“Because ye canna resist me?”
“Exactly. And as long as ye look at me as ye do now, I never will.”
“Fiona, love, I’ll always want ye. In my life. In my bed,” he added with a grin, as his hands moved down her back to cup her arse. “In every way possible.”
Her husband’s body shielded her—and where his hands were—from the men taking down the sail and picking up oars to slow them.
Thebirlinnrocked gently as they approached the shore and one of the men called out a warning.
“Let’s wait until we have solid ground, and preferably a soft mattress, under us, aye?”
“Wise, as always, my love.”
Erik waseager to get Fiona alone, but there were people to see and things to do before that could happen. He could see Rose guards on the walls speaking to someone down in the bailey. He would have wagered it was Mary. And won.
“Guards spotted yerbirlinnapproaching and recognized ye two,” Mary told them as she greeted them at the Rose gate. “’Tis so good to see ye, but what brings ye? Did I miss receiving a letter?”
“We apologize for imposing on ye,” Erik told her. “But Fiona needed a few days away from Ross, and I agreed.”
“That is no’ what I said,” Fiona argued, then grinned. “We both do, and I wanted to see friends.”
“Be welcome, nay matter the reason,” Mary said with a smile, and gestured them in. “Da is in his solar, but he’s been talking about wanting to get out for a hunt. Now that ye are here, Erik, perhaps ye will give him the excuse he needs to indulge himself.”
“I’d be honored,” Erik responded. Ross had conducted several hunts throughout the winter months, but he’d been too busy to join them, so he looked forward to the chance. And the chance to deepen ties, laird to laird, with Clan Rose. They’d had a rocky start and hadn’t parted on the best of terms.
Mary knocked on the solar door, opened it, and gestured them in. “Look who’s come to visit, Da.”
“Welcome,” the Rose said, standing. “’Tis good to see ye.” He brandished a document. “Mary, I was just reading another betrothal offer for Catherine. This one looks to be of great benefit,” he added, looking from Mary to Erik. “Do ye ken Angus Oliphant?”
Erik thought for a moment. “I dinna believe so. Is he the one looking for a bride?”
“His da is looking for one for him, aye.”
“I’m sorry, I dinna think I can help ye.”
“Never mind. He’s only the latest of several, and that stubborn sister of yers,” he said, with a glance at Mary, “has refused them all. How long will ye stay?”
Erik was ready for the abrupt question. “Only a few days. Fiona wanted to visit family and friends.”
“Good, good then.” Rose resumed his seat.
“Let’s get ye settled in a chamber,” Mary suggested, giving them a way to exit gracefully, “then ’twill be time for the evening meal, and ye can rest.”
“That sounds perfect,” Fiona told her. “Thank ye.”
As she walked them upstairs, Mary said, “Lia will be pleased to see ye. She is doing very well here.”
“I’m so glad to hear ye say that,” Fiona told her as Mary led them to a guest chamber and opened the door.
“I’ll have someone bring up yer things. Supper will be in an hour. Ye can relax until then.”
Supper turned into a whirlwind of greetings, laughter, and to Erik’s relief, good food. Fiona looked happy for the first time in days. He might be putting too much pressure on her, but much of it she put on herself, trying to take some of his burden from him. They would have to come up with a better arrangement when they got back to Ross.
Finally, they returned to their chamber for the night. Someone had unpacked their bags for them and laid out Fiona’s night rail. A platter of fruit and cheese sat on a side table with a pitcher of something to drink and small cups. A cheerful fire burned in the hearth and buckets of water stood warming by the hearth for them to use to refresh themselves, folded towels and extra sheeting lay piled on a chest under the window.
“Everything we need, aye?” Erik said. “I believe we have a soft mattress available. And solid ground beneath it.”
“All I need now is ye,” Fiona told him, coming in to his arms.
