Page 44 of Moon Craving

Refusing to give in to the sweetness of her lips, he stepped back from her.

She looked up with an expression he had no idea how to decipher. And he refused

to allow himself time trying.

He deliberately turned away from the connection he felt to her and ripped the sheet

from the bed. "Your mother will have nothing to harp about now."

He stormed from the cottage, tossing the bloodied sheet at the feet of the baron.

Lady Hamilton bent and grabbed it, examining it even as Talorc leapt to the back of his

horse and looked to see if his wife had followed. She had. He bent to grab her. She settled

in front of him without a murmur of protest.

He gave the signal and he and his warriors set their horses galloping north . . .

toward home.

Abigail concentrated on not falling off Talorc's great beast of a horse. Until she

realized the stone band around her middle that was his arm wasn't about to let her go

anywhere. The horses were galloping so quickly, the green beauty around her was

naught but a blur to her dazed eyes.

She had never ridden at such a pace in her life. It was most exhilarating.

Despite the trauma of her wedding and near bedding, Abigail felt a smile of pure

pleasure steal across her face and laughter welled up inside her. She realized it had not

been silent when the body so close behind her stiffened as if in surprise.

She cocked her head back and turned it so she could see Talorc's face. Sure

enough, he had a questioning look on his darkly handsome features.

"What?" she asked.

"What has you laughing?"

"I believe I enjoy riding Scottish horses, my laird."

"This is no mere horse; 'tis a beast worthy of a Chrechte warrior."

His arrogance made her laugh again. "No doubt."

To have his confidence would be a wonderful thing. Abigail spent so much time in

fear of revealing her true self, she rarely felt confidence in the company of others. But right

at this moment, she knew unadulterated joy as they rode away from a life and family that

had caused her pain and pain again.