“And I ye,” she replied, and he grinned, noting the flush of her skin and the soft sheen of sweat glistening in the firelight. He had done that.
“I had nae idea what it was tae entail,” she said, reaching a hand to his bearded cheek. “But I enjoyed it very much. When can we do it again?”
He laughed, giving her a quick kiss. “Nae at the moment, unfortunately. I wonder if we were too loud as it is. Or rather,” he grinned, taking a lock of hair and twisting it around his finger, “if ye were too loud.”
“Too loud?” Lorna asked, looking shocked, and Bryce hurried to calm her.
“It was nae a problem! It was only a compliment tae me.” He chuckled. “I want ye tae be as loud as ye like when I am inside ye. That means I am giving ye the pleasure that ye deserve. And that I ken that I am doing the right thing.”
A blush stole across her cheeks. “It was perfect.”
“Aye.” He sighed and kissed her again. “But I have tae go, lass. It is better this way.”
He sat up, and she reached out for him. He closed his eyes, intoxicated by the feel of her soft fingertips on his skin. More than anything, he wanted to stay, curl up with Lorna and fall asleep, but he had to go. If her father found out what had happened, he’d send Bryce to be executed. But if he was able to offer marriage, then perhaps Fergus would soften.
With that thought in his mind, he stood up. “I donnae want tae leave, lass, but it is for the best.” He sighed, leaning over to take her mouth again, before pulling away to place a soft kiss on each of her breasts. “I willnae be able tae stay away from ye now,” he said with a grin.
“But ye are leaving at the moment,” she teased, moving to sit up by the headboard.
“Aye, but I donnae want tae hurt ye by having someone see me leave yer room. There is much tae think of as well. Kyla, the murders, yer mother.”
“She is better now. I spoke to her. It was all thanks tae ye. The healer even told me that.”
“Well,” he stood, slipping on his trousers. “I am glad for that, lass. I hope tae be able tae help Kyla just the same. And tae help keep this village from the dark force which works against it.” He shook his head as he pulled on his shirt.
“Good night, Lorna,” he said, watching her longingly as she sat at the top of the bed, her breasts bare, and her lovely blonde hair flowing about her.
“Good night, Bryce,” she said with a soft smile. Keeping himself from jumping into her bed again, he left the room and slipped down the hallway to his own chamber.
Bryce slept well, almost too well, so that he when he woke up the next morning, he could tell it was late in the day. “Shite,” he whispered to himself, hurrying to bathe and dress before going downstairs.
He wanted to get started on things today and to see how Kyla fared, but instead his body decided to savor the lovely fatigue it had from the night before. As he rushed down the steps to the main hall, his mind was filled with images of Lorna. The way she writhed underneath him, her limbs holding his hips tight against her, the way her cheeks flushed as she arched her back and cried out his name. It was all so much, and he could feel himself hardening just at the thought of it.
He wanted her again. In fact, he wanted her for the rest of his life, but he would have to jump over a few obstacles first. Many, many obstacles in fact. He was just about to enter the hall when he saw Tobias walking in through the entrance.
“Bryce, thank God you are here and not with the Laird just yet.” He pulled on his arm and took him aside into one of the shadowy alcoves. Guards stood at the entrance gates, but they weren’t in earshot.
Bryce frowned. “So am I, but what is it? Has there been news?”
Tobias shook his head, his brow furrowing. “No, not yet, but I’ve been thinking.” He took his hat off and stuffed it under his arm. “Something is strange, and something is off. I have questioned what villagers I can, but I swear to you, none of them has acted as strange as this family has when I’m about. I know it is likely because of my heritage, but there’s more to it than that. Hell, even last night we were saying how Fergus is acting strangely with Lorna. And everyone seems eager to accuse you of wrongdoing, as if you are an easy target since you’re here, and you’re an outsider to the clan. Someone in this family is not telling me something. I can feel it.”
Bryce leaned against the cold stone wall of the alcove. He stroked his beard in thought. “Aye, I ken what ye mean. But perhaps the strangeness is just about the secret they have from Lorna? About her parentage?”
Tobias shook his head. “I have considered that. But they have had that secret for years, and they do not know that anyone else knows it. Fergus does not at least.”
“But what if the murders are related tae it? Perhaps her parentage has made someone angry? Perhaps her real father is coming to get his revenge?” Bryce shrugged, just throwing ideas out into the void, not knowing whether any of them made sense.
“Aye, perhaps. But why now? After all these years? It would make sense to have done it years ago, right after Siusan died. But not now.” Tobias groaned. “This will be the end of me. If I cannot solve this, then I could have a village war on my hands. It needs to be solved so that I can establish more trust here!”
“I ken, I ken,” Bryce said in a soothing tone. “Lad, I think it is time we tell Lorna. If someone is afraid of the secret getting out because they donnae want her tae ken it, then we can just solve that problem. Besides, the lass deserves tae ken. This is her family. Her true family.”
“I suppose that could work. That might help to prevent more murders, but are you sure that you wish to incur the family’s wrath like this? They might never forgive ye. May never let ye have Lorna,” Tobias added with a grin.
“How did ye?” Bryce asked, incredulous, making Tobias laughed.
“I have only to look at you to see how besotted you are with her. Besides that, the two of you have been spending a lot of time together. I can see the way you respect her as well. And the way you want to keep her safe. You are in love.”
Bryce sighed, and he smiled despite the hopelessness of the situation. “I ken it. I told her so last night.”
“You did? Good for you, lad!” Tobias patted his shoulder.
“Aye, but now, I need tae find a way tae get her parents tae trust me, so that they will give permission tae marry her.”
Tobias frowned. “Well, telling her about her parentage could undo all that.”
“I ken, but she deserves tae ken, like I said. It wouldnae be fair tae tell her I love her and then keep this secret from her.” Bryce shook his head, knowing that this could ruin everything for him, once Athol found out that his secret had been told.
“Well, you are a good man, then. And I ken that you are truly in love and not just lust.” Tobias winked. “Come on, then. Let us go and do it before Fergus or Athol gets any idea about what we are doing.”
With a heavy heart, Bryce and Tobias left the alcove in search of Lorna.
