pull him even closer. She wasn’t near enough, couldn’t seem to hold him tightly enough to drive the chill out of her heart.
“Good God, ye’re freezing and soaked to the bone.”
“But I’m with you. That’s all that matters. We’ve time aplenty for my dress to dry.” Her feet touched the floor but she kept her hands on his shoulders. Her husband frowned and picked her up once more, depositing her in front of the fireplace. She trembled when the heat touched her chilled skin. She hadn’t noticed the chill, hadn’t allowed herself to be concerned with such things as her own comfort. What was a bit of rain compared to the possibility that the Privy Council might well be urging the king to sign an execution order even as she had her reunion? Keir tossed a log onto the coals. It began to snap and pop almost instantly.
“How did ye give Farrell the slip?”
“You assume he did not agree with my choice to join you.”
He unlatched her soaked cloak and hung it on the wall. Keir slid his arms around her without a care for how wet she was, placing his body against her back to warm her.
“I know my man. He’s going to blister me ears when I see him again, isn’t he?”
“Perhaps. Yet he did tell me I was clever.”
He muttered something in Gaelic. “More like irritating, madam. I told ye to stay with me men.”
She turned, pushing at him and frowning when she had to glare at him and wait for him to decide to release her. The hands she had planted flat on his chest were no real inducement when pitted against his strength.
“And I believe your men are far more needed to find Raelin. Since I am with you, they may begin to search for the witness that will clear your name. You see? Very logical.”
He growled but his face told her that he agreed with her. Reaching up, she smoothed one of the creases from the side of his face.
“Don’t be angry with me, Keir. I couldn’t stand being away from you. It hurt too badly.”
He captured her hand and held it against his lips. He turned it over and drew a deep breath, inhaling the scent of her skin. Heat flickered to life, a tender passion that sent tears into her eyes.
“Aye, lass. I understand what ye mean.”
His eyes opened and she gasped. So much need shimmered in their dark centers. It cut deep into her heart, laying her emotions open to his keen gaze. She loved her parents because they were her parents, but she loved him because she could not resist. The tears spilled over onto her cheeks.
“I cannae stand the sight of yer tears.” He caught them with his thumbs, easing them across her cheeks.
“I only cry for you, Keir.”
He stiffened. “Ye cried the night afore our wedding and the slash of that still pains me. Tell me why.” His voice was raspy with need. The hands cradling her head suddenly held her more firmly. “Tell me.”
“I was half in love with you and I didn’t want to see reality shatter it.”
Surprise flashed through his eyes. “You mean to say that you believe all this nonsense about love nae belonging in a marriage?”
“Well, you told me that you didn’t think that you would ever fall in love when your mistress was leaving you.”
She tried to shake off his hand but he held her head firmly. A grin offered her a flash of his teeth.
“I keep telling ye, Helena. I am a Scot and we do things a wee bit differently.”
She scoffed at him. “You cannot say that you expected love from your marriage. Admit that you are as surprised as I.”
“Right after ye tell me ye love me.”
Determination flickered in his eyes. Hunger and need was there as well, making her heart ache. He was so powerful, so full of strength that her love seemed a pitiful thing to offer to such a man.
But it was the only thing that was truly hers to give. It was unique because she knew that he was the only man she would ever say such words to. That gave her words luster. She felt it shinning in her eyes.
“I love you, Keir McQuade, and I don’t care how angry you are about my joining you here. I would wither away without you.”
She reached up and pulled one of his wrists toward her lips. Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep breath, exactly