“I think it is the opposite. I am lucky to have found her.” The happiness that had dominated her features a moment ago wilted into sadness. “Especially since everyone I love is gone.”
The emotion in her tone hit Ian like a stone. “Ye’ll soon be reunited with your cousin.”
She nodded, her lips turned down, and he wondered if she thought there was a possibility that he would not be able to fulfill his duty. “I do hope so. I miss her terribly.”
“I am positive of the fact.” And he needed her to be too. There was strength in believing in outcomes.
Rhiannon studied him, her gaze roving over his body in a way that was part observation, part judgment. “You think highly of your skills.”
“I do. My brother would not have sent me if he thought otherwise. Ye can trust me, lass.”
She cocked her head to the side, curiosity flickering in her gaze. “Your brother?”
“Aye, your cousin’s husband is my brother. Did I no’ mention that before?”
“This whole day has been so chaotic, I cannot remember. But I think it safe to say you have a personal stake in my rescue then so as not to disappoint your kin.” For a second, he would have sworn he saw disappointment wash over her features before it was gone and replaced by a mask he was starting to recognize.
“Aye. And I care about your cousin.” He looked at her pointedly, wanting her to understand this wasn’t just any rescue mission, but family helping family. “The entire clan adores her, including myself. She makes my brother verra happy.”
Rhiannon nodded, picked at something on the front of her gown and asked, “And does he do the same for her?”
Ian could read into the way she asked such an important question so casually. All she would have had before now was her cousin’s letters, which might have attested to the nature of their very loving relationship, but still, Rhiannon might have been concerned. Worried if Douglass had been coerced. After all, Noah had plucked her from the doorstep of their enemy and declared her his bride. But despite their not-so-conventional start, Ian had never seen two people more in love.
“Aye. Verra much so, lass.”
“They are both very lucky.” Rhiannon looked toward where they’d come from, the corners of her eyes pinched. “My brother betrothed me to his enemy. Consigned me to a life of torment and told me it was my duty. Since when was it a sister’s duty to pay for a brother’s debts with her life?”
“’Tis no’, lass. He is no’ a good brother. Nor does it sound as if he is a good man.”
Again, her gaze focused downward as she shook her head. “Nay, he is not.”
“And we will have more than one army coming after us. His and your betrothed?”
She nodded, eyes on the way they’d come. Ian noticed a tremble in her hands as she pushed her hair back from her shoulders.
“Probably so,” she said with a shrug. “Though since I was betrothed to pay a debt, perhaps that man will take my brother’s head instead.”
“Does that worry ye?”
“Aye and nay.” She reached behind her head and began to plait her hair, fingers moving nimbly through the locks slightly tangled from the ride.
“Care to explain?”
“Not really.” Again, the casual shrug that belied the deeper feelings she didn’t share.
“Fair enough.” Ian understood her desire to keep her thoughts to herself. He hoped she’d feel comfortable enough to tell him when she was ready. For now, he gestured to the horse. “Shall we?”
Rhiannon nodded and stepped up to George’s saddle. She placed the cat on the leather, where Goosie pawed the reins as if she were about to take over and issue the order to gallop away. With easy grace, Rhiannon lifted herself onto the back of the horse, her long leg swinging over the side, a flash of her boots visible beneath the hem of her voluminous skirts.
Ian wasn’t surprised at the ease with which she was able to mount and handle the horse. After all, Douglass was an excellent rider as well. Perhaps that was another thing their uncle had taught them well. Though he was English, the lord had deemed that the two women would be accomplished in things that some men deemed masculine. Ian just admired a woman for her abilities.
“Are you coming? Or are you going to examine me until my brother or his enemies arrive?” She raised a challenging brow in his direction, breaking Ian’s not-so-discreet stare.
But rather than be embarrassed at being caught staring, he chuckled, somehow at ease with her teasing and not at all caring that she’d caught him raking her with his gaze.
Ian mounted, this time behind her. The warmth of her back seeped into his already heated chest. The exertion of their earlier escape had been extensive, and a few minutes’ rest barely cooled him down. Which meant it was likely not enough for his horse either. And her round arse against his groin... this was going to be a long and arduous ride. He settled his hands on her hips and shifted her forward an inch, so she was at least not touching him. Mostly.
They were hours from the border, and he couldn’t risk stopping for longer until they’d left England and safely made it onto Scottish lands. Not that they were always safer there, depending on whose land they crossed. But at least with his own people, he could negotiate far better than if the English stopped him.
