Page 157 of Laird of Smoke
He chuckled.“There’s no need to fret.”Then he whispered, “To be honest, I bet I can count the number of virgin brides in my clan on one hand.”
“Adam la Nuit,” she scolded.
“’Tis true.The Rivenloch women are a hot-blooded tribe.My own mother—”
He stopped abruptly.
She’d heard it too.A sound coming from outside the stables.A person.
Panicked, she clutched the plaid to her chest.
He put a finger to her lips, indicating silence.
They were invisible in the dark.They were safe.So far.
But if whoever lurked outside came in, and if they carried a candle…
The door creaked open.Eve held her breath.
There was no candle.They couldn’t see her.She couldn’t see them.
Whoever it was entered and headed for the horses.When they walked, she could hear the squeak of leather and the clink of chain mail.The intruder was clad for battle.
While Eve breathed soundlessly, one of the horses whickered softly, and she could hear the stranger putting a saddle on the beast.
“Easy, lass,” the intruder said.“You and I, we’re going on a long journey.”
Eve didn’t recognize the young man’s voice.
Adam did.“Just where are you going, Brand?”
“Bloody shite!”his cousin cried, recoiling so suddenly it startled the horse.“Adam?Is that you?What the hell are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same,” Adam said.
“Don’t you have a wedding to attend to?”he challenged, calming the horse.“Or are you hiding out from your bride?”
“I’m here,” Eve said, startling him again.
“Holy Mother of…!”
“Sorry,” Eve mumbled.
“God’s teeth, Adam,” Brand said in disgust.“Is this your idea of a wedding night?The stables?There’s a perfectly good goose-down pallet in the wedding bedchamber.”
“Not anymore,” Adam said.
Eve couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
Brand made a sound of exasperation.“You know, the laird has the whole clan searching for the two of you.”
“Is that why you’re saddling up in full armor and going on a long journey?”Adam asked.“To look for us?”
Brand’s hesitation was damning.
Adam realized Brand hadn’t come to the stables looking for his missing cousin.He had his own motives.
“All this chaos makes it rather convenient for you, doesn’t it?”Adam said.
