“Unless she wanted me to, of course, but there are other ways to keep you in line.”
“Urgh. You’re barbaric.”
They rode in silence for a time. Aedan admitted it was nice having a warm, delectable body snug against his chest. She smelled different from the other women he’d held as close. It was a sweet scent he’d never encountered before. He leaned in and realized it was her hair. Her dark locks had come free of the coiffure the servant had placed it in earlier, allowing her hair to cascade down her back unhindered.
Aedan’s body tightened with need. With every jolt of the horse, her rump rubbed against his groin, causing a pain of the best kind to thrum between his legs. She was a tempting lass, made him yearn to turn the woman around, kiss her senseless, and see if she’d be willing to tup him where they sat.
She wiggled away from him, and he smiled. “Something wrong, lass?”
“Other than the fact you are rubbing up against me inappropriately? No, of course nothing’s wrong.” Sarcasm dripped from her every word.
“I canna help the movements of the horse. If you hadn’t tried to run away I wouldn’t have had to chase ye in the first place.”
She turned and her defiant brown orbs met his. “I wasn’t running away. If it hasn’t escaped your notice, your sister is my only means home.” She paused, her breasts rising as she took a deep breath. “I merely went for a walk. How was I supposed to know your country is a death trap?”
“Mayhap you ought to thank me for joining ye before ye’d made the forest, as I may have been too late.”
She paled and looked toward the castle. He dinnae like to scare women, but in this instance, it was necessary. Scotland was in a relatively peaceful period, but the forests often held men, bad men, who wouldn’t blink twice at horrendous actions toward an unsuspecting woman. “Promise me ye won’t go off on your own again and if ye won’t do it for me, do it for yourself. We do plan on getting ye home. Alive.”
She sighed. “I said I would, but if you want my promise, then I promise not to go there again.”
The large tower to the left of the castle, a separate building to the others, placed them in shadow as they rode toward it. They crossed the bridge and Aedan stopped at the castle doors. Gwen stood waiting, the fear etched on his sister’s face dissipating a little when she saw Abigail.
“Abigail. I’m so glad you’re back. I was so worried about ye.”
Aedan helped her down. She brushed down her skirts and walked past his sister without saying a word.
Gwen’s shoulders sagged, and he felt a little sorry for his sibling.
“She really hates me for bringing her here. I don’t know what else I can do to make things up to her.” Tears welled in her eyes.
Aedan jumped off the horse and handed his mount to a waiting stableboy. He hugged her quickly and walked her indoors. “Be patient, Gwen, and take some comfort in the fact she hates me as well.” His sister slapped his arm, and he laughed. “Give her a couple of days on her own. Don’t try and tempt her outdoors or to meals. She’ll soon get sick of her own company. Trust me, lass.”
“Do you think that will work?”
“Aye. I do.” Aedan walked his sister to the anteroom and the warmth of the roaring fire prickled his skin. He held out his hands to the heat. “And if she doesn’t, she’ll soon be gone, anyway. You need to stop fretting over the lass until it’s time to send her home. Instead, concentrate on the games in a sennight. There’s a lot of organization still to be done yet.”
“I’ll do as you ask and throw all my efforts into making the next Highland Games one of the best the country has ever seen, especially since you’ll be announcing your betrothal on the final day.”
Aedan raised his brow in surprise. “If I find the right lass, I shall. Dinna think I’ll marry any wench with a saucy smile.”
His sister laughed, and he smiled. “Oh please, if that’s not the biggest lie you’ve ever told, I don’t know what is.”
“I only said marriage, lass, not sleeping with them.” He heard his sister gasp as he walked from the room. “I’m going upstairs. I need a wash.”
She waved him off, and Aedan looked into the main hall