“Eat.”
Remy wanted to argue, but didn’t, eating the few spoonfuls before they were shown to the barn. The smell of hay and horse filled the air, but the place was well maintained and warm, which was all that Remy needed. Clen pointed out a pile of blankets they could use and bid them a good night, shutting the barn doors behind them. Remy was surprised to see his horse in one of the stalls, but soon he had his attention on Gretna and hermovements. He still couldn’t believe that she was his. She loved him. She wanted to be with him.
As much as he wanted to push her away, he couldn’t. She was embedded in his heart and Remy knew that he could never walk away from her.
Gretna turned, a small smile playing at her lips. “Wot?”
Remy shook his head, sliding his hand through his hair. “Nothing. Everything. Ye unman mah, lass.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “Remy.”
He crossed the distance between them, taking her hands in his. “Nay, lass, I mean it. I stand before ye humbled that ye still have chosen mah.”
She squeezed his hands, her eyes shining with the love that he still couldn’t understand. “We have a great road ahead of us. Ian may still not agree.”
Remy didn’t want to think of his closest friend, the one boulder still left on the path to the future with Gretna. Ian could deny their request. It was his right as not only laird but also Gretna’s brother to ensure that she was cared for. If Ian could see his sister now, in her torn, dirtied dress and tangled hair, he would scarcely believe that it was Gretna, to begin with.
Reaching up, he smoothed her hair back off her face. “One more night and I will have ye home.”
She drew in a breath. “Wot if we didna go back? Wot if we ran off?”
Remy chuckled. “I wouldna do that tae ye or yer brother, lass. He is anxious tae see ye.” He remembered the worry on Ian’s face, the way that he had made Remy promise to bring her home safely. Remy was going to grant that wish.
“Yer right,” Gretna sighed, falling against his chest. “Tis just I worry, Remy.”
“Donna worry, lass,” he murmured against her temple. “Nothing can tear mah away from ye.”
She looked up at him and he captured her lips with his, savoring Gretna’s taste. Her hands threaded through his hair and he groaned against her lips, his hands coming to her waist and holding her against his body. He would never grow tired of kissing her like this.
Coaxing her mouth open, he swept in with his tongue, stroking hers until she moaned in his mouth. He wanted to taste her all over, to unveil her creamy skin inch by inch until she was exposed before him, a feast that would satisfy his entire soul.
Her hands clenched in his hair and Remy forced himself to break their kiss, his breathing uneven. “Nay, lass,” he breathed. “I willna take ye in a barn.”
She groaned. “I canna wait.”
“Well, ye will have tae, for there are many questions I have.” A stern voice was heard.
They broke apart to find Ian standing in the barn doorway, surrounded by his guards carrying torches. His expression was one of anger and confusion and Remy swallowed as he backed away from Gretna.
“I- Ian,” Gretna forced out, smoothing her hands over her skirts nervously. “Wot are ye doing here?”
Remy straightened his shoulders and took his friend’s furious gaze head-on, the air around them thickening with tension. “Mah Laird.”
Ian glared at him, his jaw clamped shut. Remy could only imagine what sort of thoughts were running through his mind and he wanted to soothe his closest friend’s worries, but it wasn’t the place to do so. Right now, he was their laird.
Unfortunately, Gretna didn’t agree.
“Ian,” she started, but her brother held up his hand, silencing her immediately.
“I’m glad tae see that ye are alive and well, Sister,” he responded, his eyes never leaving Remy. “Even if ye are a bit ruffled.”
Remy choked on his own breath and Gretna grew pale with worry as Ian’s brow rose, the guards staying quiet behind him. Whenever they had the discussion, Remy knew it was going to be a difficult one for all the parties involved.
“Git yer horse,” Ian growled, turning away. “We are going home.”
Remy swallowed hard as the group left them alone once more, hearing Gretna’s shaky exhale of breath. “Well, that wasna how I wanted him tae find out.”
“Aye,” Gretna agreed, her face pale. “I donna think he will kill ye now.”
