He had gone too long without a woman. It was a need that had to be satisfied and he might be wise to satisfy himself since he’d seek no other woman now that Purity would be his wife. He intended to be a good husband to her and a faithful one. He hadn’t given thought to marrying, thinking solitude best for him. But yesterday, fishing with Purity, along with the dog and the sneaky, fish-stealing cat, providing food for them gave him a sense of purpose he hadn’t felt in a long while.
His days had consisted of battles or preparing for battles or tales of battles. Yesterday gave him a glimpse of life that might suit him. Seeing Purity in bed and the thought of what it would be like to be wrapped snugly around her—his wife—a woman who was his and his alone held an appeal. It was a good thought that plagued him and he realized that he had thought so much on it that he had had no time for memories to assault him, and for that he was grateful.
The mare poked him in the back with her nose and Arran turned. “I’m afraid this rain keeps us here another day.” He stroked the horse’s neck. “Home may be different than I first told you. We will need to reside with Purity’s clan. What matters is that we stay together.”
The mare bobbed her head as though that mattered to her as well.
“There’s not much that can be done today in this rain,” Arran said and looked to the cottage. It would be best if he avoided it for now, his arousal yet to abate. And while they would wed, he would not take her before marriage, and he certainly wouldn’t do anything if she wasn’t willing.
But would she be willing when they wed, since she insisted time and again she wouldn’t wed him? Would she be so angry with him that she would deny him his husbandly rights?
“She knows this is the right thing to do and she will do what is right,” Arran said to the mare. This time the horse didn’t nod.
The door to the cottage opened and King darted out followed by Princess. Both animals went off to see to their duties. Purity followed after the two, not bothering to glance around for him as she pulled the hood of her worn cloak up over her head.
He hurried over to her and she stopped when she caught sight of him.
“Don’t follow me, I won’t be long,” she said, hoping he understood.
“I will keep my eyes averted while you see to your morning duties,” he said.
“I have no time to argue with you. Remain where I can’t see you or else,” she warned and hurried off.
Had she just threatened him? He shook his head and followed her.
Purity made her way beneath a large pine tree, the thick branches overhead protecting her a bit from the rain. She hurried to get done when Arran’s head came into view over the top of a bush and he looked directly at her.
“What did I tell you?” she cried out.
“I can’t see anything,” he argued, wanting to make certain no one snuck up on her.
“You can see me.”
“Only part of you.” The next thing he knew a rock bounced off his chest. “Did you just throw a rock at me?”
“I did and the next one will hit your head if you don’t turn around,” she cautioned and when he didn’t move, she threw another rock at him.
Arran caught it. “I’ll do whatever is necessary to see you safe. Throw another rock at me and I will come stand right in front of you until you’re done.”
Purity didn’t argue, having no doubt he would do as he warned. She hurried and finished and when they reached the cottage, he hurried in behind her. She stopped him from closing the door, grabbing it, and looking out.
“King! Princess!” she shouted and repeated their names twice more before they both appeared and rushed into the cottage.
“They’re animals. They should stay outside,” Arran said, slipping off the fur that hung around his shoulders.
“Their family,” she said, thinking she’d be forever reminding him of that.
She sat what was left of the bread on the small table and the last of the quail eggs. She would gather more if she was going to remain here, but it didn’t seem likely she would be staying and she was still trying to comprehend that.
“We will leave tomorrow,” he said, moving the barrel to the table to sit on, leaving the lone chair for her.
“I would argue with you, but it makes little sense. You will continue to ignore my wishes.”
“I do what is best for you, Purity.”
Her name fell from his lips like a soft caress and sent gooseflesh rushing down her arms. This was not good. Before she knew it, she’d accept the marriage bargain he proposed without question. “So you think.”