Not that she cared. She was on her way back home, back to her clan and that was all that mattered. No longer did she have to worry over her marriage to James. The laird had broken the agreement and given her her freedom.
Her future was hers once more.
By the time Remy stopped the horse, Gretna’s teeth were chattering and she could barely feel her face from the thrashing wind. Remy dismounted and she slid into his waiting arms, her breath catching as she felt his touch for the first time when they weren’t fleeing finally done for their lives. She could barely see his face in the thick darkness, but when he immediately stepped back, she found herself surprised.
“We are far enough,” he stated, his voice carrying in the still night. “We made it off their land. We should be safe now.”
Gretna shook off the mantle of worry that settled on her shoulders. “Ye came back.”
“Of course, I did,” he answered. “I told ye I would.”
He didn’t sound too pleased about it and Gretna’s worry intensified. Had something happened while he was back at their clan? Had her brother said something to him or threatened Remy about leaving Gretna behind?
“Remy,” she started, her voice trembling.
“Sit,” Remy said instead. “I am going tae gather wood for a fire. Donna move and if ye hear anything use yer dagger, lass.”
Gretna felt around until she found a fallen log and sat upon it, the cold seeping through her gown. If she had known that tonight was the night Remy was to return, she would have worn a thicker gown.
Still, she would never forget the way he had ridden into the courtyard and demanded that James released her like a knight in a romance novel. Her heart still hadn’t recovered from the sight and Gretna felt that it would always be in her memories.
He had come back for her.
A rustling sound caused her to reach for the dagger strapped to her thigh, the one thing she hadn’t gone without her entire time at the McCellan keep. As she rose from the log, the sound grew louder and she realized that it was more horses coming their way. Was it James coming for her?
“Remy!”
Gretna sighed in relief as she recognized the guards that had been her constant companions during his absence, three figures coming into her view a moment later. Remy came into the clearing as well, dumping the wood into a pile.
“Ye are a sight for sore eyes,” he responded as the men dismounted and touched arms with him. “Any troubles?”
“Nay,” the lead guard stated with a quick shake of his head. “We were told tae leave and leave we did.” He looked around. “Are we setting up camp here?”
“Aye,” Remy replied. “Tis too dark tae continue to ride tonight. We can take turns with the watch.”
The guard nodded, motioning to the other two men. “We will set up a perimeter then. There will be no surprises on our watch.”
Gretna watched as the men slunk into the darkness, leaving her and Remy alone once more. While she was happy that they had all gotten out when they did, she longed for the safety of her brother’s keep.
“Ye need a blanket, lass.”
“I’m fine,” she said, attempting to keep her teeth from chattering too loud. He made a noise and moved to get the fire going. Soon there was a small flame and light started to filter through the darkness, illuminating Remy’s tall form. Gretna moved toward the fire, the delicious heat warming her fingers. She didn’t say anything for a few moments, but the silence was too deafening between them.
“Ye seemed tae be handling yerself,” Remy finally said, breaking the silence. “I trust that ye aren’t hurt?”
“Nay,” she said quickly. “I’m not hurt. James left mah alone for the most part, only using mah tae stroke his ego every once and a while.” It could have been a great deal worse.
“Wot did ye say tae the laird?” Remy asked.
Gretna met his eyes over the firelight. “I canna tell ye but I was told something that the laird would be desperate not tae have come out.” She was going to keep her promise to him and not tell anyone what she had learned or from whom. “It was enough.”
“Aye,” Remy answered, looking away. “Ye did fine, Gretna. Ye were strong.”
Gretna flushed at his praise, remembering his words that he had left her. “I tried tae be.”
He gave her a curt nod and silence fell between them once more. She wanted him to take her into his arms and tell her how much he missed her or even just show her that he actually missed her.
Right now he was making her feel as if she was some sort of burden to him. “Did Ian send ye?” she asked, hoping that he couldn’t hear the hurt in her voice.
