She waved her hand back and forth between them. “I want you to notice that right now, this instant, we are having a conversation. It’s really not hard, is it? Think you, we can carry this on for the rest of the day?”
He actually smiled at that. “I didn’t mean to be curt with you this morning. I just don’t like to talk while I travel.”
“Very well then, I shall forgive you. But only so long as you make it a point not to ignore me in the future.”
“I shall try.”
Sin watched her walk off, his heart heavy. She was a great beauty and he didn’t mean her looks. Her beauty was soul deep and possessed a brilliance he’d never known existed.
In that moment, he ached for her. Ached to be a man like Simon.
If he were honorable and decent...
He clenched his teeth. There was nothing to be done about it. He was what he was and there was no way to change it.
Sighing in regret, he returned to tending his horse.
By the time they reached Ravenswood the next day, Callie was more than ready for a night of good, solid rest. The inn they’d stayed in the day before had been cramped and cold. The innkeeper sour and dour.
It had been a miserable night spent with Jamie’s elbows and feet digging into her while she wondered where her husband was sleeping.
But tonight there would be plenty of room for Jamie to have his own bed and her husband would not be able to escape her. Aye, she would keep him by her side even if she had to tie him to her.
Simon had become more and more anxious the closer to Ravenswood they rode, and as soon as the massive castle came into view, he spurred his horse forward, racing down the hill toward it.
“I think he’s excited,” she said to Sin.
“Aye, he and his brother have always been close. Much like you and Jamie.”
She glanced to where Jamie slept, nestled in Sin’s arms. Jamie had grown so weary an hour back that Sin had feared he would fall from his horse. Sin had stopped and pulled the lad to ride with him so that Jamie could nap in peace.
Jamie held the face of an angel while he slumbered and she didn’t miss the gentleness of Sin. For a man who wanted no children, he showed a kind concern that many men lacked.
By the time they entered the well-kept, stylish bailey, Simon was standing with a very handsome, tall, dark-haired man and a blond lady who looked to be expecting a child any day. The man held a toddler in his arms and looked upon them with brotherly affection.
He must be Draven of Ravenswood.
“Sin,” Draven greeted with a hint of reserve in his demeanor. “It’s been a long time.”
Sin reined his horse just before the three of them. Something insidious and painful crossed Sin’s brow as he glanced around the lovely yard that bustled with servants attending their duties.
A haunted look came into his dark eyes and was shared by the man before her.
“Aye, Draven, it has. You look well and happy. Congratulations.”
Draven smiled. “The same to you.”
Simon came forward to take Jamie so that Sin could dismount. Sin, in turn, helped her from the saddle and led her to the happy couple while their horses were led away by stable hands.
“My wife, Caledonia,” he said to Draven.
Draven’s eyes widened a bit in surprise, but he quickly concealed it. He turned to the pregnant lady and his face instantly softened. “My wife, Emily.”
Simon laughed. “Could we be anymore stilted, gentlemen? These ladies would never know the trouble the two of you once brewed.”
Draven laughed at that. “Us? I recall it was you doing most of it while we pulled you from harm’s way.”
“Lies!” Simon cried. “I was an innocent led astray by you demons of Lucifer.”
