How then did she get in there? Frustrated that she did not see a way, she continued to meander around the village.
“A storm approaches.”
Heather glanced up at the sky and was surprised to see that gray clouds had gathered overhead and was about to agree with Seamus when she looked at him and saw that he leaned heavily on a walking stick. “Are you not feeling well, Seamus?”
“It is just an old injury that troubles me when storms brew and winter sets in and reminds me how old I am getting.” He stepped closer. “Have you discovered where they took Aggie?”
“No, but I promise you I will.”
His head drooped. “Before it is too late, I hope.”
Heather placed her hand on Seamus’s arm. “You have my word, Seamus, that I will find out what is happening to the old McComb villagers, and I promise I will make sure that you remain here with your daughter and her family.”
Tears came to the old man’s eyes. “I never thought I would grow old. I thought a battle would get me before age would and I sometimes wish it had. I watch the Dragon and his men on the practice field and long for the days I was that young and spry. I do not like growing old.”
“Daaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
“There she goes again, my Alaina,” Seamus said with a shake of his head and a smile.
“She keeps a good watch on you. I believe she loves you very much.”
“Aye, she looks after me. You should head back to the keep, my lady, soon now the sky will drop buckets of rain on us.” He went to turn and stopped. “I remembered something Fane once told me that might help with finding the secret passage.”
“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
“Bless her, she thinks my legs still move as fast as they once did. Quick now, let me tell you what I recall. Fane said that if there was ever an attack and the sword took him that I was to take Mary to her solar on the upper floor, and he told me to take my family with me.”
“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
“I must go, my lady, and I thank you for any help you can give me.”
Heather watched him amble off, calling out to his daughter as he did and when he was a good distance away, she turned and hurried off, her destination Mary’s solar.
She did not know if she was followed and did not care. She was determined to solve the mystery of the secret passage. If rain fell soon, it would drive her husband into the keep and he would no doubt search for her. She had little time to spare. She hurried up to the upper floor and grabbed the torch from the sconce. She entered Mary’s solar and used the torch to light the logs in the small hearth. They caught quickly, the wood dry from having lingered there. She returned the torch to the sconce and when she stepped in the room again, she was pleased to see that the hearth’s flames had cast sufficient light in the room.
In here was the secret passage and she intended to find it.
An hour later, with dust covering a good bit of her and smudges of dirt dotting her face, Heather was no closer to finding the secret passage than she had been when she had first entered the room. Though, the room was much cleaner than before and much more inviting. She could understand why Mary McComb and her mum spent time here stitching and talking. The things they must have discussed, the hopes and sorrows they must have shared, just as she did with her sisters. She onlywished her mum could have been there to share the years with them.
“What are you doing here?”
Heather jumped, her hand going to her chest. “Can you please announce your approach before you actually appear? You forever startle me.”
“And you forever?—”
“Disobey you—” she finished while the rest of what she intended to say abruptly died on her lips. She had seen her husband look formidable many times, but nothing like he did now. His muscles were swollen hard from exertion and sweat clung to his naked chest and arms, as if it refused to let go, and she could not blame it. She would love to be clinging to him right now and the wicked thought had, to her frustration, tingles nipping teasingly at the most intimate of places. She forced herself to finish what she had to say. “I know I forever disobey you and I see an unlikely chance of that ever changing.”
Rhys battled his growing arousal, but then he had been battling it since last night. It was the reason he had left their bed before she woke this morning or else they probably would still be there. Now, seeing her covered in dust and dirt marring her lovely face made him want to dirty her even more with his sweat-covered body. And damn if the thought did not turn him harder.
He slammed the door so hard behind him after stepping fully into the room that the whole keep must have heard it. “You will learn to obey me.”
Heather had always found that kind words went far and could help avoid potentially difficult situations, but that was before passion took hold of her.
She walked over to him and leaned up to whisper in his ear, “Make me.”
He grabbed the back of her neck tightly. “You are playing with fire.”
God help her but she was, but she did not care. She needed to know the Dragon, taste him, and become part of him if she was ever going to truly be reunited with Quinn. “I do not fear getting burned.”
