“There has been an increase in bandit attacks, Hannah. I willnae have ye alone on the road.”
She almost snapped at him. Almost told him she had done just fine without his protection. She’d been on her own for long enough and was no bairn in need of coddling.
But then that feeling crept into her chest again. The hum of warmth, the strange sensation of someone going out of their way to take care of her when no one had for so long.
She sighed. “Fine.”
Aiden looked surprised, as if he’d been more than ready to fight her over it and try to pull rank again. “Ye willnae leave them stranded in the road this time.” It was not a question.
“Nay, I willnae.”
“Thank God.” Lucas’s voice from behind startled her. “It was rather embarrassing the first time. I daenae fancy a second run.”
Hannah turned to him, smiling, then looked at Aiden. “Oh, I didnae realize I was simply riding back with a friend.”
Aiden rolled his eyes heavenward. “Call it what ye will, provided ye do it.”
Hannah mounted Fin, spotting for the first time another horse further back. It was a midsize bay horse with an uneven white blaze, and it threw its head as Lucas seated himself on his saddle.
“So, I can call him a friend, then?” she teased Aiden. “What about ye?”
He looked startled, as if she’d slapped him in the face instead of being playful. He cleared his throat and patted Fin’s neck. “Aye, lass. Ye can call me a friend.”
It sounded to Hannah like those words held more weight than she’d anticipated.
“Very well, then, friend.” She smiled at him. “I’ll see ye in a week.”
“Or sooner, if ye decide ye miss me again.” He grinned at her and winked.
She felt her face heat up. “I said, I didnae miss ye!”
“Yet ye came a day early.” Aiden looked amused. “What a strange thing for such a busy woman with so many responsibilities to do for nay reason.”
He had her there, and she didn’t like it. All she had left was, “Oh, haud yer wheesht!” which coaxed the loudest laugh she’d gotten from him yet.
Aiden patted her pony’s neck one more time and backed away. “Very well, Hannah, I willnae make ye admit it.” He was still grinning as a very flustered Hannah kicked a bit harder than she needed to in order to spur her pony forward and out of the stable.
She heard hooves behind her, and Lucas managed to catch up easily enough. “Lass, are ye planning to run yer pony to a lather?” he shouted.
She leaned back and eased her feet from Fin’s ribs, allowing Lucas to draw level with her.
“It’s a sunny day,” he commented, mercifully not asking questions about the discussion she’d just had with Aiden. “We’ll make good time.”
“Aye,” she agreed, settling more comfortably into her saddle and glancing at the sky as they rode on in companionable silence.
She could still hear Aiden’s chuckle ringing in her ears.
17
They had arrived at her cottage a little over an hour after they’d left the castle.
Lucas had seen her to the distillery, where she stopped to check the mash. He had refused the offer to stay for lunch, but had accepted a flask of the whiskey he’d seen being bottled days before. Then he’d wished her well and gone on his way.
“He wouldnae let ye leave?” Violet asked after she’d nearly tackled her in the doorway.
Hannah laughed. “Ye say it like he held me captive, Vi. He was worried about me in the dark, that’s all. And I assure ye, he treated me very well. Most interesting foods and a hot bath and all.”
“Well, now I’m jealous. Maybe I should tag along on the next delivery, and we should time it for the darkness again.”
