Jenny smiled and tossed herself into her mother’s arms. “I love ye, Mama. And I know I must stink to the very depths of the netherworld, so thank ye for being so kind.”
“There is no other way for a mother to be, sweet lass.” Lady Mackintosh stroked her hair.
“I’m fine. Ye’ve done enough. Go and rest yourself.”
“Are ye sure?” Reluctance filled her mother’s features.
“Aye. I’m home and safe, and I can see from the circles under your eyes that ye’re in need of a good rest.”
“I’d stay awake for another month if ye wished it. I’m so glad ye’re all right.”
Jenny cracked a smile. “I’d never ask ye to do that, Mama. I’m just glad to be alive and that we beat Hamish here. I’d never be able to forgive myself if something had happened to ye.”
“Likewise, my love. And Toran?” Her mother’s brows raised in hopeful question.
“He stayed by me, even when I pushed him away.”
A wistful smile crept onto Lady Mackintosh’s lips. “He’s a good man.”
“Aye, Mama, he is.” She bit the inside of her cheek, feeling the scars from where she’d torn her mouth apart during Toran’s beating. “I’m fairly certain I’m in love with him.”
Lady Mackintosh’s mouth fell open in surprise, and she touched Jenny’s cheek before her surprise melted into a smile. “’Tis a wonderful feeling, is it not?”
There was no censure from her mother, no pressure to fall into the duties of a wife and mother. She was allowed to simply bask in the glow of loving and being loved in return.
“Ye’d best get in that tub before all the heat is gone from it.”
Jenny tore off her grimy clothes and sank into the glorious water. She laid her head back against the rim of the tub and closed her eyes, allowing the heat to thaw her bones. With the cloth laid over the side of the tub and a ball of scented soap, she scrubbed away the grime of battle and travel.
After bathing, she dressed and sat before the hearth to brush and dry her hair. The servants took away the tub, leaving her with a jug of wine and a plate of sweet biscuits. She nibbled on the treat and sipped at the wine, feeling warm and safe but still full of worry.
A soft scratch came at the door, and her entire body lurched with anticipation. Was it Toran? Was it a warning that her brother had been spotted? Something worse?
“Come in,” she called anxiously, setting down her wine glass and leaving her biscuit half-eaten on the plate.
He entered the room slowly, scanning the chamber before closing the door and leaning against it.
“Toran,” she said softly. “What’s happened?”
“I wanted to be certain ye were all right.”
Her heart melted a little at his concern. “As well as I can be, given the circumstances.” She indicated the plate of sweet biscuits and wine. “Care for dessert?”
“Thank ye.” He came forward and sat on the chair opposite her, taking a bite of a biscuit. “Dear God, how did we survive on the road without these?”
Jenny laughed. “’Haps we ought to take a barrel next time, aye?”
“Without a doubt.”
She nudged her wine glass toward him, and he sipped, watching her over the rim.
His gaze was full of heated promise, and Jenny found herself rising from her chair to close the few feet of space between them. She’d ached to be in his arms since leaving their haven at Dunipace. Toran set down the glass and pulled her onto his lap, his mouth crashing against hers as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fingers dove into his wild, thick hair, her body pressing against his muscular form. She shifted so that her legs were on either side of his hips, wanting to be closer to him, the apex of her thighs crushed to the part of him that was quickly growing firm with want.
“I canna wait for the war to be over,” she murmured against his mouth. “I need ye. Now.”
“Aye, lass, I want ye.”
His hands on her thighs shifted her night rail up around her hips as she lifted his kilt up and stroked her hand along his turgid length. His firm grip closed over her hand, and together they guided his arousal with eager intent into the wet heat of her. Toran thrust up inside her, filling her, rocking her with the pleasure of his invasion.
“Toran,” she groaned, her head falling back as he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her