and the sound it made in the treetops.
Overhead the thunder cracked again, this time closer. The wind whipped up, bringing with it the first hint of rain. Not actual droplets, but she could feel it on her face and smell it. Her mare danced nervously, tossing her head.
“There, girl. It’s only a bit of rain.”
Helena reached down to pat the horse on her neck. The mare quieted for only a moment before her nostrils flared, and she danced in a circle. An answering snort sent the mare backing away from the stallion her husband rode. Steady and silent, he’d emerged from the woods behind her.
“Ye dinnae believe that….”
Her husband was annoyed. His horse felt it and refused to remain still. The stallion pranced in a circle around her mare.
“Believe what?”
“That Scots are uncivilized.”
Thunder boomed across the sky and her mare reared. Keir leaped from his saddle and caught the bridle with a large hand. The mare was not pleased; she snorted and dug at the ground. Rain began to fall in fat drops that pelted the tree limbs above their heads, filling the air with the sound of water hitting leaves. Helena dismounted as the first bolt of lightning seared across the sky. It was not safe to remain in the saddle during a storm—even the most well-behaved mounts might throw you under such conditions. Everyone would be seeking shelter until the thunder quieted. A quick look around showed Helena that no one from the hunting party was nearby. She and Keir were very much alone. Keir pulled her mare toward the thick trunk of the tree and tied her there. He led his own horse there as well, and knotted the leather reins with solid motions.
“Tell me the truth, Helena. I dinnae want to think ye fear going home with me. Red Stone is a wondrous place.”
And he was proud of it. She heard it in his voice, in spite of the rain falling all around them.
“Well, I suppose I will be content to discover you are not uncivilized.” She sighed, unable to resist the urge to tease him. His eyes narrowed.
“Are ye teasing me, Helena?”
“Possibly. You did appear to encourage such this morning.”
His lips twitched and then rose into a grin that flashed his teeth at her.
“Unless you are going to prove Lady Fitzgerald incorrect and tell me to conduct myself with dignity, because you are not uncivilized, not even a bit. I suppose I shall have to endure if that is the case.”
“Oh, I’m pure Scot, have nae doubt about it, lassie.”
Heat filled his dark eyes. She was drawn to it, mesmerized by the flicker of hunger. Thunder cracked overhead and the storm raged. The elements heightened her senses, the smell of rain making her more aware of how Keir smelled pressed against her with nothing between them save passion. She licked her lower lip and his gaze instantly settled on the tip of her tongue. Excitement tightened in her belly. She repeated the motion, licking over the surface of her lower lip slowly this time. The skin was ultrasensitive, and little ripples of delight went down her spine from that simple touch.
“You cannot think that I believe everything I hear at court. Even if you are my husband. I simply must reserve judgment until I experience things firsthand.”
It was bold. But empowering, too. She felt her confidence rise just by watching the effect of her words on his face. His skin darkened and his lips pressed into a hard line.
“Is that a fact?”
“It is best, don’t you think?” She couldn’t remain still. Too much sensation was building inside her. She could have sworn that she felt the energy in the storm through her skin. Her heart accelerated and her breathing grew more labored. “You wouldn’t want me to believe what courtiers say, would you?”
He laughed. It was deep and husky and very male. “Of course not, lass. That would never do. Ye should experience things firsthand.”
He tugged on the fingertip of one of his leather gauntlets, working his way across each fingertip until he slid the leather glove off. He placed it on his saddle and removed the matching one. The bare skin of his fingers sent a chill down her back. Even with the rain, she grew warm enough for sweat to dot her forehead.
She recalled in vivid detail what those bare fingertips felt like on her body. Behind her stays her nipples were hard and needy. He flexed his hands and her mouth went