“Aye, Mad Maggie…Mad Maggie…”
“No, just Maggie.”
Her small shrug made him wonder if she preferred the unsavory nickname, and she continued to just stand there as if waiting for his next move. Might he have some hope that she still felt sleepy and wouldn’t resist him at every turn?
“Come. I’ll walk with you into the trees where you can see tae your needs.”
He took her hand and slowed his usual stride so she wouldn’t have to hurry overmuch to keep up with him, relieved again that she seemed so acquiescent. What had Sister Agnes told him at the convent?
She’s the sweetest child most times…
Praying at that moment that the Reverend Mother’s assessment was accurate, Gabriel ventured far enough into the trees that none of his men could see them. He felt reluctant to release her hand, but how else was she to lift her clothing and squat to relieve herself? He let go of her hand and gestured for her to raise her skirt.
“I think you know what I mean, lass…and look, I’ll even turn around—”
“You go first.”
Her expression inscrutable in the dark, Gabriel felt a moment’s astonishment that she had addressed him directly for the very first time…albeit in a tone so like a child.
His first instinct was to tell her no and thatshego first, and then he would take her back to the clearing and have one of his men watch her while he saw to his own needs—och, but he felt about to burst.
Sighing, he stepped over to another tree, telling himself that she was his wife after all, though he kept his eyes upon her. He lifted his tunic and groaned with relief, and he saw, too, that he must have inspired her because she took a few steps backward and squatted.
Gabriel almost laughed at the ridiculousness of the moment, the two of them out in the woods relieving themselves and at last not at cross purposes with each other. A strange intimacy, to be sure—and he glanced down to readjust his tunic and step away from the tree.
She must be finished, too, the woods around them quiet except for the low din of voices from his men watering the horses some yards away and crickets chirping—ah, God, too quiet!
His glance to the left confirmed what the clutch in his chest already told him, and Gabriel whirled in place, looking all around him.
Magdalene was gone!
As if she’d been a forest sprite and not a flesh and blood woman, she had disappeared into the thick trees without a sound, without a footfall!
Cursing himself for a fool, Gabriel took off in the direction he guessed she must have gone, hoping against hope that he’d spy a flash of light-colored hair against the darkness.
Hear a twig snapping, a panting breath as she ran—anything!
He wanted to call for his men, but didn’t dare. Who could say what enemies might lurk in these woods? Yet he was crashing so through the trees, scanning to the left and right, it would be a miracle if anyone was out there anddidn’thear him.
Wily chit, if he didn’t find her soon, he might never find her. That thought made him drag in a heavy breath and plunge on—until a small shriek and the sound of splashing made him veer to the right and charge toward the stream.
His breathing hard.
His muscles burning after hours of sitting in a saddle and now pumping with exertion.
“No, no, noooo!”
Magdalene’s voice shrill, desperate, Gabriel yanked out his sword and held it at the ready as he ran—only to hear a guttural sound as if someone had been kicked in a very sensitive place, and then a wheezing intake of breath.
“Och, lass, will you unman me for life?” demanded Finlay, for Gabriel knew at once with a swamping sense of relief that his cousin had found her.
Five long strides more and he was upon them, Gabriel quickly sheathing his sword and then grabbing Magdalene from behind as she swung her leg back to give another kick.
Straight into his lower body, Gabriel exhaling as he dropped to his knees from the blinding pain while Finlay groaned in disbelief.
“What manner of wife have you wed, Gabriel? Will she ruin us both, then?”
He didn’t answer, but hauled himself up and grabbed Magdalene before she could flee again into the darkness. Now any acquiescence had disappeared as she began to fight him tooth and nail.
