“The very question that haunts me.”
“You have time. Do not rush it, make sure it is what you want,” he said.
“What would you want, Raynor? An arranged marriage or one conceived in love?”
“I have a duty to my clan.”
“Then you would wed a stranger if it was beneficial to your clan?”
“Not through lies or subterfuge.”
“If it were the only way?” Her question had him pausing as well as herself. Had Rogan approached his dilemma in the only way possible?
“I see your point, though I grieve to admit it. You are my sister and I want what is best—” He shook his head. “I want you happy.”
“And if Rogan should prove to make me happy?”
He threw his hands up in surrender. “What choice would I have?”
“You did learn to get along with Tarr because of Fiona and me,” she reminded him.
“It was either that or lose the sisters I had just found.”
“So you compromised.”
“No, I think I just looked at the situation and saw what I would be losing if I chose to be stubborn instead of sensible.”
“Are you finally admitting that stubbornness is a family trait?”
“Shhh,” he said with a finger to his grinning lips and a quick scan of the area. “It’s a secret.”
Aliss laughed and took hold of his hand. “I am glad you came to visit.”
Raynor squeezed her hand. “I am here for you, Aliss, no matter what your choice is.”
Chapter 29
Rogan sniffed the handful of dark soil spilling through his fingers. Crops would grow plentiful in this ground and would provide more than enough sustenance for his clan. The woods teemed with game and the sea provided an abundance of fish. The clan would flourish here.
He let the rich soil drain through his fingers as he caught sight of Aliss strolling through the village.
Time was fast running away from him. Raynor had been here a week already, and the clan had been on the isle over a month. Rogan had remained true to his plan, but his efforts weren’t enough. Aliss looked for solid proof that his love was real and he wasn’t certain how else he could prove it to her.
She was a stubborn one, but he was just as obstinate.
Theirs was a perfect match, if only she would admit it.
She waved to him, the other hand shading her eyes from the bright sun.
He waved for her to join him, suddenly feeling the need to have her by his side, to hold her hand, to kiss her softly and slowly until he was drunk with the taste of her.
She hesitated at first, so he marched through the field demonstrating his willingness to meet her. She responded in kind and made her way toward him.
Her beauty never failed to capture his breath and play havoc with his senses. Her red hair sparkled like a brilliant flame and highlighted her gentle features. And he liked the way her garments fit her curves so nicely, now that Fiona had brought clothes for her.
She also seemed to be forever in motion, going here, going there, tending this one, aiding that one, forever on the move until, exhausted, she dropped into his arms and slept. He liked when she did that, then he could hold her close and know she was safe.
He smiled as she scooped up a handful of dark soil and brought it to him.
“Fertile soil.”
He took a small amount and rubbed it between his fingers. “It will produce an abundant crop next year.”
She dusted the soil from her hands and stared at him a moment before she suddenly caught herself and looked away.
“Would you like to take a walk?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Exploring the woods.”
She sighed. “I’ve been wanting to do that, but I haven’t found time with all the work that needs doing.”
“Exploring the woods is today’s work,” he decreed.
She smiled and began edging toward the woods. “I cannot deny an order from my chieftain.”
Rogan signaled his intention to Derek on the far side of the field and Derek waved them off with an encouraging smile. From day one on the isle, the clan had persisted in doing everything they could to keep Aliss and him together. Their help was certainly welcome and not at all intrusive, though thus far it had not proved beneficial.
They entered the dense woods, Rogan tempering the pace, though Aliss seemed not to mind. He wanted time alone with her, just the two of them, to talk, to listen, to share the silence, together.
The deeper they went in the woods the thicker the growth of trees and foliage, producing a cool haven from the summer heat. Rogan cleared a path for them as best he could, especially with Aliss warning him not to damage any plants.
“Fern,” she said with excitement and ducked under Rogan’s arm as he prepared to hold back an intruding branch so that she could pass.