Читать книгу Forbidden Nights With A Viking - Michelle Willingham, Harper St. George - Страница 12

Styr didn’t move. He knew Caragh wasn’t thinking clearly, that her actions were dictated by the mead. But when she rested her head against his chest, a part of him wanted to hold her. He wanted to feel a woman’s arms around him, to inhale the delicate scent of her skin.

His heartbeat pounded beneath her fingertips, his treacherous body responding to her nearness.

Gently, he extricated her and stepped back. ‘Did you get enough to eat?’

A soft smile transformed her face. ‘For the first time in months. Yes, I did.’ She busied herself with clearing away their wooden dishes. But although Caragh washed and put them away, she did not clean every part of the dwelling or straighten the furnishings. Instead, she sat by the fire, smiling at him. It occurred to him that never had Elena stopped to relax after a meal. She spent her time cleaning, straightening, and scouring their home.

Caragh drew up her knees by the fire, her face golden in the light. All the while, his mind replayed the image of her hands touching him, her face pressed against his heart. The hunger for affection roared through him, and he cursed the instincts he couldn’t control.

It had been so very long since Elena had reached out to him. Time and again, he’d tried to tempt her, even to hold her, only to be pushed away. Her resentment at being childless festered like an open wound, one that wouldn’t heal.

Sometimes, he wished they could start over. That there was a way to be friends again, with no tension between them. The last time that had happened, they had been hardly more than adolescents. Once they’d been betrothed, Elena had grown more serious, putting all her concentration on becoming a good wife. And she’d refused to accept their failure to have children.

When she’d finished putting away the food, Caragh asked, ‘What would you like to do now?’

Her voice held energy, a restlessness that conjured up memories of bare skin, and what it was to touch a willing woman, burying himself deep inside her yielding flesh. He felt himself harden, and he cursed himself for drinking too much mead.

Odin’s blood, but he needed to stay away from this woman. He had no doubt that the goddess Freya had set him upon this path, to test his willpower. But no matter how this woman tempted him, he refused to betray Elena.

‘We should get some sleep before our journey on the morrow,’ Styr told her, tossing another peat brick on the fire. He moved to the furthest side of the room, intending to block her from his mind.

‘I can’t sleep,’ Caragh protested. ‘It’s still so early.’ Without asking his consent, she went to a trunk on the far side of the room and returned with a board. ‘Don’t go to bed so soon,’ she pleaded. ‘We could play a game.’

‘I don’t play.’ He’d gambled before with dice, but it wasn’t a pastime he’d engaged in very often.

Caragh moved towards his pallet, giving him no means of escape. She set the wooden board on the ground between them, and he recognised it as a variant of duodecim scripta, a game he’d known from his homeland. ‘Where did you get that?’

‘My brother won it off a traveller from Burgundy.’

The board consisted of two opposing rows of black triangles with game pieces made of bone. The dice were carved from antlers, and she gave him his pieces, explaining the rules which were similar to those he already knew.

‘You must move the pieces to your home ground and afterwards, you can begin removing them. Whichever of us removes all the pieces first will win.’

He took a sip of his mead, watching as she set out her own pieces. A long lock of dark hair hung over one shoulder, and her cheeks were flushed from the drink. Her blue eyes held merriment and a trace of wickedness as she said, ‘Are you prepared to lose, Lochlan­ nach?’

His sense of competition sharpened, and he took the dice from her, his hands brushing against her warm fingers. ‘And what if you lose?’

‘Then I’ll have to pay a forfeit. Just as you will.’ When she leaned on one arm, the neckline of her gown slipped down one shoulder, revealing bare skin. Styr dropped the dice rapidly, wrenching his gaze away as he moved the first game piece.

‘And what could you possibly offer me?’ His instincts heightened, wondering what she would say.

‘Your weapons and your cloak,’ she offered. ‘They are mine now, since I took you prisoner.’

‘And what would my forfeit be, if by some miracle of the gods, you were to win?’

