Page 36 of A Rogue and a Noble Lass

She never finished her words because he caught her lips, taking the kiss that was readily given. Her body melted against him. His fingers sank against the cloth of her nightgown, feeling the supple skin beneath. A growl of intent murmured in his throat as they staggered back and fell onto the bed.

They were a tangle of limbs and hair, and for that one night Logan lost control.

His discipline was broken and even though there was a voice in the back of his mind telling him to retreat, he could not leave this battlefield of passion. Beitris was too compelling, too enthralling.

She was the only flicker of light in a dark and gloomy life.

14

Logan and Brody were waiting with horses. Logan had a brooding look on his face, unsure how he felt about the previous night. In the fury of their passion he hadn’t thought about anything. He’d only given in to his feelings and there was nothing in the world that mattered other than her. He’d awoken with Beitris’ arm draped over his chest and her hair lank against his cheek. Scratch marks peppered his back, wounds from a triumphant battle where both he and Beitris had emerged victors.

But it hadn’t changed what waited for them. It hadn’t changed what he needed to do.

“I’m glad ye listened tae me,” Brody said.

Logan glowered. “We’re nae capturing her.”

“What? But it’s the perfect plan!”

“We cannae guarantee that Ryan would come alone. He could send an army after us,” Logan said, although he was grasping for reasons that made sense.

“They will be busy arming themselves for the assault. Besides, he will nae risk Beitris being hurt. All we need dae is tell him that at the first sight of an army her throat will be slit.”

Logan visibly winced at the notion. That was the throat he had kissed last night, the throat from which the sweetest sounds he had ever heard emerged.

“It will nae work. I will kill Ryan myself. Beitris hae nae part of it.”

Brody narrowed his eyes, and there was nothing cheery about him in this moment. “I never thought a lass would be able tae shake yer resolve, the daughter of the man ye swore tae kill at that. Why hae ye let yerself become weak at this last hurdle? All the times ye could hae let loose… and now ye decide that it’s a good idea.”

“I never said it was a good idea. I never chose this.”

“But it’s happening, aye?” Brody huffed and shook his head, putting his hands on his hips. “After all I hae done for ye, this is the way it ends up? I hae stood by yer side all this time. Ye need tae get a hold of yerself. I feel as though I dinnae ken ye. Listen tae me, nae her,” he said.

“I only need listen tae myself. Ye dinnae need tae fear anything, Brody. I still intend tae gae through with my plan, but there is nae reason for Beitris tae suffer.”

Brody laughed and turned towards his horse. “Ye think she will still be affectionate when ye kill Ryan? Ye are a fool, Logan.”

Beitris came striding up to them, thanking them for preparing the horses. Brody grunted towards her and then mounted his, riding away. Logan sighed and mounted his own horse. He and Beitris rode off at the same pace. His wound was no longer causing him as much trouble, although he assumed this was because of the euphoria he’d experienced the night before. An echo of it flared when he saw Beitris again. A hunger growled in the pit of his stomach, one that could not be sated with food.

“What’s the matter with him?” Beitris asked.

“I think he is annoyed tae be on patrol,” Logan said, not wishing to speak about the real reason.

Beitris’ eyes glowed with affection, but he could not enjoy it fully. He knew that one day that expression would change and instead she would look at him with hatred. He’d indulged his heart for one night, but he could not allow it to happen again. Ryan needed to die, and Beitris would never forgive him for that. But what was his love compared to the justice that Abigail needed? She had given so much to make sure he was safe, and he could not allow himself to be selfish now.

They rode out to the hills. Logan felt a little calmer out here, as though he had space to breathe. He sensed something though, a presence. His gaze darted across the hills, searching the shadows, waiting for it to reveal itself. His instincts were sharp.

There, near some heather. The slight shift of a head that went unnoticed by the others. It couldn’t have been anything other than Warnock’s hand reaching farther than it should.

“Over there, by the ravine. I think I saw something. Ye gae and check. I will stay here in case there are any others,” Logan said.

Beitris wore a concerned look, although she did not say anything. Brody just glared at him. Logan had to trust that he wouldn’t go rogue and capture Beitris himself.

As they headed towards the ravine, Logan made his way towards the heather, although not directly. He swung his head, acting as though he were still patrolling. Out of the corner of his eye he kept watch on the heather, making sure that the spy did not elude him. Logan moved into the trees and then slipped off his horse. His footsteps were light as he stole through the forest, moving like the wind. He made no noise and came up behind the spy. The man had a crooked nose and beady eyes.

Logan drew his sword.

“Halt, surrender yerself. I ken who is yer master. Ye will be my prisoner,” Logan said.