he wouldn’t hesitate to take a woman up on an offer of a carnal adventure, but Aliah was different—and he wasn’t the type of man who took a woman’s innocence. That was saved for her husband. Something Blane was not, and would never be. If only Aliah were a widow…
He shook his head, and grunted. This line of thinking would lead him nowhere and only provoked his need for the woman in question and his frustration at the fact that it could never happen.
Marriage wasn’t in his future, no matter what his older brother Magnus said. Taking a bride was the last thing Blane wanted. He didn’t want to be tied to any one woman, he loved all women… Exc ept the thought of waking up to Aliah each morning did hold a certain appeal.
Satan’s ball o cks, where had that thought come from?
He had to concentrate on something else besides the warmth of her body pressed up against him, two particularly plush globes warming his back…
Wool. He would think about wool. They’d had a great run prior to his leaving to fetch the lass. Enough coin to pay for part of the castle’s renovations and supplies for the clan. Even enough to upgrade their weapons and armor, with still more left for Sutherland coffers. Sutherland wool was unmatched.
When he returned to Dunrobin, he’d have to begin planning for their next trip, which might have to wait until spring depending on the weather. There were rumors of King Edward of England bringing his troops to Scotland in the spring—to retaliate against the Scots victory at Stirling. If that were true, Blane and his men would have an even tougher journey.
While on his travels, he’d passed through a town that held a monthly market. They garnered a lot of merchants and buyers which in turn increased other town profits. ’Twas an idea that held merit and one he’d have to speak with Magnus about. Their wool was in such high demand that they might be able to host their own wool market. During the winter months they could sell raw wool, yarn, and woven goods.
They kept off the main road, picking their way through the trees. Blane was careful not to let his horse trip on any fallen branches. They crept silently using only hand signals to communicate. Behind him, he could feel Aliah’s body sag more with each passing hour. He held tight to her arms wrapped around his middle in case she fell asleep, fearing that she’d collapse.
Dawn approached and with it came the sounds of birds and insects chirping and buzzing their pleasure at another morning’s arrival. Blane decided that it would be best to find shelter now, get a few hours of sleep and then continue on their way when the sun set that evening.
He’d found that traveling at night and sleeping during the day was the safest course of action to take. They’d already been followed by a band of outlaws, there was no telling what else would happen, and he wanted to arrive at Dunrobin unscathed and with all of his men—and Aliah—unharmed.
Ahead he spied what looked like the mouth of a cave set against a wall of solid stone. Moss and brush grew over the stones, and trees blocked his vision from discerning if it was indeed a place they could seek shelter.
“Go and see if that is a cave,” he told two of his men. At the sound of his voice, Aliah jerked behind him.
She must have dozed off and he’d woken her. His men trotted up to the cave and turned back, signaling. They continued toward the cave as his men checked the surrounding area and the inside for the cave for danger.
Liam, his second in command, nodded that all was well within the cave, and the men who’d ridden around the area soon returned with news that it was all clear.
They dismounted from their horses, and while his men took care of their mounts, he led Aliah into the mouth of the cave. ’Twas dark inside, but warmer since they were now protected from the biting wind.
“Wait here while I make a torch.” Blane met Aliah’s gaze. Her eyes were red-rimmed from
He shook his head, and grunted. This line of thinking would lead him nowhere and only provoked his need for the woman in question and his frustration at the fact that it could never happen.
Marriage wasn’t in his future, no matter what his older brother Magnus said. Taking a bride was the last thing Blane wanted. He didn’t want to be tied to any one woman, he loved all women… Exc ept the thought of waking up to Aliah each morning did hold a certain appeal.
Satan’s ball o cks, where had that thought come from?
He had to concentrate on something else besides the warmth of her body pressed up against him, two particularly plush globes warming his back…
Wool. He would think about wool. They’d had a great run prior to his leaving to fetch the lass. Enough coin to pay for part of the castle’s renovations and supplies for the clan. Even enough to upgrade their weapons and armor, with still more left for Sutherland coffers. Sutherland wool was unmatched.
When he returned to Dunrobin, he’d have to begin planning for their next trip, which might have to wait until spring depending on the weather. There were rumors of King Edward of England bringing his troops to Scotland in the spring—to retaliate against the Scots victory at Stirling. If that were true, Blane and his men would have an even tougher journey.
While on his travels, he’d passed through a town that held a monthly market. They garnered a lot of merchants and buyers which in turn increased other town profits. ’Twas an idea that held merit and one he’d have to speak with Magnus about. Their wool was in such high demand that they might be able to host their own wool market. During the winter months they could sell raw wool, yarn, and woven goods.
They kept off the main road, picking their way through the trees. Blane was careful not to let his horse trip on any fallen branches. They crept silently using only hand signals to communicate. Behind him, he could feel Aliah’s body sag more with each passing hour. He held tight to her arms wrapped around his middle in case she fell asleep, fearing that she’d collapse.
Dawn approached and with it came the sounds of birds and insects chirping and buzzing their pleasure at another morning’s arrival. Blane decided that it would be best to find shelter now, get a few hours of sleep and then continue on their way when the sun set that evening.
He’d found that traveling at night and sleeping during the day was the safest course of action to take. They’d already been followed by a band of outlaws, there was no telling what else would happen, and he wanted to arrive at Dunrobin unscathed and with all of his men—and Aliah—unharmed.
Ahead he spied what looked like the mouth of a cave set against a wall of solid stone. Moss and brush grew over the stones, and trees blocked his vision from discerning if it was indeed a place they could seek shelter.
“Go and see if that is a cave,” he told two of his men. At the sound of his voice, Aliah jerked behind him.
She must have dozed off and he’d woken her. His men trotted up to the cave and turned back, signaling. They continued toward the cave as his men checked the surrounding area and the inside for the cave for danger.
Liam, his second in command, nodded that all was well within the cave, and the men who’d ridden around the area soon returned with news that it was all clear.
They dismounted from their horses, and while his men took care of their mounts, he led Aliah into the mouth of the cave. ’Twas dark inside, but warmer since they were now protected from the biting wind.
“Wait here while I make a torch.” Blane met Aliah’s gaze. Her eyes were red-rimmed from
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