She smiled. ‘More food for me and my people.’

Her honesty diffused his tension, as he realised that she was respecting the boundaries between them. Earlier, when her hands had touched his chest, she’d looked like a woman waiting to be kissed.

By the gods, if he were unwed, he’d have taken her. He’d have captured her mouth, pulling her slender body to his and exploring those curves with his hands.

Tasting and touching her until she broke forth a throaty moan.

Odin’s blood, but the sexual abstinence was taking command of his senses. When he found Elena again, he intended to coax her back into desiring him. His blood was hot, his needs making it impossible to think clearly.

With effort, he wrenched his mind back into reality. ‘Where do you think your brother took Elena and the others?’

‘Possibly Áth Cliath. Or Dubh Linn,’ she admitted, moving her own piece. ‘He’s been there before with my father, when he was a boy. But even if he did, I’m not certain what he planned to do with his prisoners. He might have released them along the shore.’

Styr didn’t believe it. If his kinsmen had let themselves be taken captive, it was for Elena’s sake. More likely they had killed Brendan and the other Irishmen. He moved his pieces again, taking one of Caragh’s. ‘We’ll sail at dawn to find them. Enough time has been wasted.’

He made his next move, but she captured his piece, taking it for her own. ‘Your wife is unharmed,’ she promised. ‘I believe that.’

Releasing a slow breath, she contemplated her next move, while he rolled the dice. As they played, she kept his goblet full of mead, and he used it to drown out the voices of betrayal in his mind.

Caragh was winning the game, and her smile was triumphant as she moved the piece again. In the golden firelight, her face was haloed, her blue eyes filled with excitement. Her gown mirrored the intense colour, and it made him frown when he made his next move.

‘You said you kept this gown, when you should have sold it. Was there a reason?’

‘I was to be married in it.’ She rolled the dice, considering where to move the next piece.

‘What happened?’

She captured another piece of his and shrugged. ‘I found Kelan sharing another woman’s bed.’ Though she spoke in a calm tone, he caught the note of anger in her voice.

‘You’re well rid of him,’ Styr said. He couldn’t imagine Caragh betrothed to a man like that. It explained Kelan’s jealous behaviour, but he didn’t know why she would have agreed to wed him in the first place.

‘Perhaps.’ She shook her head, her lips drawn in a line as she studied the board.

There was no perhaps about it. Why would Caragh lower herself to a man like that?

She removed one of her pieces from the board. ‘My brothers were angry and wanted to kill Kelan for me. I refused to allow it.’

His estimation of her brothers rose a notch. ‘He hasn’t given up on you, has he?’ He took one of his own pieces off the board.

‘No. He wants my forgiveness, but I can’t bring myself to forget what he did. He said he loves me, and it was a moment of weakness.’

Styr snorted. ‘Loves you?’ He moved another piece across the board and shook his head. ‘You don’t believe that, do you?’

‘Once, I did.’ Her face furrowed, and she slid a game piece to a darker triangle. ‘Don’t you love your wife?’

‘Love has nothing to do with marriage. I owe her my protection, and I intend to find her.’ The idea of love had been beaten out of him as a boy. His parents had trained his brother and him to be a future jarl, as was their duty, but there was no love involved in his upbringing.

Absently, he reached a hand up to his chin, fingering the scar where his father had struck him. He’d learned not to weep or show any sign of emotion. Emotions were for the weakminded, and they never served a man well in battle.

Styr moved another game piece, not wanting to reveal more. The truth was, he did care about Elena. He’d wanted her to be happy in their marriage, although when her barrenness was evident, she’d begun refusing him. She didn’t love him, if she ever had—that was clear enough. But now, it was rare to see her smile.

Divorcing her was possible, but he didn’t want to admit his own failure. And she’d agreed to come here, which meant she wasn’t entirely ready to give up on their marriage. What kind of man would he be if he’d taken her from her homeland, only to leave her?

