“The cook added a bit of onions and sage, and the fish is fresh. I caught it me self.” Beaming with pride, he left.
Colyne settled beside her, filled the spoon, and lifted it to her mouth. “Here.”
She shook her head. “I am still full from the earlier meal. Go ahead.”
“You need to eat more to regain your strength,” he urged, worry weighing his words.
“I will eat once you are finished.”
A muscle worked in his jaw. “I shall not eat unless you share this meal with me.”
She gave a long sigh. “You are stubborn.”
A smile touched his mouth. “Determined. After we are finished, if you are still hungry I will bring you more.”
Marie took the offered bite, along with a wedge of bread. She chewed slowly and then swallowed as Colyne ate the next scoop before refilling the spoon.
He lifted the broth to her mouth and his hand stilled.
She met his gaze and her breath caught, the desire within makingher aware her own pulse had begun to race. Marie accepted the food. “ ’Tis your turn,” she breathed, her need for him almost stealing her breath.
“So it is.” Colyne leaned forward and claimed her mouth, his warm taste nourishing. As quickly, he drew back. “I am sorry. You are too weak to—”
“I need you,” she whispered as she learned toward him, but he caught her shoulders, his hold gentle but unyielding.
“There are other reasons why we should nae,” he said.
“I know I am wrong to ask you, more so to never want what we have to end.” She stroked the strong curve of his jaw. “Make love with me, Colyne. Let us have this one last time together.”
“You are still weak.”
“Please.”
“I—” On a groan he claimed her mouth with a gentle kiss, and she surrendered completely. The light clatter of the bowl echoed from some faraway place, but she didn’t care. As the Kincaid continued to sail over the pristine waters of the North Sea, he pulled her to him, his kisses becoming more desperate, and all she knew was that at this moment, she’d never felt more alive.
A sharp knock sounded on the door. “Colyne,” Logan called from outside the cabin.
Marie’s blush tempted Colyne to ignore his friend. Instead, he pulled on his garb as she hurried to dress. He’d nae meant to make love to her, especially with her just recovering from her bout of seasickness, but throughout the night when she’d turned to him with a tender touch and quiet whispers, he’d succumbed to what he doubted any man could deny.
If he was damned for taking her, so be it. But before he’d given in to his yearnings, he’d made a decision. Once he’d finished delivering the writ from Robert Bruce, he would beseech her father to release her from her betrothal. If he agreed, he would court Marie. He wasna sure, but at this moment, with her in his every thought, wanting her as he never had any other woman, he couldna let her go.
“Aye,” Colyne called to his friend once they were both dressed.
Logan strode into the cabin, his face taut. “We have a problem.”
The hull of the Kincaid rubbed against the wooden pier, announcingthat they’d arrived in port. The shouts of the crew securing the ship echoed from outside.
Colyne tucked the writ to King Philip into the hidden fold of his undershirt. “What is wrong?” He leaned over and grabbed his cloak as Marie picked up hers.
“Renard’s men are here.”
Marie gasped.
With a curse, Colyne strode to a hidden vantage point and scanned the decks.
In the mix of sailors, cargo, and merchants bartering on the dock, moved the English duke’s knights.
“A sword’s wrath, I canna believe they are here!”
