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Roselyn turned her face, seeking his. He kissed her, then groaned as she tightened around him. “Little minx, you know better than to seek to take over. Maybe I need to spank you again.”
“Maybe, if you believe it to be necessary, though I should very much prefer you to finish fucking me first.” The words were out before she could clamp her lips shut. Where had such coarse desires sprung from, let alone the temerity to give voice to them? Surely she could not have uttered such a lewd remark, whatever the circumstances. She started to apologise but his low, sensual chuckle shut off her words.
“Ah, my love, we shall make a slut of you yet. I shall enjoy that greatly, my beautiful little English harlot.”
“I am not a harlot for I shall only ever be with you.” She did not deny his other observation.
* * *
“Roselyn, might I prevail upon your company this afternoon?” Blair lounged at her side at the lord’s table, the remains of their slightly delayed midday meal before them. It had taken him mere moments to restore her clothing to a state of decency, following which he had led her back down to the hall.
Roselyn’s head still swam from their earlier encounter. It had been so intense, and so intimate. She had bared more than her bottom to him, though that had been compelling enough. He had heard her avow her love for him, and he had declared that he loved her too.
Could it be? Really? And if it were truly so, then what might their future hold?
“Roselyn, did ye hear me? Are you busy this afternoon?”
“Me, my lord? No, of course not. Did you require me to do something for you?”
“Yes, I would like it very much if you would accompany me on an errand.”
“An errand, my lord? Outside of Duncleit?” She could not contain her surprise. Roselyn had not ventured further than the castle and bailey in all the weeks she had been here.
“Aye. There is a world beyond and it is time ye experienced some of it, I think. My lands extend well beyond the burn a couple of miles to our east, and I am given to understand that the stream is partly dammed. Otters, no doubt, and debris from the recent rains, but it requires to be cleared before it causes problems for the crofters downstream who rely upon the fresh water. I shall ride there, along with a party of my men to aid the farmers. I thought you might enjoy the ride as ‘tis such a fine day.” He leaned in to whisper in her ear. “And it has come to my attention that ye could likely do with the exercise. I do believe you may be getting a tad over-excitable and I can only put it down to being confined to the keep for overlong.”
“Your concern for my health does you credit, sir, but I believe I might be able to offer an alternative explanation.”
“Do not trouble yourself, Lady Roselyn. I have made up my mind, you are to have an outing and there’s the end of it. I need to ready the horses but I shall stop by the kitchens and ask Elspeth to provide you with a warm cloak. Do you think you and Freya can make your own way to the stables or shall I summon Meggie too?”
The little housemaid’s services were required infrequently now, and Blair appeared to have abandoned his initial mistrust of the hound’s abilities to act as her guide. Roselyn relied heavily upon her canine companion. “There is no need to trouble Meggie, we shall manage perfectly well, my lord, and shall be there shortly. Is Freya to accompany us also?”
“I know better than to attempt to leave her behind. She would only trail after us so ‘tis better that we keep her close. The bloody animal could do with the exercise too, come to think of it.”
“He does not mean it, Freya.” Roselyn bent to whisper in the dog’s ear as Blair strode away across the hall. His footsteps faded to nothing as she rose to her feet and settled her hand on the hound’s shoulders. The dog led her to the steps, then remained at her side as she made her way carefully along the length of the hall, then out of the main portal and down into the bailey. Here there was much more activity, but the dog had become adept at negotiating the bustling crowds, somehow knowing that she needed to allow the additional space on her left flank for her mistress. The stables were at the far end of the courtyard, close to the outer gate. Roselyn’s preferred route was to make her way around the edge of the bailey, the curtain wall to her left. It may not be the most direct way, but she knew there to be no permanent obstacles on this side.
Several voices greeted her as she passed, cheerful and courteous all. Roselyn returned their good wishes and assured each who asked that she was perfectly fine and required no assistance.
It was true, she did not. She arrived at the stables to the sound of several horses already clattering on the cobbles, eager to be off.
“Excuse me.” She caught the sleeve of a groom close to her. “Could you tell The McGregor that I am here, if you please?”
“No need, my lady, he approaches now, and my lord Aiden.” The lad remained at her side until the familiar presence of her lord settled itself on her senses. She knew the moment he was close and reached for his hand.
“My lord, I trust I have not kept you waiting.”
“You have not. Aiden is here, also.”
“I know.” She turned to where she knew the other man stood, a foot or so to her lord’s right. “I trust you are well, sir?”
“Well enough, my lady.”
“How did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That Aiden was with me? Do not tell me he smells also.”
Roselyn laughed. “Alas, the truth is much more mundane. The stable lad told me. However he does have his own aroma, one of whisky and leather and something I could not quite name but which reminds me of the open forest. Apart from voices, which are all quite distinct also, this is how I know who is about me. I hope it is not disrespectful to make reference to it, for I mean no offence.”