No, somehow, they would solve the problems between them.

‘Elena has been a good wife to me,’ he admitted. ‘I respect her.’

But Caragh’s expression held confusion, as if she didn’t understand. ‘Was your marriage arranged?’

He nodded. ‘I agreed with my father, that the match was a strong one. Her family approved of it, as well.’ It was only Elena who had seemed intimidated by the marriage. She’d hardly spoken to him after their betrothal.

Now, he wondered if she had objected to it. No one had said anything to him in the past…but had they forced her to wed him? He frowned at the thought.

Caragh removed another piece, leaving only two remaining. ‘It hurt, when Kelan turned to another,’ she continued. ‘I caught him embracing her and—’ she closed her eyes ‘—touching her.’

‘It’s good that you didn’t wed him.’

‘I can’t help but think that I should have done something differently.’ She gave him a rueful smile. ‘I might have a husband and children now, if I had. Maybe if I hadn’t talked so much, or maybe if I tried to be more careful with the way I looked.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with you, Caragh.’

She shook her head, not listening. ‘Then why am I still alone?’ Heartbreak resonated in the words.

Styr rolled the dice again, taking a sip from his mead. It was clear that love did matter to a woman like Caragh. He was tempted to speak words of reassurance. To tell her that those men were fools not to want her. But he kept silent, not wanting her to suspect his own thoughts.

Her blue eyes watched him, as if trying to discern an answer. To avoid it, Styr took his final piece from the board.

‘You win,’ Caragh conceded, drawing her knees up beneath her gown. ‘I suppose I’ll have to return your cloak now.’

‘No, the battleaxe,’ he corrected. ‘Put my cloak over the wall I damaged.’ If they were staying, he might consider repairing it. But it wouldn’t matter, once they were gone.

Caragh yawned and began to put away the pieces. Styr helped her, and when the game was put away, she turned abruptly and nearly stumbled. He caught her, to prevent a fall, but her hands rested upon his forearms a moment too long.

‘Your wife is a fortunate woman,’ she murmured, her gaze upon his. Her violet eyes were studying him in a wistful way that was far too dangerous. The warmth of her hands upon him was more welcome than it should have been. Styr felt the touch sinking into him, like a balm. He shut down the thought immediately.

‘Caragh, don’t. You’ve had too much to drink.’

She nodded, pursing her lips. ‘I have, yes. But, for a moment…you looked as lonely as I feel.’ She closed her eyes a moment, as if gathering courage. ‘And I wondered if everything was all right between you and your wife. You looked sad, for a moment.’

Styr put her hands aside and walked away. ‘What’s between Elena and myself is no concern of yours.’ He didn’t care how hard his words sounded. The reason for their estrangement had everything to do with her inability to conceive a child, nothing more. Once she became pregnant, all would be well again. He believed that.

He didn’t like the direction of his thoughts. The more time he spent around Caragh, the more he found himself wanting to ensure that she was protected, that she had enough to eat. If his thoughts towards her were of a sisterly nature, it wouldn’t bother him so much. But they weren’t. He admitted to himself that he was attracted to her, much as he hated himself for it.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said quietly. ‘You’re right. It has nothing to do with me.’ With that, she retreated to her pallet and pulled a coverlet over her body.

Styr stoked up the fire, watching the sparks float into the air. The mead had discoloured his judgement, and he didn’t like the direction of his thoughts.

He was lonely.

And he would be a liar if he didn’t admit he’d considered ending his marriage. For all he knew, the fault could be his, and perhaps he had been the one cursed with the inability to have children. What right did he have to bind Elena into a marriage where she would never have a child, when he knew how desperately she wanted one?

The thoughts plagued him as he returned to his own bed, wondering what would happen when he found her once more.

The sound of the door opening awoke him from sleep. Styr stared into the shadows, the faint glow of the peat fire offering the only light.

The intruder didn’t speak, but crept towards the food Caragh had preserved in baskets. Styr had a strong suspicion of who the thief was. He watched the man as he took the basket, sneaking outside again.

