جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 740

“And yet here we both stand, unable to sleep. Why is that, Keeley?” he asked softly. “Are we going to continue to deny what it is we both want?”“Nay.”He went still. So still that the room went deathly quiet and only the howl of the wind could be heard. Cold rushed through the room, blanketing it in frigid layers. Keeley shivered and gathered her arms around her. She looked so vulnerable that every instinct in him cried out to protect her from harm. To cherish her and lavish on her all the patience and understanding he had in him.Then he cursed when another blast of cold air rushed through the room. The flame in the hearth flickered and sparked higher, fed by the draft. He hurried to the window to pull the furs down and then went to Keeley and pulled her into his arms, shielding her from the chill.Her heart beat frantically against his chest, and she trembled from head to toe.“Come over to the bed so you can wrap up in one of the furs while I build up the fire,” he said gently.Ca

He could barely swallow. She was so incredibly lovely that his teeth ached.“Come here,” he said as he held a hand out to her.She rose and awkwardly covered her breasts in an effort to maintain her modesty. She looked adorably shy as she slid onto the bed next to him.He pulled her into his arms, loving how easily she fit. “How are you feeling?”She nuzzled against his neck and pressed a kiss to the column of his throat. “Much better now.”“And you say I have a honeyed tongue.”She tilted her head and smiled. “Aye, you do. There’s no doubt after earlier.”“I’m glad I pleased my lady.”“Aye, you please me, warrior. You please me well.”He leaned in to kiss her. He meant for it to be a brief embrace, but he couldn’t pull himself away. Their lips made a soft smooching sound in the room. Their tongues met and dueled. This time she was more confident and much more passionate, willing to meet him halfway and demand her due.“We have a few hours before dawn. Come back to bed with me, Keeley

There was an edge of anger to Maddie’s tone and Keeley ripped herself away from the older woman. “Nay! He is as tortured as I am. He knows he must marry Rachael. We’ve both tried to ignore what is between us. ’Tis I who went to him last eve.”Maddie reached to trail her fingers down the locks of Keeley’s hair in a soothing manner. “ ’Tis hard when the heart must be denied. I don’t have words to tend the hurt. I wish I did. But you are a good lass, Keeley. You mustn’t allow the ills done to you in the past to influence you now. You aren’t a whore. You have a good and loyal heart. The Woods are fortunate to have you.”Keeley threw herself in Maddie’s arms and hugged the older woman fiercely. “Thank you, Maddie. ’Tis the truth I’ve never had dearer friends than you and the other women of the keep. I’ll never forget your kindness—or your understanding.”Maddie stroked Keeley’s hair and returned her hug. “Gannon has told the others that you’re tired and ailing. We all agree you’ve done muc

Caleb scowled. “I have no wish for you to die, Keeley. ’Tis not well done of you to suggest so.”She raised an eyebrow.Alan cut in impatiently. “A witch? And they believed this nonsense?”“Aye, well, I’d already caused them considerable pain. I fought them, allowing Crispen to run free. I bit the one who held me before him on his horse. He was already half convinced I was a demon from hell when I threatened to curse him.”Caleb chuckled. “You’re an ingenious lass. ’Tis amazing you were able to think so quick on your feet. The men likely ran for their lives.”She snuggled farther into Alan’s arms, her eyes closing.“Nay, lass, you must stay awake,” Alan said in alarm. He glanced frantically at Caleb. “Argue with her. Tease her or make her angry. She cannot fall asleep until we’ve warmed her and tended to her wounds.”Concern shadowed Caleb’s eyes. He leaned over to where Keeley lay nestled in Alan’s arms. “ ’Tis the truth I’m sorry I was nice to you, Keeley. You grow all soft and woma

Edward scowled at that, his face growing as dark as a thundercloud.“They crowed over the fact that they had managed to capture both your son and wife.”Edward leaned forward, his eyes intense. “Did they say anything else? Did they identify themselves? Did you recognize their crest?”Slowly she shook her head. Then her brows knit together in concentration. “There was one thing. They said that Cameron would reward them handsomely for their bounty. ’Twas all I remember. When they discovered I was not pregnant, they meant to kill me for they realized their error.”“Mercenaries,” Alan spat. “Cameron has posted a reward for the capture of Mary.”Edward let loose a string of blasphemies that had Keeley cringing. “There are many men without coin and nothing to lose by attempting to abduct Mary and my child.”“If they are mercenaries, they have no clan or keep to call home,” Alan said. “ ’Tis likely they are still nearby.”Edward’s lips curled and his nostrils flared. “Aye. ’Tis time to go hu