“We will go and search for her, then,” he handed her the broth and a hunk of brown bread. “’Tis not safe for her to be traveling the woods alone, although from what I have seen she can take care of herself.”
Peyton sipped the broth and devoured the bread; she was starving. Alec stood several feet away, chewing on a large piece of bread and looking thoughtful. “Are your sister’s ideas on marriage the same as yours?”
“Very much so,” Peyton said firmly. “She doesn’t like men.”
Alec snorted, chewing. “My sister’s ideas are much the same.”
“I did not know you had a sister.”
Alec finished the bread and brushed the crumbs off his hands. “I have a younger sister and an older brother.”
Peyton drank the last of the broth, feeling warm and satisfied by the food. Alec cleaned up the remnants of the meal and stashed them away in his satchel.
Dousing the fire, he emitted a piercing whistle from between his teeth and the charger bolted from its grazing spot in the bramble, trotting towards his master. Peyton watched, impressed, as the massive horse came to a halt and Alec strapped the bag onto the saddle. When he was finished, he turned to Peyton expectantly.
“Shall we go, lady? My father will be most anxious to see you.”
Begrudgingly, Peyton rose. “Most anxious to take a tassel whip to my backside, I shall wager.”
Alec grinned as he held out his hand. “If he is going to lash anyone, ’twill be me. And I shall take your lashes for you, have no fear.”
“Why do you say that?” she put her hand in his, feeling the heated energy flow between them. How on earth a touch could affect her so powerfully was baffling.
Alec lifted her onto the destrier, avoiding her gaze. “Because I…. well, it’s not important. He shall be ecstatic to hear that you have agreed to our betrothal.”
He was evading her question and she reached out her hand, pulling his great head up to face her. Timid fingers absently touched his stubbled jaw. “Because why? If we are to be married, my lord, I will demand one thing from my husband. That you always be truthful with me. I do not like secrets or lies.”
He met her gaze, feeling himself being devoured by her great sapphire eyes. She was so very fragile and delicate in appearance, like a beautiful blossom. But her words were sound and firm, and he was compelled to agree with the philosophy; honesty was an important trait in a marriage. He cleared his throat, forcing reluctant words to his lips.
“Because I was running away. I was fleeing north because my father and I had an argument.”
Peyton looked at him closely, seeing his sheepish expression. A faint smile creased her lips. “Because of me?”
He nodded hesitantly. “I did not want to marry you and he was insistent that I accept the betrothal. Hell, I took to the woods because I thought the soldiers on the road had come after me. ’Twas only by chance that I came across you.”
Her smile broadened. “Then it would seem that your father will be glad to see the both of us.”
He returned her smile sheepishly, embarrassed at his admission.
“I still do not want to marry you,” she said after a moment.
“And I do not want to marry you.”
“Then why are we agreeing to this betrothal?”
He looked thoughtful a moment. “I do not know. I suppose because I must marry eventually, and so must you. We might as well marry each other and breed an entire keep full of Summerlin heirs.”
“We will be living at St. Cloven. It is not that big.”
“It will be after I have expanded the base. I have got big plans for my keep, my lady.”
“It’s my keep, my lord.”
He lifted an eyebrow at her, moving to mount the charger. “Not for long.”
He mounted behind her, settling himself in the saddle and then pulling her soft bottom onto his thighs. She squirmed innocently to find a comfortable position, but Alec was quickly succumbing to misery; feeling her supple backside against his thighs and groin was torture at the very least. He waited with thin patience, biting off a groan as she fussed.
“Are you finished?” he demanded weakly.