Without a warning to Caragh, Styr reached for the battleaxe that she’d returned to him last night. Following the intruder, he caught up to the man and saw that it was Kelan, as he’d suspected.

‘Drop the basket,’ he commanded.

Kelan spun, and the flash of his blade gleamed against the morning fog. He dropped the basket, advancing upon him.

‘Are you that dishonourable, that you would steal food from a starving woman?’ Styr demanded. ‘When she shared what she had with you?’

‘She shared with you as well,’ the man accused. ‘And you’re nothing but a murderer. That makes her a traitor to us.’ He sliced his knife through the clouded air, circling him.

Styr dodged the blow, swinging with his own weapon. He heard the sound of a door striking against the frame, Caragh calling out to him.

‘Please don’t fight,’ she begged, as Kelan moved in with his blade.

‘He’s a thief, Caragh,’ Styr countered. ‘I should have killed him when I had the chance.’

She darted forwards and seized the basket. Styr blocked another blow with the axe and struck out at the man, his fist connecting with Kelan’s jaw. In his enemy’s eyes, he saw desperation and the mark of a coward.

Caragh came closer again, pleading, ‘Stop this. I don’t want either of you to be hurt.’

‘I suppose you’re sharing his bed, aren’t you, Caragh? Whoring yourself to the enemy.’

She stumbled back, her face flushed. ‘I’ve done no such thing. He was my prisoner, until last night.’

‘I suppose he was glad to be chained up, for your use,’ Kelan taunted. When she covered her mouth with her hands, appalled, he backhanded her, sending her to the ground. Reaching for the basket of fish, he started to flee, but Styr dived upon him. He ignored the knife and rolled with his enemy on the ground, determined to protect her.

Fury raged through Styr. Kelan was a dishonourable thief, one who ought to be punished for his deeds.

He raised his battleaxe, prepared to slice the man’s throat, when suddenly, strong arms dragged him backwards. Two men, with strength to equal his own, hauled him away from Kelan. Though Styr tried to break free, they held him back.

‘Kelan was trying to steal food from me,’ Caragh explained to the men. She stood before them, and from their physical resemblance, Styr guessed who they were.

‘Take your belongings and leave the ringfort,’ the taller man commanded Kelan. ‘If you set foot upon Gall Tír again, your life will be the forfeit.’

The man’s face was murderous as he stood. But he moved towards his own home within the ringfort. Caragh’s shoulders lowered with relief when he’d gone.

‘Let the Lochlannach go, Ronan,’ she ordered, reaching past Styr to hug the taller man. ‘Terence, you, too. He was only defending me.’

Her brothers, he guessed. And from the dark look in their eyes, they were wondering whether or not to kill him. Behind the men, he spied two horses burdened with large bundles that likely contained food and supplies.

Caragh came to stand beside him. ‘This is Styr Hardrata.’ Though her words were steady, Styr caught the warning flash in her eyes. He couldn’t quite tell what she wanted, but held his tongue.

‘And why would my sister be harbouring a Lochlannach?’ Ronan demanded. ‘Were you attacked?’

Styr gave no answer, but nodded to Caragh, letting her give what explanation she would.

‘Brendan attacked them when they arrived a few days ago,’ she explained. ‘He and his friends were planning to steal their supplies.’

Styr eyed the two brothers, and the taller man stared back, his face set in a grim line. ‘Where is he now?’

Caragh shook her head. ‘I don’t know. We were going to search for him today, in Father’s boat.’

Ronan expelled a curse, and then his gaze tightened upon his sister. ‘We?’ From the dark look in his eyes, Styr knew what the man was thinking.

‘Yes.’ Caragh lifted her chin as if to defy her brother. ‘At first, Styr was my prisoner,’ she confessed. ‘But…now, he is…’ She faltered as if searching for a reason.

