as he filled her again and again.
She held him close, kissing his neck and squeezing her legs around him as the release she’d found a short time ago began to coil within her once more. She hadn’t known what to expect before, but now she did.
“Come with me, Elspeth.” He kissed her as her muscles tightened again. He’d told her to fall, and she had. Now she dove off the edge willingly, plunging herself into the darkness, knowing he would do as he’d promised and catch her.
He moaned as he drove into her, then cried out. She dug her fingers into his flesh and clutched him as the storm raged within and around them. Eventually, the air calmed. He kissed her cheek, her lips, her neck, then slid from her body, rolling to his back.
Elspeth smiled as she brushed her hair back from her face. Before she could open her eyes, the sound of a door crashing open jolted her upright. Tavish did the same.
She looked toward the door to her chamber, but the sound hadn’t been that close. Loud voices filtered from somewhere downstairs—the common room, most likely, which was below her room.
Tavish leapt from the bed and ran to the window. He pushed the curtain aside and looked down.
“What is it?” Elspeth asked, sliding to the edge of the bed.
He swore, then came back to her and immediately began to dress. Elspeth left the bed and found her shift, then pulled it on.
“I’ll go investigate,” Tavish said after he had his breeches on. He dragged his shirt over his head. The sound of men yelling from the landing made them both freeze.
Tavish swore again, then raced for Lann Dhearg on the other side of the bed. “There’s no time. They’re here for the sword.”
He went to the window. “Thank God these are newer windows.” He opened the sash, then turned his head. “I’ll make sure you’re safe. Don’t tell them I’m here. I need to be able to surprise them.”
Fear sliced through Elspeth—not just for her, but for him. For Aunt Leah. For everyone at the inn. She ran to the window. “You think it’s the men who attacked Dougal Kerr?”
“I do. There’s a knife in my boot. Close this behind me.” He stared at her intently, a determined fire burning in his gaze. “Don’t be afraid.” And then he was gone through the window.
She wanted to watch what he did, but the sound of men outside her door made her close the window. Before she could find some clothing to throw on or grab Tavish’s knife, the door flew open, crashing against the wall.
A man came over the threshold. He was tall with dark, clubbed hair, though lank strands hung against the sides of his thin face. “Look here, I’ve found myself a right Scottish lass, haven’t I?” He spoke in an English accent—southwestern, if Elspeth had to guess.
The door adjoining her room with Aunt Leah’s opened. Another man steered Aunt Leah into Elspeth’s room. Aunt Leah, sobbing, ran to embrace her.
Elspeth held her tightly. “It’s going to be all right,” she whispered.
“Let’s get downstairs,” the other man, who was shorter, with a scar across his cheek and nose and also an Englishman, said.
“Surely you can let me dress,” Elspeth demanded.
The thin-faced man came toward her, his gaze menacing. “Move!” He narrowed his eyes. “Is the window open?” He checked the sash, then touched the curtain. “The fabric is cool.” He looked around at Elspeth’s clothing strewn about. “Was there someone in here with you?”
“No.” Elspeth lifted her chin and prayed he believed her.
He squeezed her arm, his strong fingers digging mercilessly into her flesh. “Don’t lie to me. Who was here?”
“No one.”
He pulled her from Aunt Leah’s arms and brought her face close to his so that she could smell his stale, whisky-laden breath. “I’m not supposed to touch you, but I will.” He let his gaze drift over her barely clad body.
Elspeth twitched with revulsion.
“Stop it, Marley,” the other man said.
Aunt Leah grabbed Elspeth’s hand and pulled her away from Marley.
“Downstairs, then,” the scar-faced man said.
“You let me put on a banyan,” Aunt Leah said. “Let my niece do the same.”
Marley took a pistol from his waistband and waved it at them. “Go!”
Elspeth put her arm around Aunt Leah and started toward the door. “It will be all right.” She was at least grateful she was still wearing her stockings so that her feet weren’t bare.
When they arrived in the common room, their situation became