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He makes a sound then, filthy and feral, and I think it may be the loveliest thing I have ever heard in my life.

“You are a cruel temptress.”

“Aye,” I say. “And yet you still desire to be in my presence.”

His eyes darken further, if such a thing is possible.

“How am I meant to go about the day with a constant erection?”

I lift one shoulder. “Sounds very much like a problem belonging entirely to you.”

He reaches for me then, quick as a striking thing, but I’m already laughing and skipping out of reach.

“Rosie—”

He curses, all heat and frustration and promise.

“Do remember me fondly while I’m gone!” I call out.

His answer comes at once, and it makes me grin like a fool.

“As if that were in any danger.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

RÓISÍN

Ihave enough of my senses about me to remember I shouldn’t walk in grinning like a woman freshly kissed out of her mind.

I school my face as best I can before stepping through the kitchen door, though I’m not fool enough to think Maeve couldn’t read me if she cared to look close. Blessedly, she has other matters on hand.

Aileen is seated near the hearth with a blanket round her shoulders. Maeve is beside her on the bench, one hand wrapped over both of Aileen’s as she speaks sweetly to her. Aileen’s face is clean of tears now, but she looks pale and hollowed still, like one hard breath might crack her open again.

Maeve glances up as I come in.

“There you are.”

“Aye,” I say, perhaps a touch too quickly. “Where else would I be?”

Maeve’s eyes narrow the barest fraction at that, but if she thinks anything of it, she has the grace not to say so. She only rises from Aileen’s side and crosses to me, drawing me in with a look that says she wants a private word.

“How is she?” I ask, glancing back toward Aileen.

Maeve’s face gentles. “Shaken. Worn through. But she is safe for now, and that’s all that matters.”

“Has she said how Ewan found out?”

Maeve’s mouth tightens. “That hasn’t come up yet. I’ll get it from her later, if she can bear it. I’ve my suspicions all the same, and I’ll deal with the matter properly.”

I give a tiny nod.

Maeve looks over her shoulder at her. “I’ll stay with her awhile now. Later, when you’ve a free moment, sit with her if ya can? There’s no great need to pick her over with questions. Only let her see she is not alone.”

“Aye,” I say.

That’s all that needs saying. The rest is best done and not spoken about.

A sound comes from the doorway then, and I turn to see Ellen coming in at last.