“You will tell me if you grow tired.”
“Is the village that far inland?”
“No, but your cheeks have yet to regain their color.”
“Do not worry,” she said. “I have land beneath me now.” With that, she picked up her pace and Rogan followed.
The village was not far, no more than a twenty-minute walk once they entered the woods. The woods had reclaimed remnants of a path over time. The men cut away brush and branches and any debris that would hamper the people, carts, and animals that would make their way to their new home.
Decay had claimed several of the cottages and part of the keep, but it was the lush meadow on the outskirts of the village and the fields that meandered around the cottages and the bright green hill the keep sat upon that stole the breath.
It looked as if the fairies had laid claim to it and blessed it with beauty and grace. Even on this cloudy day, the place looked as if it radiated welcome and Rogan knew, felt, that he had finally come home.
“Get the clansmen moving,” he ordered. “I want everyone sheltered and provided with food before the storm hits.” He looked to Aliss. “We need to see to the condition of the keep. Most will probably rest there tonight.”
To their surprise, the keep had decayed little. The massive wooden door needed its hinges repaired and the rooms required intense cleaning. The furniture needed repairs and the kitchen required at least several days’ worth of heavy work.
Aliss shivered. “I think we should get fires started.”
Rogan went to her and touched her blouse. “You need to shed these damp garments.” He took her hand. “Come let us find a suitable bedchamber. I will get a fire going in the hearth and you can change into dry clothes.”
They found an impressive one that connected with a smaller one. It held a large bed and four thick, tall posts anchored each corner. The headboard’s design had been scorched into the wood in an intricate pattern. The mattress needed stuffing and was devoid of bed linens, and a lone chair, its arm broken, sat next to the cold fireplace.
“Stand over by the bed,” Rogan ordered, and after Aliss moved away, he picked the chair up and smashed it to pieces against the floor. He then used the splintered wood to start a fire in the hearth.
He turned as Aliss slipped out of her skirt, having already discarded her blouse. Her body shivered as she attempted to slip on dry clothes. Rogan hurried to her side and helped her dress, then he took her over by the fire and, standing behind her, he vigorously rubbed her arms and shoulders with his hands to warm her.
He tried not to think of her as she had stood there naked in nothing but her sandals, but the vision refused to leave his mind. Her nipples had puckered from the dampness and her breasts sat round and firm.
Damn, but he wanted to suckle the rosy buds and run his hands over the gooseflesh that had popped out all over her. And where she kept her legs tight together, he would tease with his fingers, or better, with his lips. Then he would—
Rogan silently cursed himself.
How the hell he would make it through six months without making love to her, he did not know. What other choice did he have? He had given his word.
That did not mean he couldn’t tempt her every chance he got. Was that fair to her?
Anything was fair if he did not want to lose her.
He hugged her back against him and rubbed her midriff, his fingertips brushing beneath her breasts. “Warm enough?”
She eased away from him. “Much better, thank you. We better see to lighting other fires and I will start with cleaning up the great hall so that there will be a place to eat and sleep for everyone.”
He nodded and kept his smile at bay. “Good idea.”
His smile broke free after she rushed from the room. His touch had affected her, as he knew it would. He would be patient and seduce his wife slowly while making certain she knew he loved her with all his heart.
The rain began just as the last cart was rolled into the village. The women had joined with Aliss in cleaning the hall, scrubbing the tables and floor and cleaning the hearth before a new fire was lit.
Two cauldrons were hung from hooks over the flames and soon the scent of rabbit stew permeated the air. Chatter and laughter resonated in the room along with the squeals of playing children.
Aliss took a moment to watch the joyous scene from the shadowed corner. These people of varied origins had worked their way into her heart in a very short time. They were family to her and she was proud to be part of them.
“Hiding?”
Aliss jumped, startled by her husband’s silent approach and his arms slipping around her waist. “Admiring,” she said, and stepped to the side out of his embrace. “Don’t you agree?”