Standing now, she gave him her back so that he could help her unlace her gown. His tantalizingly gentle touch soothed her, and when his lips touched the sensitive area of her neck, she leaned against him ready for more.
“D’ye mind if they wait a bit longer?” Brighit slipped the gown down her arms and pushed it to the floor.
Darragh’s quiet gasp was followed by his hands tenderly exploring her breasts. “If ye do not mind.”
Excitement ignited low in her belly. “Then ye shall see to me properly? A feather bed once again beneath us?”
Pressing her back onto the mattress, he covered her, his kisses dropping along her warmed flesh like dew on a rose’s petal. “Mmm, I am entranced by the sight of ye in candlelight. Yer body calls to me.”
Brighit was overwhelmed by this sensual attack and submitted to his touch for her own pleasure. A short while later, she lay alongside his body, both of them still damp from their exertions.
“I do not believe I am ready to share ye with others.”
Brighit laughed. “I fear ’twill beyewho becomes lost tome. I know no one here.”
“My men have arrived. Ye know them.”
She gave him a withering look.
“These warriors are friends to ye, like family, but I do not know them. They may not be as cordial as ye and my father are.”
Darragh beamed. “Ye place me in the same standing as yer father?”
Her eyes widened. “Certainly. Why would I not? Ye are as brave and honorable.”
With a start, Brighit realized he’d believed—still—that she thought less of him. “I am well pleased with ye as my husband, Darragh.”
Moving over her, he scooped her into his arms to hold her close and kissed her passionately, sparking little flames that had just begun to cool. She groaned while he continued his assault of her mouth, his hands moving along her curves in a worshipful manner. When he broke the kiss, he was breathing heavy.
“Ye have made me most happy with yer declaration.” He rubbed her nose along hers.
“I should have said so sooner.”
“Ye have said so now.” Darragh looked down into her face. “Are ye ready to join the others?”
“But…” Brighit hated to claim he hadn’t finished what he’d started when he had so thoroughly loved her not fifteen minutes earlier. It seemed such a wanton thing to do. “Will ye finish this later?”
Her whining voice was met with a loud laugh. “Try to stop me.”
“Then I will do as ye ask.”
He helped her to wash and dress, seeing to her hair himself, which nearly forestalled their joining the others for a second time. A knock at the door reminded them others awaited them.
“We will be down anon.” Darragh called to the faceless voice at the door. “Reidh?”
“I am.”
