The king could hardly refuse her, after all.The Rivenloch clan was the king’s most powerful border ally.He would wish to keep such valuable vassals happy.And the fact that Dunlop himself was in favor of the match would surely work in everyone’s favor.
But how could Hew explain that he’d fallen truly in love once and for all?Would anyone believe him?The best he could do was describe Carenza.
That had been nigh impossible to do in the space of a missive.Her qualities were infinite.Her beauty was inexpressible.Her character and charm and kindness were limitless.He could have spent a lifetime, writing tome after tome in tribute to Lady Carenza of Dunlop.Yet he dared not waste precious time trying to capture all of her on a single page.
Instead, he settled for a few heartfelt lines.They would have to suffice to convince Laird Deirdre that Carenza was The One.That Hew intended to make her his bride.That he expected the laird to procure the king’s permission for the wedding.
She is beautiful and clever,he wrote,wise and sweet, helpful and generous.She has a gentle nature and a ready smile.A man could hope for no more perfect a wife.
Though it seemed early for a response, Hew couldn’t help but hope that the missive that had arrived for Carenza was an approval of their match.And now he’d have to wait out the storm to find out.
Carenza was not going to let a good storm go to waste.No one would venture out in such a downpour.And until the rain stopped, they were essentially trapped here.Alone.Together.In an isolated, forgotten, abandoned shelter.
“I’m cold.”She shivered and snuggled closer.
“I would build you a fire,” he said, looking askance at the crumbling beams overhead, “but I fear ’twould burn down our shelter.”
She shrugged.“There’s more than one way to get warm.”
His mouth melted then into a sultry grin.“Is that so?”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Tell me more.”
She did.She whispered a few suggestions involving the removal of their clothing.Then she murmured something she’d heard about the benefits of lying together, skin to skin.Then she mentioned various practices they might try in order to get their blood pumping more efficiently.
By the time she breathed the last idea into his ear—one about warming him with her mouth—he had picked her up and carried her off to the driest corner of the byre.
He laid out his plaid for a bed and stretched out beside her.
While Troye stared out at the storm and the rain made dull patter on the mossy timbers, they warmed each other in a dozen ways.With massaging fingers.And caressing hands.With tangling limbs.And loving lips.Finally, they merged in a molten mixture of fiery passion and steaming sensuality.
Their bodies joined in sublime bliss as they ascended to a place above the storm, above the clouds, a place where angels dwelt and love conquered all.
And when they fell back to earth, shuddering from their flighty brush with heaven, they clung to each other, holding onto the rapture they’d discovered.
Carenza opened her eyes and gasped at the sight.The rain had slowed now.Drops fell through the sunlight like precious crystals dripped from the dark clouds above.And beyond the trees, a rainbow arced across the sky, shimmering in vivid hues.
“’Tis a sign,” Hew decided.
Carenza agreed.A rainbow was good luck.
It meant the storm was over.
There was smooth sailing ahead.
And hope was on the horizon.
They dressed and returned to the castle, arm in arm.The rainbow followed them all the way home.
But the instant she entered the crowded hall of Dunlop, Carenza sensed something was wrong.She could see it in her father’s face.He looked…uneasy.
Her heart took a sharp dive.She extricated her arm from Hew’s and came forward to greet him.
“Father?”
The laird gave Hew a quick glance, but just as quickly averted his eyes.Then he ushered Carenza aside.
