Page 26 of The Highlander's Dangerous Bride

“Nay!”

“What are ye really up tae?”

“The stomach ache I had earlier has come back. I need the chamber pot, I tell ye.”

“A likely story. I dinnae believe a word of it, and I’ll nae give up until ye tell me the truth.” He leaned up on his elbow and turned her over, so she was forced to meet his eyes. He looked adorably rumpled from sleep, but she shrank from his probing gaze, knowing her cheeks were flaming with shame.

“Tell me the truth! Were ye gonnae leave again?”

She gave up and threw caution to the wind. “Nay! I have a belly ache because me courses are startin’, and I didnae want tae bleed all over the bed! And I didnae want ye tae ken.”

He gave a barking laugh. “Jaysus, why did ye nae just say so?”

“’Tis an embarrassin’ thing fer a lady tae have tae speak about with a man. That was why I was tryin’ tae be quiet,” she hissed, seeing no other way to convince him but brutal honesty.

“Well, ye neednae be so coy about it. We have a son together, remember,” he replied, chuckling.

“That isnae the point,” she argued, feeling thoroughly humiliated. She threw the covers back and got out of bed. “Would ye mind nae watchin’ me?” she added, giving him a hard glare. “I’d like some privacy.”

“Go on about yer business,” he told her, “I’ll nae watch, I swear.”

“Ach!” She turned away, but not before she saw he was smiling. As she reached for the chamber pot, she realized it was the first time she had seen him genuinely smile for the past two days. Embarrassed as she was, she could not prevent the way her lips curled up at the corners to see it.

Raven’s period had indeed arrived overnight, and she was still suffering from painful cramps when she awoke next to Arne the next morning. She wondered how she was going to be able to ride to the castle, with every jolt causing her discomfort. So, she made some of the willow bark tea for Arne and herself. After a while, the cramps began to ease a little, and she thought she would manage. The castle was only a couple of hours ride away.

“How are ye feelin’?” she asked him as they were seated on the bed, breakfasting on sweet rolls and tea.

“Me leg’s very sore and stiff, but nae too bad considerin’. That infernal concoction certainly helps,” he replied, grimacing.

“Aye, it does taste foul, but it seems tae work. I’ll change the dressin’ when ye’re ready,” she offered, polishing off a roll.

“I can dae it mesel’,” he told her stubbornly.

“But ’tis easier fer me,” she protested, once again smarting at his rejection of her help.

“Nay, I’ve had worse. I can manage by mesel’, I tell ye,” he insisted. He had finished eating and was now swinging his legs out from under the covers, testing his weight on his injured leg.

“Alright.” She gave a small shrug to hide how hurt she really was. She watched him as he began to move stiffly about the room, without using the crutch Meg had given him. He struggled a bit at first, grimacing at the pain, but he persisted and though he had quite a limp for the time being, he was clearly pleased to be able to walk unaided.

“D’ye think ye’ll be all right tae ride today?” she asked, worried for anything that would delay her seeing Thorsten.

“Aye, I’ll be fine,” Arne declared robustly. As though Raven were not in the room, he went over to the washstand and stripped off his shirt. Standing naked with his back to her, he picked up soap and a washcloth and made liberal use of the hot water the maids had brought up with the breakfast.

Raven stared over the rim of her teacup; tendrils of desire unfurled within her as her gaze slowly traced the once familiar, intimate architecture of his powerful, muscle-packed body.

She wanted so much to go to him and run her fingers through his soft fair hair. It shone brightly in the wintry sunlight filtering through the window. She wanted to feel it tickling her naked skin again.

Every move he made, however small, brought her a fresh thrill. She eyed his tattoos, which seemed to come alive under the rippling interplay of muscles across his broad back and shoulders. Her eyes drifted lower, and she admired the high tautness of his buttocks, and his long, strong legs, which had the girth of five-year old saplings.

A shiver of desire traveled through her, a yearning for his rough, masculine beauty and strength, which had once been hers to possess and enjoy. He called to something deep inside her. He was the only one to have shown her what real pleasure was between a man and a woman when they lay together. She would never forget that.

Still, knowing he hated her and that his body was no longer hers to touch was far more painful than her period cramps.If only I could tell him how much I missed him while I was away, how me heart ached fer his company during the long days, and how me body ached fer him during the even longer nights. How much I care fer him even though he’s changed.

She tried to concentrate on Thorsten and the fact that she would never desert him like her father had rather than letting her eyes dwell any longer on Arne, engaging in pointless longing. So, while he continued to get ready for the journey—changing his own dressing—she focused on preparing her own things.

Once they had both washed and dressed warmly for the chilly spring weather, they carried their baggage down to the main bar. Arne paid the landlord, and they both thanked him for all he and the staff had done for them during her recovery. Then, they went outside into the cold, misty air and headed for the stables.

Arne’s own stallion was saddled and waiting for him. It greeted him with happy nods and soft whickers and rubbed its nose against his face. He stroked it and whispered soft words in its ears. She knew it was ridiculous, but Raven felt a flash of jealousy, wishing he would show her half the affection he was showing his horse.

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