A cool breeze battered his face, and he glanced skyward. Dark gray clouds moving in from the west brought the threat of a storm. With a sigh, he glanced toward the fortress. He couldn’t linger. Much remained to be done. Meeting with the duke and culling information to pass on to the Bruce. As for the lass…He grunted. With her on edge about the upcoming night, no doubt she would avoid him.
Confidence in his plan restored, and with his men safely on their way to King Robert, Aiden reined his mount towardthe stronghold.
* * * *
“Lord Balfour arrives,” a guard calledfrom the tower.
Heart pounding, Gwendolyn shifted her gaze past the battlements to where, against the fading ball of sun on the horizon, Bróccín cantered toward the gatehouse. Forcing an expectant look on her face, she tamped down the fear and walked to the turret. However much she wanted to bolt down to the bailey to meet him, she refused to raise suspicion.
Hurried steps echoed from below. Torchlight wavered with violent shadows as an English guard appeared, rushed past.
Thank God he hadn’t stopped. Alone, she quickened her pace. Pulse racing, she exited the keep, moved across the sun-dried turf, praying those watching attributed any signs of nervousness were due to her being a new bride anxious for her husband’s arrival.
Bróccín cantered beneath the arched stone entry with the confidence of a warrior, his air unapproachable, and his stalwart bearing commanding respect. For the first time since they had met, Gwendolyn found herself grateful for his daunting presence.
He drew his steed to a halt before her. Eyes unreadable, the earl dismounted, handed the reins to an awaiting lad.
Forcing a smile on her face, she rushed forward. “Welcome home, my husband,” she said loudly, forcing cheer into her voice. “Put your arms around me as if you welcome my presence,” she whispered, “then draw me close asif to kiss me.”
His entire body stiffened. “Wh—”
“Do it,” she ordered, leaning in.
Green eyes narrowed, then strong hands wrapped around her waist, pulled her flush against him.
Gwendolyn lifted on her toes and pressed her mouth against his. A fraction of a second passed. On a soft groan, his arms tightened, and his mouth claimed her, hot and hard. A shudder ripped through her as his taste, touch, poured through her until her mind blurred.
Until she almost forgot why she had initiated thisdemonstration.
Almost.
Heart pounding, she broke off the kiss and leaned her head against his shoulder. “That should appear believable,” she murmured. “Dinna look around, but cup my chin as ifin affection.”
He complied.
“We are in grave danger,” she whispered. “The duke has seized the castle.”
His thumb slid along her lower lip as his gaze covertly skimmed the stronghold and then shifted toher. “Explain.”
The calmness of his voice belied the fury blazing in his eyes, an anger that matched her own. “This morning, after I saw to the health of an elder in a nearby crofter’s hut, I returned to the keep. As I walked down a corridor, from an open door ahead, I overheard the duke informing one of his nobles that my guards were taken care of and Latharn Castle was now under English control. Worse”—she rasped, damning the tremor in her voice—“he stated that his hosts could now be disposed of.”
Bróccín’s jaw tightened, and he skimmed his mouth along the curve of her jaw. “Why would he betray Lord Comyn?”
“Icanna be sure.”
“Thank God you are safe.” Her husband lifted her face, his gaze intense. “You should have escaped and then tried to find me.”
Though she’d once dreaded his existence, she couldn’t help feeling comforted by his presence. “I needed to warn you.”
His hands slid down her back, pressed her body fully against his, nor did she miss the flash of heat in his eyes. “What of Sir Pieres and the knights who went on thehunt with me?”
“I met with Sir Pieres in the stables upon his return. In brief, I advised him of the situation and ordered him to leave with the men. I warned, if anyone asked the reason for their departure, to explain they needed to hunt further. But, once out of view, to return and enter through the secret tunnel, hide there, and await further orders.”
His brow arched with interest. “Asecret tunnel?”
Before she could reply, the entry to the keep thudded open.
On a nervous breath, she stepped back, forced a smile, then tucked strands of hair that had come loose from her braid into place.
