He followed her gestures more easily than he had expected. “You would like to see the drawings again and hear what William has to say?” Her nod had him continuing. “Since I intend to keep you by my side while we are away from the keep, I would say that is a distinct possibility.”
They arrived at the location a short time later and Cree dismounted. Then he reached up, took hold of her waist and slipped her off the horse. He did not release her right away and Dawn could have sworn he was going to kiss her. And she was disappointed when he didn’t but then here and now in front of his men was not the time or place for such intimacy. The sensible thought did nothing to quell her desire. Her lips ached, her stomach fluttered and that damn tingle rushed to tease between her legs.
If she was not already speechless, she would have been struck so when he took her hand in his and tugged for her to follow beside him. His hand was warm, his grip strong and a tad possessive, as if he intended to never let her go. And foolish as the thought was, it brought a smile to her face and lightened her heart.
Dawn noticed that his men fanned out, without any instructions from Cree, and formed a perimeter around the area. William rushed up to meet Cree, rolled parchments flapping under his arm.
“My lord,” he said with a brief bow. “Once we discuss further options today I will be able to complete my list and if I have your permission, I would like to take my leave before winter sets in so that I may locate the necessary craftsmen and purchase the necessary material for work to begin in the spring.”
“If all proves acceptable you may leave before the first snow falls,” Cree agreed.
With her hand still firmly in Cree’s she walked along with the two men as they talked, but her interest soon drifted to the view as they followed up the rise. And once they reached the top of the bluff her eyes turned wide. The view was breath-catching. You could see Ben Loyal in the distance and beneath the bluff flowed the Kyle of Tongue. With water so close any village built here would prosper.
“The river will make it easy to bring the materials and furnishings by boat and is perfect for the trade you have in mind. I have drawings for the port you spoke about,” William said rifling through his drawings.
Trade? Port? Cree certainly had plans. What other plans did he have? A wife? Children to pass all of this onto?
Dawn needed distance from what she was hearing and what it would mean to her and tried to slip free of Cree’s grasp. He looked with questioning eyes at her and she pointed to an area of large stones and he nodded his consent, though he released her hand with some reluctance.
There was a slight breeze on the bluff and though the sun was strong today there was a chill in the air. She wrapped her dark green wool cloak around her and was glad for the dark blue wool skirt and white linen blouse she had donned this morning. She had forgone the wool leggings not liking the feel of them, much preferring her legs bare beneath her garments. It afforded her the opportunity to remove her boots and let her feet enjoy the feel of the grass or the rich soil when ripe for planting.
But she had no thought to remove her boots when she sat on the flat stones. Her thoughts had lingered as to who would be by Cree’s side when the castle was finished, the village built, the port flourishing. And why did she let the thought disturb her? He would never wed her. She could bring nothing to a marriage. And why would she even think of such a foolish thought.
She, like the other villagers, served Cree. Each and every one of them did as he dictated and that would always be the way of it. Feeling maudlin she found a rock with a pointed edge and began to draw in the dirt.
Cree watched her as he listened and spoke with William. Something had changed within Dawn when they had reached the top of the bluff. Her enthusiasm for the castle drawings had waned and she seemed upset, though he could not fathom why.
William had more sketching he wished to do while here and Cree had hoped to walk with Dawn to a small secluded area where they could enjoy a moment of intimate privacy. Very intimate privacy. Deep, penetrating intimate privacy. He grew hard thinking about it.
Cree asked William more questions and made some suggestions to the port drawing. It was essential that the port be built. He had plans, big plans and the King had agreed with him. And the King knew that he would see the plans done. Another reason he had awarded him this land and arranged a marriage. One he had no choice but to enter into.
He rarely heard the thud of his heart so when he did, he found it odd. It was almost as if something was awakening in him and he wasn’t happy about it. He did what he had to do and he did it well and did so because he did not allow himself to care.