Page 55 of Love Beyond Words
“Ah. I forget that ye still know so little about me, lass. Most of The Eight came from humble families, so they were free to use their true names when they pledged their loyalty to Nicol and this Isle. My family owns a large portion of Northern Scotland. My brother was laird there for many years. If it were ever to be known that I abandoned my familial clan and pledged my loyalty to another, it would’ve caused many problems for my brother when he was alive, so I took another name when I came here.
“While we dinna know it at the time, ’twas good that I did so. When my brother and his wife were murdered, his land was passed to me. I became laird of Allen territory. ’Twas not truly mine by right, as I broke my vows to my familial clan long ago, but because I hid my true name, it allowed me to see my brother’s people settled after his death and to take the time I needed to sign the land over to someone I knew to be trustworthy.”
“I’m so sorry, Raudrich.”
He sighed and straightened himself just a little.
“Thank ye. I dinna know my brother as well as I wish I had. Though, the loss of him was painful, all the same.”
His tone made it clear it wasn’t something he liked to speak about. I hurried to change the subject.
“I’ve realized something, Raudrich. I think it is time that I make my peace with being here. I don’t think I’ll ever be going home.”
He was quiet a long moment. When he did speak, his voice was thoughtful.
“How do ye feel about that? There must be much that ye left behind. It canna be easy.”
It was a short ride to the castle gates. I could already see them in front of us.
“Not the way I should feel about it, probably. I’ll miss my sister dreadfully, but…I don’t know. Would you believe me if I told you that even though I’ve only been here a few days, I feel as if I’m meant to be here? As if this time was meant to be my real home all along?”
Raudrich pulled on the horse’s reins as we reached the gate. He dismounted quickly and turned to offer me his hands. I allowed him to pull me off and into his arms. Our bodies rubbed against one another as he slowly set me to my feet. He didn’t step away. He stood there with his hands on either side of my ribs as he looked down into my eyes.
“I told ye last night, lass. ’Tis not only this time I think yer meant for, but this verra castle, as well. I believe ye shall find yer heart here. Mayhap, the love ye’ve always wished for.” Whether it was the tavern ale or my determination to be bold, I didn’t know, but for once in my life, I allowed myself to say the exact thing that was on my mind.
“And you think you might be that love?”
He smiled and moved his right hand to the side of my face, cupping it gently as his thumb trailed back and forth across my cheek.
“I doona believe either of us can say that yet, but whomever captures yer heart shall be lucky to have it. If time shows us that I am that man, I shall wake up every blessed day grateful for it.”
I was shaking again, and my cheeks were warm from more than just ale.
“Kiss me then, not because you’re trying to save me from some jealous faerie, but simply because you want to.”
“What makes ye think that I do want to kiss ye, lass?”
There was a test in his question. He wanted my certainty, none of the doubt I’d shown him the night before.
“Oh, you don’t, huh?” I smiled at him so he’d know I wasn’t upset by his question. “I guess I’ll just…” I brushed past him and started to walk away, but he quickly reached for my hand and spun me back toward him.
“There ye are, lass—a woman who doesna doubt what she does to a man. How long have ye kept her locked away?”
I answered honestly. “Forever, I think.”
He leaned in until his lips were nearly touching my own.
“Please doona ever lock her away again. Allow me to show ye just how powerful she is.”
His kiss was hungry and demanding as he pulled me against him. I reached for his hair as I leaned into him. I cried out into his mouth as he gently nipped at my lip.
“The distance to the castle shall seem like an eternity, lass. Best we get the horse to his stable before I doona have the strength to pull away from ye.”
Just as he broke our kiss, the sound of horses approached and a very American voice spoke out through the darkness.
“Raudrich, I am going to freaking kill you. Do you know how long it’s taken me to find you?”
Chapter 33
