Page 28 of The Chief

“I spoke to my mother this afternoon,” he continued. “We spoke of you.”

When their eyes met, all of her good intentions fled as quickly as Rory had ridden off to England to aid his brother last spring. She hated herself for such a weakness. But she needed one more kiss, just one more. Was it so wrong to ask?

“I wish for you to kiss me again.”

With that, she was hauled up against him, her wish granted. Rory’s mouth slammed onto hers, his tongue swirling in a desperate tangle with her own. She couldn’t breathe, didn’t want to. Cristane just wanted to feel, her arms wrapping around his shoulders as Rory’s hand covered her breasts. He squeezed, moaning.

Or was that sound her own?

The door opened so suddenly that it took Cristane a moment to realize they’d been interrupted. And not by just anyone.

“Pardon, brother. Had I known you were not alone . . .”

Cristane jumped back, staring in mortification at Rory’s twin.

“He knew you were not alone,” the steward said from behind Terric.

“You said he was with Cristane. I thought . . .” Terric stopped, his gaze darting between her and Rory. “Apologies. I did not realize.”

“What are you doing here?” Rory asked. Before Terric answered, he moved forward and the brothers embraced. “Is Roysa with you?”

“She stayed at Dromsley, but word of McKinnon reached us. I’ve been away too long.”

“I sent a messenger,” Rory started.

“He is with me. We met on the road.”

Terric looked at her once again, his eyes full of speculation. She wished to sink into the ground.

“I wonder at your intentions here, brother.” And then to her, “Roysa has been in contact with Cait, who very much misses you. Will you come back when I leave for Dromsley once again? ’Twill be closer to Licheford, and when the weather does improve a bit—”

“Aye,” she said, without hesitation. This night proved what she had already known in her heart. Remaining here, now that Rory knew . . .

She’d been strong enough to survive her mother’s death, but she doubted she could live here, at Bradon Moor, without becoming Rory’s mistress. And that was one thing she could not allow herself to do. No matter how much she loved him.

She looked at Rory, who had been beaming with happiness at seeing his brother. That happiness had sloughed off like a snake’s discarded skin, and he was peering at her through narrowed eyes. Almost as if they really were master and servant.

“I will be pleased if you will escort me south,” she continued. “I very much miss serving your sister as well.”

Bowing, she turned away from Rory, unable to withstand his scrutiny any longer.

“We’re pleased to have you home, Chief,” she said to Terric, “if only for a short while.”

Terric smiled. “I am pleased to be home. But my stay will be short.” He turned to Rory. “Roysa is with child.”

She chanced a quick glance at Rory. Did he know what this could mean for him? She wanted to encourage him, to bolster him, for this talk with his brother, but it wouldn’t be proper to stay any longer. And tears were already pressing for release.

“Then congratulations are in order, brother.” Rory slapped Terric on the back, a cue for her to leave.

“My congratulations as well,” she murmured, scurrying through the door and picking up her skirts. Once she reached the passageway, she started running, heart hammering the whole way. Cristane did not stop until she reached her bedchamber, bursting into sobs the moment she entered it.

Soon she would be leaving Bradon Moor forever. Lady Cait awaited her, and Cristane was more than ready to leave. It was everything she’d ever wanted.

Save the one thing she hadn’t dared to dream about.