Gwendolyn’s shoulders sagged with exhaustion as her husband departed. Alone, she withdrew several blankets and smoothed them over the bed. Thankful the rush of water and depth of the room inside the cliff smothered any chance of the scent of smoke being detected, she started a fire. As the tinder caught, flames rose up, offering comforting warmth.
Though summer, the cool dampness of the cavern had her wrapping a blanket around her shoulders. She stared at the flickering light, pondered the many times she and her father had stayed hereover the years.
She’d enjoyed their time together, whether on a walk, a hunt, or on their way to a destination. His laughter echoed in her mind, as did his recollections of her mother, and the tender way he’d spoken of the woman she missed withall her heart.
The stories of how her father had wooed his wife drew a smile. Every day he’d brought her mother a gift, each one more special than the one presented the day before. At first, she’d ignored his attempts to catch her interest, but in the end, her father’s determination had won her mother over.
One day, she hoped to find the same closeness her parents had enjoyed. How would it feel for a man to want her so much?
On a weary breath, she tugged the blanket up to her chin. For the second time she’d wed for duty, but in this union, though her husband was a stranger, he was becoming a man she could admire.
Except, she grumbled inwardly, for the way he had pushed her aside earlier, when she’d confessed her attraction...a draw even she did not quite comprehend. Though she agreed, the timinghad been poor.
The distant rumble of water had her glancing toward the exit illuminated in the flicker of flames where Bróccín had departeda while before.
Guilt edged through her. After helping her tenants flee, setting fire to the homes and fields, they’d spent hours getting away. They wereboth exhausted.
However much he pushed her away, by the flare of desire in his eyes when he looked at her, he was far from immune to her touch. To be fair, ’twasna desire that had him keeping her at a distance. Given their dangerous surroundings, his decision came from the need for preservation.
Shame filled her. Lured by need, however brief, she’d ignored the danger. On a sigh, she lay several sturdy limbs across the fire. Flames engulfed the dry wood, and she rubbed her hands against the building warmth.
Legs unsteady, she shoved to her feet and retrieved her satchel. She cut wedges of cheese, smoked meat, and bread, then arranged them on a piece of cloth. Gwendolyn filled two cups with wine. Wiping her hands, she headed into the tunnel to invite him back to eat.
But he wasn’t at the edge of the waterfall. Surprised, she scanned the area, frowned at the faint light shining from the passageway by which they’d entered. Curious where he’d gone, she headed down the tunnel. As Gwendolyn neared, she paused, watched as Bróccín, on his knees, slowly moved a candle along the forged steel door half-opened at the entrance.
Aware the rush of water would smother her voice, she walked up and tapped him on the shoulder.
At her sudden touch, he whirled, and then his body relaxed as hiseyes met hers.
She leaned closer to be heard without having to shout. “What are yousearching for?”
Face unreadable, Bróccín lowered the candle. “I was curious asto the design.”
Too tired to be intrigued, Gwendolyn glanced back to where water spilled with a ferocious roar. “I have laid out food for usin the cavern.”
He shifted. “Return to the chamber and rest. Once the sun has set, Iwill join you.”
She nodded and turned to leave, then hesitated, glancing at him over her shoulder. Guilt had Gwendolyn kneeling beside him. “Earlier, after we climbed out from under the shrub, I shouldna have become upset when you stepped away from me. We were in danger, and…” Heat swept her cheeks. “I was wrong to have wanted to kiss you.”
In the wavering of yellow light, intense green eyes locked with hers. “You have naught toapologize for.”
“But I—”
“As I stated before,” he cut in, his voice solemn, “I willna rush you into my bed. And I agree. With danger about, ’tis unwise to invite intimacy.”
She should be pleased by his unexpected understanding. Only too aware of him, she ached for his touch, to lean forward and press her mouth against his.
“Once we recapture Latharn Castle,” he continued, his voice devoid of emotion, as if they weren’t but a breath apart, “then we can allow our thoughts to turn to the need for an heir.”
* * * *
A man’s shout had Aiden glancing to the ledge above.
Several knights moved along the bank at the top of the falls.
Blast it, he’d been so shocked by Gwendolyn’s innocent words, he had missed themen’s approach.
“They have followed us here,” Gwendolyngasped. “How?”
