Claire Delacroix by The Warrior Page B

to do was escape. Evasion of four men bent on observing her would not be readily done. Worse, she saw that the Hawk was by nature wary. They halted seldom and only for short periods, and she had no respite even when the Hawk slept. There were always two men awake, and at least one watched her exclusively while the other stood guard.
    The party rode through forest when they traveled during the day, and Aileen was certain that they circled around villages and keeps where awkward questions might have been asked. Sometimes she smelled a distant wood fire, though she gave no hint that her blood quickened at the presence of others who might lend her aid.
    She might have to wait to escape until they reached Inverfyre, which was certain to be little more than a circle of men’s tents. By then, the Hawk would trust her fully.
    She would make certain of it.

IV
    O n the second night after they had left Abernye, the Hawk took guard and watched the moon wane from last quarter. There was only a sliver of it left and anticipation quickened his pulse. He sensed that his men were increasingly tense as the final battle with the MacLaren clan drew near. He, too, was impatient to see the matter resolved, especially now that he had a bride.
    It was time to fill Inverfyre with children and laughter, instead of talk of war and fear of pillage.
    It was time to claim the last piece of Magnus’ Armstrong’s original holding of Inverfyre. The MacLaren clan had claimed the original site of the first keep and chapel. They launched their assaults from there, they had built a wooden keep of sorts there, and the Hawk was prepared to claim what was rightfully his own.
    He watched his bride sleep as the night slipped away, then roused the company just before the sky brightened. The men saddled their horses with gruff haste, their breath fogging the morning air. The lady made no complaint, as the Hawk was beginning to expect of her, and swung into his saddle at his gesture.
    He admired her lithe grace when her gaze was averted and regretted that there was yet another matter that must wait. He would court her abed, not pounce upon her in the forest.
    Even if the waiting killed him.
    They made good time, but halted in midmorning and hid themselves in the woods. The men were restless and unlikely to sleep at this hour, though it was treacherous to continue. The further south they rode, the more dense the settlements and the more likely they would encounter a shepherd before they even realized a town was near.
    The Hawk sat back on his heels beside his wife and strove to put her at ease. “I must apologize, lady mine, for years of battle have dulled my manners,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I have failed to introduce you to my men.”
    She sniffed, her eyes flashing with disdain before she managed to compose her expression. “It is of no import.”
    “I forget how to bow,” Alasdair said with a grin.
    “Ah, I shall remind you how to greet a lady,” Ahearn declared with a smile for Aileen. The lady regarded him with appropriate wariness, to the Hawk’s thinking.
    “This,” the Hawk said, gesturing to Ahearn, “is the most notorious rogue in our company.” The tall, dark-haired man rose and bowed deeply, untroubled by this introduction. “Ahearn O’Donnell is an ostler by trade, a warrior by necessity and a seducer of women by inclination.”
    Aileen sniffed, though she said nothing.
    “I have a way with herbs, as well, my lady, if ever you have a wound in need of healing,” Ahearn said as he gallantly kissed the back of Aileen’s hand.
    “How intriguing,” she said. “And where would you have learned such a skill?”
    “From my old aunt, who had a talent with such matters.”
    “Ha! He will grant you a potion that will have you upon your back,” Sebastien snorted. “A man of such dubious charm has need of nefarious tricks to coax maidens to his bed.”
    “I consider myself warned,” the lady said.
    “Ahearn is also a vigilant