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At recalling it, his cock hardened and he closed his eyes. It wouldn’t do for his body to have this reaction each time he thought of Anne. He resisted the urge, and, with an annoyed grunt, he pushed from the bed, washed and dressed, then tore the linens from the bed.

Chapter Eight

Anne woke, and as the world came into focus her first thought was about Camden. At first she’d thought it had been a dream, but the reality of all that occurred slowly sank in.

All control had been lost in those moments. His mouth had taken hers, and she kissed him back just as intensely. The tension that had built exploded as their bodies pressed together. Never in her life had she felt something so impactful.

Surely it had only been brought about because they both live alone, and the body had urges. At the same time, it was best they clarify that although it had happened once, it was best they not allow it to happen again. That meant they had to avoid situations where they’d be alone.

Anne brushed her hair away from her face and then braided it, her mind awhirl the entire time. She also had to insist that Camden never tell Moyra, if indeed they were courting. As much as she and the woman disliked each other, it would only make things worse.

Her plan in place, Anne headed to the village square.

The village center was bustling with activity. Anne deftly avoided colliding with a group of children dashing across her path as she neared a stand to admire their embroidered clothing.

“Anne,” Effie said, grabbing her by the arm, pulling her from the stall. “Did ye hear?”

“What has happened?” Anne said, taking Effie’s hands, her throat going dry. Immediately her gaze flew in the direction of the blacksmith shop. “My brother?”

“Gowan is fine, as far as I ken,” Effie said impatiently. “The old woman, Agnes, is dead. She was found on the ground, in front of her cottage.”

All breath left Anne’s lungs. “Outside? Why?” It was the only two words she could formulate.

Effie shrugged, concern etched on her pretty face. “That is all I was told. Then I hurried to find ye.”

Despite acknowledging that she should move, her body didn’t respond right away. Anne blinked away tears. “Aye, we must go.”

“I should have been more delicate in telling ye. Ye saw about her and were probably her only friend,” Effie said, giving her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. Then she took Anne’s hand. “We best hurry. I dinnae ken who is there yet.”

As they made their way from the village center, Anne caught sight of Camden. He stood just outside the doorway of the apothecary with Moyra. Seeming to sense her perusal, he looked over.

Moyra turned following his line of vision and placed a possessive hand on his forearm. Then she said something, getting his attention back.

“She will nae be happy until he succumbs and marries her,” Effie said with a huff. “If he does nae see it, then he’s daft.”

Her stomach clenched at the thought of Camden being married to Moyra. Which was ridiculous, as she had no claim on the man.

“Perhaps she will make a good wife,” Anne said, sounding insincere even to her own ears.

Effie snorted, “She will undoubtedly keep his interest in bed. However, her ways will have the opposite effect.”

Her friend turned her attention back to Anne. “Ye are pale. I am nae thinking straight. Ye have just had a shock, and I am babbling about Moyra and Camden.”

They hurried to the blacksmith’s shop to fetch Gowan so he could give them a ride on his wagon to Agnes’s cottage.

Upon arriving at the tiny cottage, several people were already there. An older couple and Beitris, who looked to Anne with sympathy.

“Where is she?” Anne asked, climbing down from the cart. “Where is Agnes?”

“Inside,” Beitris said. “We placed her on the bed for now.”

Her throat tightened as she made her way inside and sadness overtook her as she entered the humble home.

It was strange, but the interior of the cottage seemed devoid of life; it was as if in dying, Agnes took the life from the room. On the small cot, the slight body lay atop the bedding. She was covered to the chest with a blanket.

Beitris walked in and stood next to Anne. “I think she must have been outside all night. She was found just before dawn by one of the young men heading to the training center.”

Anne sniffed and nodded. “Bless her, poor thing.”