“Ye can if ye want and ye ken that she will be weel guarded.”
“Och, aye, I ken it, but ’tis best if she goes with me. If I leave her here I risk her doing something foolish. She would ken it wasnae wise to leave here on her own as she isnae a dim-witted lass, but her need to be with those two boys would have her doing it anyway.”
“Still hoping that one good look at Scarglas will be enough to send the bastards back to France?”
“Aye, but, if Lucette’s arrogance and disdain for us is aught to go by, they may still try. Sad to say, despite the peace Ewan has brought us, there are a lot of men about who wouldnae mind raising a sword against us. And to be offered coin to do so? They would grasp that chance with both hands.”
“Men who only fight for the coin offered are quick to retreat,” said Sigimor. “Any those Frenchmen find near to Scarglas will also ken the reputation of the MacFingals as being excellent fighters. A reputation ye earned.”
Brian nodded in acknowledgment of that compliment. “I dinnae anticipate a long battle.”
“But ye do anticipate a fight, aye?”
“I cannae rid myself of the conviction that they will try at least once.”
“Mayhap a few of my lads will ride over and lend a hand.”
“Ye mean they will follow us.”
Sigimor shrugged. “Nay too close. If naught else, a few of my lads riding toward Scarglas will draw the eye more than two people riding in that direction.”
“That could put them in danger, Sigimor,” Brian said in protest, even though the thought of a diversion like that intrigued him and he could easily see its value.
“’Tis nay only the MacFingals who can be as elusive as smoke.”
“’Tis in the blood,” Brian agreed, and then he stood up. “Best I seek my bed now. I intend to ride as long and as hard as I can without causing Arianna any further injury.” He grimaced. “And what Lucette did to her when he held her is still too fresh in my mind for me to be able to sleep until we reach the safety of Scarglas.”
“Rest weel this night then.”
Brian paused in the doorway and looked at Sigimor. “No word from the Murrays yet, aye?”
“Nay. I wouldnae be surprised if ye find a few at Scarglas when ye get there, though.”
“Ah, weel, I am certain Arianna will be pleased to see some of her kinsmen.”
He shut the door on Sigimor’s laughter and headed for the bedchamber he shared with Arianna. Brian hoped she had been telling the truth when she had claimed to be healing nicely. He did not care if he had to be as gentle with her as if she were made of glass; he intended to make love to her tonight. There could be no chance to do so on the journey to Scarglas and, if some of her family were already there, there would be no chance for lovemaking once he and Arianna arrived.
The sight of her sitting before the fire brushing out her hair made his gut clench with hunger as he entered the bedchamber and shut the door behind him. She wore only her shift and her strong, slim arms were bared to view, a few fading bruises still marring her fair skin. Brian looked at her small bare feet peeking out from beneath the hem of her shift and shook his head. He even found the sight of those delicate feet enough to rouse his interest.
“I see ye are ready to leave in the morning,” he said, and nodded toward her pack.
“Aye.” She watched him warily as she began to braid her hair. “I thought that was what we had decided.”
“It was. Cannae say I like it but, aye, it was decided. There is nay avoiding it, is there? The need for rest, the need to heal, cannae be allowed to stop us. There is a battle coming.”
“Why?” She stood up to face him. “Ye tell me Scarglas is strong, Brian. Sigimor says the same. So why would Amiel and the DeVeaux attempt to knock down a keep that is so strong? Especially when they dinnae have many of their own men and will need to rely upon hirelings. Why would they attack?”
Brian wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin upon her head. “I have no idea.” He smiled when she laughed softly. “I may be wrong. There may be no battle. E’en if Lucette is mad enough to attempt an attack upon Scarglas, the DeVeaux may have the wit to decide that no wee scrap of land is worth it.”
Arianna put her arms around his waist. “Weel, I shall put the whole mad puzzle out of my mind and just wait until we reach Scarglas and I can see what is happening for myself.”
He picked her up and took her to the bed, setting her down gently. The way she watched him as he shed his clothes had his desire for her running hot in his veins. There was a light flush upon her cheeks and her eyes had darkened with a desire to match his own. They might have to make love very carefully in deference to her wounds, but her welcome was all he needed.
It puzzled Arianna that the sight of Brian naked could affect her so. He was, without question, a very fine specimen of manhood. Tall, lean, and muscular, his skin a light tan as if he bathed naked in the sun. His legs were long, well shaped, and strong. He was not as hairy as some men were, having only a small patch of hair on his broad chest, a thin line of hair from his navel to his groin where black curls cushioned his manhood when it was not standing long and proud as it was at the moment. There was enough hair on his forearms and legs to be manly. She decided he was the kind of man any woman would like to look at, one who could easily stir any woman’s interest.
Claud had also been a fine-looking man, however, she reminded herself. Yet, she had never once felt her heart race at the sight of him. Neither had her hands itched to touch Claud’s skin as they did to touch Brian’s. She certainly had not found Claud’s manhood of any great interest. The sight of a naked Brian, however, caused her to react in all of those ways. It also caused her to think on all the things she would like to do to that beautiful, strong body.
She made no protest when he joined her in the bed and quickly removed her shift, tossing it far out of her reach. Arianna liked to be flesh to flesh with him. He kissed her and she began to stroke that body she so admired. The soft growl of appreciation that escaped him told her he liked her daring.
