There is nae sign of infection. He will need ta rest for several fortnights though. There will be nae rides or anything strenuous till he is healed.”
Lucian reached out and stroked his forehead. Arianna’s eyes widened in surprise as Shalizar accepted his touch without flinching.
“He let’s you touch him?”
“Aye. Why are ye so shocked?”
“He was beaten severely by a man who was trying to break him right before I bought him. He has always hated men with a passion since then.”
“Mayhap he has figured out that nae all men are so cruel.”
“Maybe.” she conceded. But not bloody likely!
“If ye will wait here a moment, I will fetch him some water , lass. It appears that his bucket has gone dry.”
“Thank you, my lord. I’m sure he would like that.”
“Tis nae mystery why yer horse has taken a shine ta the laird, m’lady.”
Startled, she jumped, then glanced at the next stall over. “Who’s there?”
Ian stepped out of the shadows, curry brush in hand.
“Sorry, m’lady. I did nae mean ta frighten ye.”
“Don’t worry about it, Ian. I’m just a bit jumpy these days. What did you mean...about it being no mystery?”
He gave her a lopsided grin as he replied, “Me laird tended ta his wound himself, he did. When he was nae seeing ta ye , he was here, coaxing yer beast ta live...ta nae give up the fight. Horses need that, ye ken. He took yer place since ye was nae able ta be here yourself. Shalizar trusts him now.”
Arianna was stunned. She could not fathom her gruff husband tending an animal so lovingly.
“Thank you for telling me, Ian. I must be certain to thank him.”
“Nay m’lady. He would nae like it being pointed out. Tis nae his way.”
“Very well...but I will find a way to thank him, just the same.”
He gave a quick bow and darted away as he saw his laird returning.
After replacing the bucket in Shalizar’s stall, Lucian turned to his wife. He stroked her bruised cheek as he gazed into her eyes. Ever so slowly, he bent closer to her until their lips met. She wrapped her arms about his neck, pulling him nearer. He moaned with desire, cradling her head in his hand, as he deepened the kiss. Her breath hitched as passion flooded her.
He pulled back a space, studying the tender look she was gracing him with. There are feelings in her eyes. I can see it. We are truly forging a tight bond together...for I have felt the same. He cleared his throat.
“Are ye tired, lass?”
“Not at all,” she replied dreamily.
Lucian grinned. “I did nae ask if ye required sleep, mo cridhe.” He leered at her.
“Oh...Oh!” It had taken her a moment to know what he was asking. “I’ll never be too tired for you, Lucian.” Her sultry voice wound around his heart causing a rush of blood to his shaft. He swept her into his arms and headed back to the keep.
Chapter Nine
A sennight later the blacksmith had sent word to her that her gift was ready. She was giddy with excitement as the maid helped her ready for the evening feast. Her father was leaving in the morn so they had decided to honor him that eve. She was sad that he was returning home but pleased that he would be able to see Lucian’s gift before he went. Fergus was to bring it to the hall wh ile they supped.
All eyes turned to her as she entered the huge chamber a short time later . Silence reigned in admiration of her beauty. She glanced quickly behind her to see what was wrong then realized that she was the cause. Arianna frowned.
Lucian had been speaking with Dugal when the silence alerted him of her presence . His knees quivered for a moment as he spied his stunning wife gliding gracefully toward him.
She wore a forest green gown of velvet that clung to every supple curve. Her hair was pulled atop her head with the excess flowing down her back in a river of fiery loose curls. Across her brow lay a circlet of gold studded with pearls.
Exquisite! I did nae notice before how beautiful m e wife be! He sucked in a
Lucian reached out and stroked his forehead. Arianna’s eyes widened in surprise as Shalizar accepted his touch without flinching.
“He let’s you touch him?”
“Aye. Why are ye so shocked?”
“He was beaten severely by a man who was trying to break him right before I bought him. He has always hated men with a passion since then.”
“Mayhap he has figured out that nae all men are so cruel.”
“Maybe.” she conceded. But not bloody likely!
“If ye will wait here a moment, I will fetch him some water , lass. It appears that his bucket has gone dry.”
“Thank you, my lord. I’m sure he would like that.”
“Tis nae mystery why yer horse has taken a shine ta the laird, m’lady.”
Startled, she jumped, then glanced at the next stall over. “Who’s there?”
Ian stepped out of the shadows, curry brush in hand.
“Sorry, m’lady. I did nae mean ta frighten ye.”
“Don’t worry about it, Ian. I’m just a bit jumpy these days. What did you mean...about it being no mystery?”
He gave her a lopsided grin as he replied, “Me laird tended ta his wound himself, he did. When he was nae seeing ta ye , he was here, coaxing yer beast ta live...ta nae give up the fight. Horses need that, ye ken. He took yer place since ye was nae able ta be here yourself. Shalizar trusts him now.”
Arianna was stunned. She could not fathom her gruff husband tending an animal so lovingly.
“Thank you for telling me, Ian. I must be certain to thank him.”
“Nay m’lady. He would nae like it being pointed out. Tis nae his way.”
“Very well...but I will find a way to thank him, just the same.”
He gave a quick bow and darted away as he saw his laird returning.
After replacing the bucket in Shalizar’s stall, Lucian turned to his wife. He stroked her bruised cheek as he gazed into her eyes. Ever so slowly, he bent closer to her until their lips met. She wrapped her arms about his neck, pulling him nearer. He moaned with desire, cradling her head in his hand, as he deepened the kiss. Her breath hitched as passion flooded her.
He pulled back a space, studying the tender look she was gracing him with. There are feelings in her eyes. I can see it. We are truly forging a tight bond together...for I have felt the same. He cleared his throat.
“Are ye tired, lass?”
“Not at all,” she replied dreamily.
Lucian grinned. “I did nae ask if ye required sleep, mo cridhe.” He leered at her.
“Oh...Oh!” It had taken her a moment to know what he was asking. “I’ll never be too tired for you, Lucian.” Her sultry voice wound around his heart causing a rush of blood to his shaft. He swept her into his arms and headed back to the keep.
Chapter Nine
A sennight later the blacksmith had sent word to her that her gift was ready. She was giddy with excitement as the maid helped her ready for the evening feast. Her father was leaving in the morn so they had decided to honor him that eve. She was sad that he was returning home but pleased that he would be able to see Lucian’s gift before he went. Fergus was to bring it to the hall wh ile they supped.
All eyes turned to her as she entered the huge chamber a short time later . Silence reigned in admiration of her beauty. She glanced quickly behind her to see what was wrong then realized that she was the cause. Arianna frowned.
Lucian had been speaking with Dugal when the silence alerted him of her presence . His knees quivered for a moment as he spied his stunning wife gliding gracefully toward him.
She wore a forest green gown of velvet that clung to every supple curve. Her hair was pulled atop her head with the excess flowing down her back in a river of fiery loose curls. Across her brow lay a circlet of gold studded with pearls.
Exquisite! I did nae notice before how beautiful m e wife be! He sucked in a
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