Page 60 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
He helped her out of the water and used his clean plaid to dry her a bit. “I’ll turn my back and you get dressed.”
She did as he suggested, removing her chemise and donning the tunic and her leggings. Then she joined him at the horse, where he lifted her onto his mount and climbed up behind her, the other horse following them. They said nothing on the ride back to the cave. The sounds of the water lapping against the coastline was the most beautiful music she’d ever heard.
When they made it back to the cave, they dismounted and she reached for him, tugging him closer. “My thanks to you for showing me all you did. It was the most wonderful experience.” She rubbed his arm.
His lips descended on hers and she was lost. Kissing Lennox was so luscious. He tasted like the mint leaves he chewed, and she loved being wrapped in his arms, his body pushed against her skin, inciting waves of tingling everywhere. She parted her lips and his tongue delved inside, dueling with hers until her breathing quickened, her body suddenly on fire.
How did it happen so quickly? He ended the kiss and her hand reached for his chest.
Lennox closed his eyes and stilled her hand, holding it inside his own. “Meg, your touch is too much for me. You have to tell me now or end this. Will you handfast with me for a year and aday? Once you touch me, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop. You’ve tested me since the day we met, and frankly, lass, I’m losing the battle.”
She stared up at him, her green eyes locking on his, still misting with tears. “I love you, Lennox. Aye, I will handfast with you.”
Lennox began the Gaelic chant he’d used on others in his clan, entwining his hand with hers as they pledged themselves to each other for a year and a day. He carried her into the back of the cave, whispering sweet words in her ear as he explained all that was about to happen.
She brought his lips down to hers, kissing him hard, teasing him with her tongue, and saying, “Just finish this. I wish to know all there is for us, but no more words, Lennox. Please.”
Lennox made sweet love to her, and Meg learned more about life in those few moments than she had in her seven and ten years. Life could be wonderful.
She had hope that all would be well soon.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Thane
Thane rode with Artan and one other guard, Magni in the saddle in front of him. “Do you think Lia is back yet? I surely hope she is. I miss my sister.”
“This is a meeting of the patrols, so I’m sure someone knows something.” They approached Dounarwyse Castle on MacVey land, the place chosen as the center of the groups. As soon as they arrived, horse hooves could be heard coming a short distance down the path.
Magni squirmed to peek around Thane’s shoulders as they entered through the gates and headed to the stable. “Who is it?”
“I would guess the Granthams. Dyna, Derric, Eli, or Alaric. It sounds as though they are coming from that direction.” Thane moved to set Magni down once he was close to the stable. “Artan, you will stay out here with the guards. Ask questions. You may hear different answers from what I hear inside.”
Magni let out a whoop of excitement as soon as he saw his friends. “Tora. I’m here. Sandor and Sylvi, we can all play together.” The lad loved nothing more than playing with others. He enjoyed playing with Tamsin’s daughter Alana, but she was a wee bit young for Magni, though he was very patient with the toddler.
Dyna let Tora down and with a yell said, “You will only play in the courtyard near the keep. No wandering outside.”
Thane understood exactly what she meant. After watching Lia and Magni stolen right in front of his eyes, he wasn’t willing to give them much freedom. In fact, they hadn’t been back to the beach since that awful day.
The group chatted in the courtyard before Sloan arrived with Rowan and his brother Rinaldo. Rowan jumped down quickly and joined the group of friends playing some form of tag.
Thane spoke quietly to Dyna. “Any word on Lia?”
“Nay, but I don’t think Lennox is here. Rut and Taskill are greeting us. And I don’t see Meg either. My father and Uncle Logan will be here shortly with Eli and Alaric.”
Once everyone had arrived and all the groups had gathered, they went inside, bringing the bairns with them, though the young ones were not happy about it. Except Magni.
Magni wished to hear about Lia, so he would not leave Thane’s side.
Rut laid out trays of berries and cheese for everyone while the serving lasses brought wine and ale, goat’s milk for the bairns. Sloan moved over to Eva and said, “My, but you are looking lovely today, Eva.”
Eva nearly snorted but said, “I look the same as I do every day, Sloan, except I have more worry lines on my face from my brother.”
Sloan took the hint and moved away while Thane hid his smile.
Once the serving lasses were done, Rut stepped up and said, “I will lead the meeting because Lennox and Meg have not returned from their search yet.”
This shocked Thane that Meg was with Lennox, and without a chaperone, apparently, but it was not his choice. He didn’t think Tamsin would approve, but he’d find out soon enough.
