“Why?” The question was barely a whisper. “Why would ye do that for me? We barely ken each other. This is supposed to be temporary, convenient. Why risk yer life for?—”
“Because ye’re mine,” he interrupted, the words tearing from somewhere deep in his chest. “Do ye still question it? Betrothal or nae, fake or real, ye came to me for protection. Ye put yer trust in me. And I daenae take that lightly, lass. I daenae takeyelightly.”
Silence. Then, so quietly he almost missed it: “Thank ye.”
And somehow, those two simple words meant more than any elaborate speech. He felt her relax against him, felt the tension leave her shoulders as she settled more fully into his embrace.
Murdock, feeling her trust, her warmth, the way she fit against him like she belonged there, knew with absolute certainty that he was in far deeper than he’d ever intended.
This woman was supposed to be temporary. A means to an end. A solution to a problem.
The village appeared on the horizon, smoke from cooking fires rising into the clear morning sky. Soon they’d arrive. Soon they’d have to play their parts again, smile for his people, pretend this was all going according to plan.
But for now, for these last few moments, Murdock let himself hold her. Let himself feel the weight of her against his chest, the trust in the way she leaned against him.
Let himself pretend, just for a heartbeat, that this was real.
That she was truly his.
And that he deserved to keep her.
13
The village came alive with sound and color as they rode through the outskirts.
Leona could hear music drifting in the air, fiddles and drums, accompanied by laughter and voices raised in song. Smoke from cooking fires mixed with the scent of roasting meat and fresh bread, making her stomach growl despite the tension still thrumming through her body.
She was acutely aware of Murdock behind her, his arms bracketing her as he held the reins, his chest solid against her back. Every breath he took, she felt. Every shift of his powerful thighs as he guided Thunder through the narrow streets made heat pool low in her belly.
The ride from the ambush site had been both eternal and far too short. She’d never felt safer than wrapped in his arms, never felt more desired than when she’d felt the evidence of his arousal pressed against her lower back. He’d tried to shift away, to putdistance between them despite their positions, but the horse’s gait kept bringing them back together.
Neither had spoken much. What was there to say? Three men lay dead on the road because they’d threatened her. Because Murdock had kept his promise to protect her, swift and brutal and absolute.
For the next year, ye’re mine to protect.
The words echoed in her mind, sending shivers down her spine that had nothing to do with cold.
“We’re here,” Murdock said quietly, his breath warm against her ear.
People had begun to notice their arrival. Heads turned, conversations paused, and then, suddenly, they were surrounded by smiling faces and enthusiastic greetings.
“Me Laird!”
“Is that her? Is that Lady Leona?”
“Look, they’re riding together! How romantic!”
Murdock dismounted first, his movements fluid despite having ridden for hours. Then his hands were on her waist, lifting her down as if she weighed nothing.
For a moment, they stood close enough that she could see the flecks of amber in his dark eyes, could feel the heat radiating from his body.
“Ready?” he asked quietly.
She wasn’t, not remotely, but she nodded anyway, smoothing her burgundy dress with trembling hands.
The crowd pressed closer, and Leona’s breath caught in her throat. So many people. So many eyes watching, judging, wondering about the Gilmore lass who’d captured their Beast’s attention.
An older woman pushed through the throng, her weathered face creased with a warm smile. Leona recognized her from dinner—Sheena.
