He kissed the top of her head. He enjoyed the look on all their faces as he drew them into his story, but he particularly loved seeing Agnes so transfixed. He would have to bring in the actual elder from the village to meet her.
“But is it true?” someone asked, whom he couldn’t quite see.
“Aye, ’tis true. My wife can meet him and send word of him when we return to Mugdock if you like.”
“I can meet him?” she asked. “This is a true, true story?”
“Aye, I wasn’t about to make up another seeing as how disappointed you were the first time.”
Agnes put her hand in his and squeezed. Seeing her so happy among her people lightened his heart. There were many dangers ahead of them, but for this night he would do all that he could to keep her the way she was in that moment.
They took their seats as another villager came to tell a tale of a ghostly piper and another of the dreaded kelpies. William looked down from time to time to enjoy watching her watch them. By God, if anyone ever laid a finger on her he would rip them apart with his bare hands. The thought swept through him so fast it surprised him. He didn’t just lust after her, he didn’t just want to protect her because she was his wife. He loved her. Fully and wholly loved her and the idea of that shocked him.
He’d never given much credence or had any expectation that his marriage would result in love. He had been resigned to have an amicable relationship with a woman he could respect and with whom he could grow a family.
This was unexpected.
After hours of entertainment, the crowd dispersed and William found himself curled in bed next to his perfectly sated and sleeping wife. The evening had been everything he’d hoped it would be and more. Tomorrow, he would tell her of his plan to leave the day following. He hoped she wouldn’t be too disappointed, but it was necessary.
Hugh hadn’t said much to him after only asking him once how long they would remain. The man would miss his daughter and that was to be expected. William would be pleased to see his home again and his family. His mother was sure to love Agnes.
Love Agnes.
The thought rolled around in his mind again. He’d not unleashed his full passion when they’d come to bed. Rather, he loved her slowly, watching the passion show on her face, staring into her eyes as their bodies joined.
As soon as they returned to Mugdock, he would set about reinforcing his own lands and the castle walls. How he wished there were a faster method to return with her. And then it dawned on him. She could ride in the saddle with him. She would have to wear trews underneath her gown and she would be sore, but galloping with one horse would be faster than waiting for the carriage. He would arrange with Hugh to have some of his men transport the carriage and they could be home much faster. He couldn’t harbor the thought of being on the road for more weeks.
William cuddled harder into her and buried his face in her hair. He could stay like this forever with her. Somewherebetween a lonely gull cry and the first streak of light entering the chamber, he found light slumber.
In his dreams he fought imaginary foes coming at him from all sides who snatched Agnes from his arms. Try as he might, he could not reach her. No matter what he tried, she remained just out of his grasp. More than once he woke with a start only to fall into the same dream again. By the morning, he was exhausted as though he’d fought the entirety of the Highland rebels and lost everything.
William slid from the bed so as not to wake Agnes. He stood by the window looking out over the sea. In the distance and through the fog he was sure a long tentacle rose from the depths below then slapped hard on the water’s surface. Was her sea monster waving farewell, warning of foreboding, or hastening them on their way? He couldn’t tell if he was still dreaming or not, but he was sure that much longer in this place and he would lose the last of the wits he had.
Chapter Thirteen
They’d been ridingfor days, and she was ready for the journey to end. While she thoroughly enjoyed being seated in front of William with his strong arms around her and his thick chest pressed against her back, she had to admit her bottom was growing sore.
By day they covered as much ground as possible which meant at night they practically fell from the horse and into whichever inn they could find. He’d kiss her awake before sunrise each morning and pleasure her until she could stand no more. Were it not for the threat and the feeling of looking over their shoulders at all times and her sore arse, she could stay like this with him forever. No time for casually looking about the countryside on this journey. Trees whipped by as they galloped along as fast as they could.
William had arranged for their belongings to follow so she would have only the gown she wore and one other until they reached Mugdock Castle and there she would find plenty of gowns belonging to his sister.
She wanted a bath and a hot meal more than anything, but they did not linger in any one place long enough for either. They’d packed as much as they could carry foodwise so they could eat when the horse needed rest.
They didn’t talk much, and she could feel the tension rolling off William, understanding he would not relax untilthey reached their destination. Thankfully they didn’t encounter many travelers either. Only once did he veer off onto a different path when a rider was visible ahead of them.
After she was deliciously woken by him that morning, he had said they would reach the castle that day and she was ready for it. She longed to be off the horse and soaking in a hot tub to ease her muscles. She didn’t have time for her nerves to affect her, so at least that was one benefit of their travels. But now as the castle came into view, small flutters entered her belly.
Thrusting up from curtain walls was a tall square tower with several windows dotted across its facade. There was absolutely no way to know what lay beyond unless one entered through the gateway.
William slowed the horse to a trot as they passed through and entered the inner courtyard. He pulled back on the reins and stopped the horse then quickly dismounted. As he reached for her, he shouted at the men guarding the gateway to close the doors. From the inside Agnes could see two heavy wooden doors with thick iron plating holding it together. The men closed the doors then sealed them with a massive wooden beam. Nothing was coming in that way.
A stable hand ran over to William taking the horse away. “Look after him well,” he said. “He’s had a hard run.”
He then turned to Agnes and drew in a deep breath. “I know these past days have been hard on you, but you do understand they were necessary.”
“Aye, William, that I do,” she said and smiled as the lines in his face began to soften.
“Let’s get you inside and out of this heat. I am sure you are hungry and in need of a bath.”
