Carice translated for Raine, and he spoke in Irish, “We will take you to them.” Although he’d spoken clearly, his discomfort with the language was obvious. She questioned how much Raine had understood of what Aoife had said.
“Can you ride?” he asked the woman gently. He spoke in the Irish language, but his Norman accent was strong.
She nodded. “I think so.”
He dismounted from his horse and easily lifted Aoife atop his mount. Though it was awkward, the woman managed to hold on to the reins. Carice worried about Aoife keeping her balance. “I don’t want her to fall.”
“She won’t.” Raine helped her to mount her own horse and then swung up behind her. Carice leaned back against him while he drew their horse alongside the young pregnant woman.
As they made their way through the woods, Carice translated Raine’s questions. They learned that the woman lived in the north and was traveling home from her father’s dwelling. A sadness crossed her face, and she admitted, “He died last year, and I went to visit the home of my childhood. It lies a few miles east of here.”
“Would you rather return there?” Carice suggested. To her surprise, Aoife refused.
“No. There is no reason to go back, and my husband is expecting me to join him.”
Though she questioned whether the young woman could reach Leinster, given her pregnancy, it was not her place to interfere. Carice questioned her on Raine’s behalf. “Have you enough supplies?”
Aoife lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “They took gold, but I don’t think they stole our food. We can manage until we are home again.”
“I spoke with their commander,” Raine said, speaking slowly to give Carice time to translate. “They will not trouble you again. I promise you that.”
And Carice believed that he would keep that vow. Raine had behaved honorably toward her, and he’d given her no reason to distrust him. He had the physical strength she lacked, and with this man, she felt protected.
As they rode east, she leaned back against him, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her. His male scent allured her, and she grew distracted with thoughts of him kissing and touching her. God forgive her, but she wanted this man. She wanted to forget about her body’s weakness and lose herself in his embrace. She was aware of every hardened line of his body, his powerful thighs surrounding her, and the chainmail armor he wore.
When they found Aoife’s escorts, there were two men present, one of whom was badly wounded. Their leader appeared visibly relieved. “My lady, I am so glad to see you unharmed. The other two men are still searching for you.”
Aoife’s face hardened. “They did a poor job of it. But thankfully, I was found by Lady Carice and this Norman soldier.” She motioned for her guard to help her down. Then she turned back to them, returning the horse to Raine. “I owe you my thanks for bringing me back. My husband will see to it that you’re rewarded for this.”
Carice translated for Raine, as well as his reply, “There is no need for that.” He dismounted from their horse and took back the other mount. “I am only sorry that the soldiers took what was yours.”
Aoife leaned down from her horse and twisted off a ring. “You will need shelter for the night. If you ride toward the east, you may stay at my father’s house. Take this, and one of my soldiers will accompany you, to ensure that you are treated as a guest.”
If they journeyed toward the east, it meant they would be backtracking. Carice told Raine of Aoife’s offer, but started to argue that it wasn’t needed.
Raine ignored her protest and spoke slowly, “That would be...kind. We accept your offer.” He took the ring and slid it onto his smallest finger.
What was he doing? “We’re traveling west, Raine. I don’t think—”
“You need to regain your strength,” he argued back. “I don’t want you sleeping out of doors another night. Not when you’ve been so ill.”
Though she knew it was only concern, her greater worry was being found by her father. And traveling east made that a true danger. “I’ll be fine. I can manage.”
He ignored her and directed his attention back to Aoife. To Carice, he ordered, “Translate for me.”
She didn’t want to, but obeyed, repeating his words. “If one of your men would guide us to your father’s house, we would appreciate it.”
Aoife offered a smile. “I am thankful for your kindness. And please tell my father’s steward that I am in need of more escorts.” She gave instructions to one of her men to lead the way while the others began burying the fallen soldiers.
The guard chosen to accompany them said, “We must travel south and then east.”
Raine didn’t argue with the man, but Carice thought this was a terrible idea. Not only would it bring them toward her father’s men, but there was no need for it. She drew her horse alongside his and said, “Why would you have us go the wrong direction, Raine? I am not so weak that I cannot sleep outside.”
He stiffened in the saddle, but eyed her. “You could barely move only a little while ago. If I push you too hard, you’ll collapse.”
“I can manage the journey,” she insisted. “Really, there’s no need for this.”
He eyed her, and in his gaze, she saw the gravity of his concern. “What does one more day matter, Carice?”