Desperate, she caught his gaze and abruptly moved her arm around his waist. She managed a smile for her brothers, as if her action were explanation enough.

The touch of her arm around him sent up a flare of warning. Styr didn’t know what her intentions were, but the unexpected touch was far too familiar. She was trying to make her brothers believe that there was more than friendship between them, and the gesture bothered him.

Worse, he was acutely aware of the soft heat from her skin, the scent of her hair. He tensed, as if that could stop him from feeling anything at all. Frustration coiled inside him, but he didn’t push her away. Not until he understood what she was trying to do.

‘But now?’ Terence repeated, eyeing his sister with distrust. The man rested his hand upon the sword hanging from his scabbard. Though he kept his tone calm, his grey eyes held a warning. ‘Give me a reason why I should spare the life of a Lochlannach.’

Caragh took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. She didn’t look at Styr, but neither did she release him. ‘Now, he has come to mean far more to me.’ She tightened her grip around Styr’s waist, as if pleading with him not to speak. ‘Don’t harm him, Terence. You saw for yourself, how he defended me.’ Her hand moved up to rest upon Styr’s heart, her fingers grazing the skin beneath his throat.

That was all it took for his body to respond to her. His heartbeat quickened, and he loathed himself for the involuntary reaction. Gently, he removed her hands and remarked, ‘I don’t need your protection, Caragh.’

There was a glint of approval in Ronan’s eyes. Styr suspected he might be the leader of the tribe, from the way he stood back, assessing both of them. He was taller than his brother, with dark hair like his sister. His beard was sheared close to his skin, and there was a leanness to him, as if he, too, had suffered from the famine. Even so, from the protective nature of the man, Ronan wouldn’t take kindly to anyone speaking against Caragh.

‘Why did you come here?’ Terence demanded. The shorter man was thin, like his brother, but still heavily muscled. There was a hint of darkness to his tone, as if he were trying to provoke a fight.

‘We came to trade, and to settle here before your brother attacked us.’

Terence smirked. ‘Then you were defeated by adolescent boys. I’d have liked to see that.’

Styr’s hand shot out and gripped the man’s throat. He squeezed just hard enough to make his point. ‘My men hadn’t slept in days, after the storms at sea. They were not at their full strength.’

‘Let him go, Lochlannach,’ Ronan ordered. The point of his blade rested at Styr’s throat. ‘We have more questions that need answering.’

Styr loosened his grip, though he stared hard into Terence’s eyes with a silent threat of his own. When he released the man, Terence stepped back, rubbing the skin of his throat.

‘You said you were going to search for Brendan,’ Ronan interrupted. ‘Where do you think he sailed?’

‘Caragh thinks he may have gone to Áth Cliath.’ He made no mention of Elena’s capture, for he was still uncertain of Caragh’s intent. He doubted if her brothers believed her suggestion that they were more than friends, because the men were staring at him with distrust. Yet, despite the fact that he’d nearly strangled Terence, they viewed him with a wary respect. Like him, they were warriors. And they now knew that he could defend himself.

‘Is this true?’ Ronan asked of his sister. ‘How long has Brendan been gone?’

‘It’s true,’ she admitted. ‘He’s been gone a few days now. We were going to begin our search today.’

‘And who else was going to accompany you?’ Terence asked. ‘You weren’t planning to go off with this Lochlannach on your own, were you?’

A flash of anger darkened Caragh’s face. ‘And what choice did I have? You and Ronan left me here alone. I didn’t know when—or even if—you were coming back.’

‘Brendan was supposed to defend you,’ Terence countered.

‘And a fine job he did,’ she shot back. ‘He and his friends stole a ship and disappeared.’

Ronan came forwards, his expression sombre. ‘We never intended to be gone longer than a sennight. I’m sorry if Brendan failed in his duty to you.’ His gaze shifted to Styr. ‘How many were killed in the attack?’

