The crowd was beginning to disperse, and Bryce thanked the priest and walked alongside Athol as they made their way back to the castle. Kyla and Lorna were not far behind.
“Well, that is over with, thank God. It was an unpleasant business from start tae finish. I find battles and intrigue far easier tae swallow than the lonely deaths of innocents.”
“Aye,” Bryce said with a nod. “Unpleasant, for certain. But we still donnae ken who did what. And why?”
Athol scratched at his scalp. “Aye, but what of it? We have other business tae attend tae. It seems personal, this. If we cannae find the killer, then we should move on. What else can we do? We have asked, and we have searched, but naething.”
“That is why I am working on it. Ye have other things tae attend tae, but I am free tae continue. If ye donnae mind,” Bryce added, hoping that Athol didn’t send him home on a whim.
“Nae, nae, do what ye like. Nae doubt the families at least will be happy if ye find out who did it.”
And everyone else who is fearing for their life at this time.
In the castle, everyone went their separate ways, but before Bryce went upstairs, he caught Lorna on her own, leaving by the front gates. He knew she would nae appreciate his control, but he followed her. He had to know what she was doing and where she was going. She took her horse and rode off. He hurriedly saddled his own and followed the hoofprints to where she was.
He found her down in the valley, not far from the church, in a clearing amidst a circle of trees. She was lying down, her eyes closed. For a second, he feared something had befallen her, but he could see her chest moving. He slowed, tied his horse to a tree, and jumped down.
“Och,” he said, “So this is where ye go when ye are trying tae escape.” He chuckled as he laid down next to a surprised Lorna.
“Dear God, ye gave me a fright,” she replied, sitting up a little. But once his head was down, she laid down next to him again. “Aye, this is one of many places I like tae go, when I want tae be alone.” He could see her watching him out of the corner of her eye. “But it seems ye donnae wish that for me.”
He nodded but couldn’t help grinning. Being alone with Lorna was exactly what he wanted. “Aye, but that is only because I worry for yer safety, with everything that has been happening. Ye shouldnae go out alone until this is resolved. We have nae idea who the murderer is.”
“And ye think that he would wish tae murder me?” She turned toward him, her head on her elbow, narrowing her gaze at him. “Are ye trying tae control me once again? Like everyone else?”
“Nae,” he said softly, turning to face her as well. His hand reached out, and he touched a finger to frame the outline of her cheek. “That is the last thing I want, lass. But I do want tae keep ye safe if I can. I am here, and ye are…important tae me. I wouldnae wish anything tae happen tae ye.”
His hand slid across her cheek, cupping it. She took a breath. “Who is that woman? The one ye told me about. The one who broke yer heart and made ye a womanizer?”
He chuckled, but then he saw by her eyes that she was serious. He remembered telling her the story that morning in her room, and he shook his head. “Lorna, do ye really nae ken who it is who stole me heart and never gave it back tae me? The one who paled in comparison tae all other women?”
She swallowed, and his eyes fell to her mouth. Her perfect, pert mouth, which had driven him wild since he’d come to stay at the McAdam keep. “Me?” she said softly, so soft that he might not have heard it if he wasn’t leaning close to her, focusing entirely on her.
“Aye,” he said in a low voice, and after hesitating only a moment, he leaned in to capture her mouth. He moved slowly, but it was Lorna who gripped him tightly, pulling him close. She opened her mouth, begging him to do the same, and he didn’t disappoint her. He leaned up a little more and pushed Lorna down onto the grass, his mouth still slanting across hers. His tongue moved into her mouth, giving him a taste of her sweetness once again, and she arched up into him.
But then, she pushed away, a little breathless. Her cheeks were pink, and her lips were swollen with his kiss. “We could get caught here, out in the open.” She looked around. “What a scandal it would be. Especially if me father chooses taeday tae come back.”
“I donnae think that anyone would come this way. Nae one would even ken that ye were gone. I only kenned because I was watching ye.” He grinned, moving closer. “Because I was unable tae keep me eyes off ye. We may nae get another chance soon enough.”
“Aye,” she said, nodding her head, pulling him close again. This time, Bryce was not going to let his chance be ruined until he brought her to pleasure. He had been so close in the library, but then he’d been interrupted. In the armory, it just wasn’t the right place. But now, under the late afternoon sunshine, lying in the soft, sweet-smelling Highland grass, it was perfect. He would give Lorna the pleasure she so deserved.
