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“Yes,” Cadell agreed, standing back up with decision. “But before we do, I will wrap your wrist to hold it in place. It will help alleviate the pain and prevent further damage.”

Before she could reply, he ran back to the horses and extracted a blanket from his saddlebag.

“Here,” he instructed, once more the efficient helper, “hold your arm bent and against your chest. I will wrap this around you in support.”

He started what felt like the most tantalizing seduction. Every time his fingers brushed against her, or his head lowered to hers or a part of his body came in contact with hers, Johanna fell deeper into an abyss of need. Was Cadell aware that, for her, this was like a seduction, just as enticing as if he had consciously tried to make her surrender? Had she not known any better she would have sworn he was undressing her.

“Here,” he said, tying the knot behind her back. “Try it now.”

Johanna took in a deep breath. Thank God it was over. She had been on the verge of doing something unwise. Then she tried to move her arm and gave Cadell a smile when she realized that she could not. It did feel good not to have to worry about hitting her wrist against something. She could relax and not worry about the pain.

“Thank you,” she said, genuinely touched.

No one had ever taken care of her in that way. Having produced strong sons to ensure the succession, her parents hadn’t thought it necessary to lavish their attention on their only daughter, and her brothers, some of them more than a decade older, had either teased or ignored her. Her wishes had always been dismissed as unimportant, her comfort had never been a priority, and her happiness had not even been a consideration. This was one of the reasons—the biggest reason, in fact—why she had been drawn to Rhun. He had made her feel as if she mattered, as if she were wanted for once. But there had been nothing extraordinary in that. He had wanted to marry her, so, of course, he would have given her the impression that he was interested in her.

But Cadell… Though he had no reason to, he had made it clear that he cared about her safety and comfort.

Not only was he taking care of her, but he was doing it without expecting any reward, and in a way that made her feel…cherished. He was issuing instructions without ever sounding authoritarian, putting her at ease. He had a way of talking to her, so matter-of-fact and yet gentle, that was both soothing and natural.

That was a rare gift, and she felt sure that this was the real Cadell, not the brusque, disconcerting man she had seen at the banquet.

“Now,” he said, taking a step back as if satisfied with his handiwork. “What do you want to do? I can either walk with you and hold both horses’ reins or help you up on Haearn so we can ride together. It would be faster and less tiring that way.”

He lifted his head to the skies and gave a groan. Johanna immediately understood why. While they’d examined her wrists, the sun had lost the fight and been swallowed by the enormous dark clouds. It would not be long before the rain started. And it would not be a mere drizzle.

“I think we should ride,” Cadell said, echoing her thoughts. “The faster we reach Bryn Glas, the better.”

“I agree,” she said, walking over to the place where the horses were tethered.

“You’re going to have to ride pillion, I’m afraid, as I’ll need to lead your horse as well. Do you think you’ll be able to hold on to me with one arm?”

“Yes. Don’t worry about me.”

She was no longer alone, and assured of reaching Bryn Glas safely, which was more than she could have hoped for only a moment ago. She would be fine.

Cadell vaulted into the saddle, then brought his stallion next to a fallen log. He took his foot off the stirrup so she could use it to hoist herself up, then he leaned over and wrapped a strong arm around her waist to help her up. It was awkward but between them they managed to get her in a comfortable position.

Once she had made some adjustments to her dress, she told him, “I’m ready to go.”

He nodded and nudged the horse onward and went to get Blossom, who was still tethered on the bush.

“Hold on to me. We’re only going to trot but still, you’re sitting very far back. I don’t want you to slide off.”

No. She didn’t either. And so Johanna found herself pressed tight against a strong, warm, masculine body that exuded power and smelled intoxicating. Dear God, dangerous was definitely the right word to describe the situation she was in.

To alleviate her discomfort, she seized on the first thing that came to mind.

“Haearn, your horse’s name. Doesn’t it mean Iron?” She remembered this word, which she had heard only the other day. “It’s rather an odd choice, is it not? Sorry, I didn’t mean to criticize,” she added belatedly.

What was she doing, making it sound as if she thought him silly for choosing a metal to name his horse? What did it matter to her?

“It is an odd name, but I didn’t choose it.” Cadell gave a sigh. “It was a jest from Peredur ap Geraint, a boy who was fostered with us at Castell y Ddraig. His family is very rich and he has more money than he knows what to do with. When he left, he bought Siaspar and me a horse each. Arian, or Silver, for Siaspar, who was white even as a young foal and, Haearn, or Iron, for mine. The allusion to the fact that Siaspar had just become master of the place, whereas I was still no one, was blatant.”

“How cruel.” To make a mockery of the fact that he had lost everything was awful. Johanna privately thought that she would like to meet this Peredur and tell him what she thought of his attitude.

She felt Cadell shrug against her cheek. “It was not cruel, as it was nothing but the truth. And after all, I was gifted with a beautiful horse, so it’s not all bad.” He gave his stallion an affectionate pat on the neck. “Anyway, the jest fell flat because Haearn, who was still quite young at the time, started to lose his gray hair soon after. That was six years ago. As you can see, he will soon match Arian in color.”

“Yes. Odd how horses can change,” Johanna said, remembering the pony she’d had as a child, which had gone from dark brown to white in the course of his lifetime. “People as well.”