‘Two of yours,’ Styr said. He crossed his arms and warned, ‘If your brother was foolish enough to take only a few men with him, it wouldn’t surprise me if my men feigned capture and took back the ship. There were more of my men than yours.’

Caragh paled. ‘Do you think Brendan is still alive?’ There was a stricken note in her voice, as if she hadn’t wanted to believe otherwise. Styr gave no answer. If he’d been among his men, he wouldn’t have hesitated to lash back at those who had dared to threaten Elena. It was possible that his men had already killed her brother.

‘We’ll know when we find my ship,’ was all he could say.

‘We will accompany you,’ Ronan said. He took a step forwards, resting his hand back on his dagger. ‘We’ve brought back more grain and other supplies that will serve us well for the journey. I’ve also arranged for more sheep and cattle to arrive later.’ He sent a pointed look towards his sister. ‘Caragh, you will remain here.’

‘No, I won’t.’ She moved between them, her face flushed. ‘The last time you left, I nearly starved to death. If it weren’t for Styr, I’d have run out of food.’ She continued talking, jabbing her finger at her older brother. ‘I’m weary of staying behind, and I won’t do it. I trust him, more than I do either of you, to find food. He helped me find crab, and fish, and—’

‘I thought you took him captive?’ Terence interrupted.

‘I did. It took almost an hour to get him chained up. Seon helped me, but they killed—’ Her words broke off, and she took a deep breath to hold back the emotion.

Terence sobered at the mention of the old man, and Caragh composed herself. ‘Enough of this. What matters now is finding Brendan.’

‘There’s also the problem of you spending several nights alone with this man,’ Ronan pointed out.

Caragh’s face turned scarlet, and Styr stiffened, waiting for her to confess that he was married and nothing had happened between them. Instead, she reached up to touch his face. ‘Don’t harm him, Ronan. He’s a good man. One who has defended me, given me food, and one who…I have come to care for.’

Styr froze in place as Caragh came up before him, standing on tiptoe. Before he could protest, she pulled his face down to hers, kissing him lightly. What was she doing? He couldn’t—

Every thought deserted him when she deepened the kiss, daring more. He understood that this was a false kiss, one meant to reassure her brothers that he wasn’t going to harm her. It was a ruse, and that was all.

The softness of her lips upon his were innocent, unknowing of the ways between a man and a woman. It startled him, and instinct warned him to break it off. But the gentle kiss reached inside his stony heart and breathed life into him.

He couldn’t remember the last time a kiss had affected him in this way. His body and mind were at war, his honour caught up in the softness of a woman’s mouth.

Caragh was trying to deceive her brothers. He understood that this kiss was only her effort to spare his life, though he didn’t need her protection.

She continued kissing him, but a dark rage blistered inside him, that she would try to use him in this way. Did she honestly believe that he would betray Elena for a woman he hardly knew?

She wanted him to kiss her back, to continue the deception. But if he kissed her back, he intended it to be on his terms—not hers.

Caragh wasn’t about to let her brothers slaughter the Lochlannach. The kiss was a reckless act, one meant to fool them into believing she and Styr had come to love each other.

But Styr was standing there in shock, not at all returning the kiss. Her brothers were going to see right through it, to know that she was making this up. His life blood would be upon her hands, and he wouldn’t be able to save Elena.

This means nothing, she willed to him silently. Kiss me back and help me deceive them.

She opened her mouth, wondering if he would ever play along with this. Without warning, his hands seized her face, his mouth conquering hers. Heat poured through her, his tongue sliding within her mouth. She couldn’t breathe from the intensity of the desire that poured through her.

It was dark and punishing, a man who refused to be bent to a woman’s will. And God help her, she had no choice but to surrender. His lips were hard, his tongue invading her mouth with a forbidden power that weakened her knees.

At this moment, she forgot about her brothers standing there. She forgot about honour and promises, completely captivated by the forbidden kiss.

She clung to Styr, knowing her legs would never support her. The kiss was carnal, as if they had already been illicit lovers. And when he broke free, his eyes held fury.

