Page 100 of The Knight’s Reward

“I know you better than you think, my lady.”

His fingers brushed up the side of her neck, ran along her cheek, and then his thumb touched her lower lip.

“I know you are headstrong, aye. And that you will get on with all of the women in my family quite well because of it.”

He tugged on her lip, forcing her mouth open.

“I know you will marry me the moment we return to Kenshire, and as we’ve waited this long, I suppose I can wait to make you my wife in truth on our wedding night.”

Kathryn shivered as his thumb continued its exploration.

“I know that when we do make love for the first time, it will be glorious.”

Somehow, she knew to touch her tongue to his thumb, and when she did, Neill’s eyes hooded ever so slightly. A fluttering raced from her stomach to her very core as she imagined them coming together in that way.

“I know, Lady Kathryn, that I love you now as surely as I did the day you sat in the solar at Brockburg, defiant and full of ideas. Ready to take on the second most powerful man in Scotland, alone if need be.”

When he groaned, Kathryn was lost.

“And I love you, Neill Waryn. If we are to have that wedding night you speak of,” she said as his hand dropped, “perhaps we should be on our way with all haste.”

“Perhaps you are right.”

Kathryn murmured “always” and caught his smile just before he turned to leave.

Chapter 33

It had been the worst torture Neill had ever experienced.

On their return journey, he’d been alone with Kathryn on only a few occasions, and the moment he’d attempted to seduce his betrothed, her chaperone, who they had retrieved from the inn, reminded them they were not yet married.

The only reason he’d acquiesced had been to please Kathryn.

She had taken him at his word—they were to wait until their wedding night to become husband and wife in truth. He had meant the words when he’d said them, but he dearly wished he could take them back. For even though they’d finally made it through the gates of Kenshire Castle, the banns would still have to be posted, arrangements made . . . Besides which, he would need to take care of the matter of his reward.

He would take back the foul words if he could.

Looking at her now as she ran to Sara and the babe in her arms, Neill groaned.

“For a man who returns victorious, once again, your mood is foul, brother.”

Geoffrey clasped him on the back and nodded up toward the wall-walk. He caught Kathryn’s eyes and told her silently where he was going. Then he followed his brother up the stone stairs and to the far end of the wall, where the view opened to the sea below. Neill tilted his head back, enjoying the final moments of sunshine for the day.

“From the pleased look on your face, I can assume London treated you kindly?”

“London? You mean the king?”

“Aye, he as well.”

“Kindly? I suppose so.”

He smiled, knowing his brother well. Geoffrey waited patiently for him to recall the events at court, because patience was what his brother did best. Neill would do well to learn some forbearance from him, even if they had disagreed about Kathryn.

Neill reached into the pouch hanging at his side and pulled out the missive. The king’s seal stared back at them as Geoffrey took the rolled parchment from him.

“What is it?”

“An order for the lord warden.”