Her lips were swollen, and Caragh no longer knew what to say. Silently, she apologised, but his eyes were upon her brothers.

‘We’re leaving now,’ he said. ‘If you want to bring your supplies and join us in searching for your younger brother, I’ll prepare the boat.’

Caragh’s heart was pounding, her breathing unsteady as he strode off towards the shore. He was livid with her for daring to kiss him, for forcing him into this position.

She shouldn’t have done it. She’d only meant to fool her brothers, to give them a reason to leave Styr alone. Instead, she’d forced the Lochlannach into a betrayal he hadn’t wanted. Likely he despised her, and she desperately wanted to beg his forgiveness.

‘Come with us, if you like,’ she said to her brothers, trailing after Styr. She stopped only once to pick up the basket of preserved fish and a container of water, hurrying down to the shoreline.

‘She’s lying,’ Terence predicted. ‘If our sister is in love with that Lochlannach, then I’ve grown a pair of wings.’

Ronan studied Caragh and the way she’d run after the Viking. She was wanting to protect the man, but for what reason, he couldn’t fathom. It had been almost a year since he’d seen his sister show any interest in a man. Kelan had broken her heart, and she’d shunned any of the others who might have taken the man’s place.

Until now. Whether or not there was anything between them, there was no doubt the kiss had affected Caragh.

‘I want to watch them together,’ Ronan mused. ‘She should marry. It’s been too long since Kelan.’

‘But a Lochlannach?’ Terence eyed the man warily. ‘They’re not to be trusted. And did you forget, he nearly killed me just now?’

‘If that were his intent, you’d be dead,’ he countered. ‘You shouldn’t have taunted him.’ Ronan would have done the same, had he been in the Viking’s place. ‘When Kelan tried to steal, he fought on her behalf. I saw him go after the man.’

‘And you want our sister with a man who can’t control his temper?’

‘He was controlling it,’ Ronan said. ‘Just as he did when he threatened you.’ At his brother’s grimace, he continued, ‘I want her with a man who can defend her. I don’t doubt this Loch­ lannach would protect her from every harm.’ He handed the horses to Terence. ‘Bring our supplies and leave the animals with Iona. We’ll accompany our sister to Áth Cliath, as she suggested.’

His gaze passed over Caragh and Styr, who were standing near the boat. His sister had been unhappy for too long. Although he didn’t believe there was anything between them, his sister had defended the man. She did care about his welfare, whatever the reason.

Terence walked at his side along the shore. ‘You don’t think he’ll harm her?’

Ronan shook his head. ‘I won’t pass judgement over him until I’ve watched them together. But if he isn’t to be trusted, we’ll leave him behind in Áth Cliath.’

His brother shot him a sidelong glance. ‘You’re matchmaking, aren’t you?’

Ronan stopped walking, holding his brother back while he studied Caragh and the Loch­ lannach. ‘Only if he’s worthy of her.’

‘If he’s not, there might be an “accident”,’ Terence suggested.

Ronan absently rubbed his beard, staring at the two of them. Whether or not his sister realised it, the Viking never took his eyes off her. The man most definitely had feelings towards Caragh, but Ronan couldn’t guess whether it was lust or something more.

‘We’ll know within a day,’ he predicted. ‘Give them a moment before we join them.’

As he observed the pair of them, he saw the way his sister was looking at Styr. It had been a year since he’d held her while she’d wept upon the evening of her wedding. The day Kelan had ruined by abandoning her, for love of another. He’d watched his sister retreat into herself, spending all of her time with the elderly folk of their tribe. She’d thrown herself into service, as if trying to escape her own life.

And when their parents had died, she’d not allowed herself to grieve, but instead had taken responsibility for Brendan.

Caragh needed a life of her own and a man to give her a home and children. If this Loch­ lannach could bring back the sister he loved, so be it.

But if he dared to break her heart, Ronan wouldn’t hesitate to tear the man apart.