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In his ardor, Andrew released her arms and Josephine immediately wound them around his neck, with their kisses growing in fervor. Andrew wrapped his thickly-muscled arms around her body and lifted her, carrying her swiftly to the furs that constituted his bed, and laid her gently down.

God’s Bones, he couldn’t seem to get enough of her.

Josephine was so caught up in the heat of the moment, she barely realized he had laid her down.

His hands roamed her body freely, rubbing her hard nipples through the fabric.

His mouth left hers, blazing a trail down her neck and gently brushing the tops of her full breasts.

The sensations were so utterly incredible that Josephine had not the mind to stop him if she wanted to.

She should… but she couldn’t.

But abruptly, he stopped. Lifting his head, Andrew looked deep into her eyes with a passion-strained expression.

Josephine gazed back at him with her mind at a standstill.

But she did wonder, fleetingly, why he had stopped and why he was looking at her.

She was greedy in that she wanted more; more kisses, more of him.

She didn’t want him to stop. Finally, Andrew’s mouth moved as if he were going to speak but, instead, he simply went back to kissing her. Josephine responded eagerly.

“My lord!” someone yelled from outside the tent. “Lord Andrew!”

Andrew was on his feet and raced to the tent flap before Josephine even had time to open her eyes. But as she scrambled up and tried to look as regal as possible, the tent flap opened and in swept Thane.

Thane opened his mouth to speak, but caught sight of Josephine and hesitated a split second. Andrew saw his surprised look and sighed impatiently.

“Well, well? What is it?” he demanded.

Thane tore his eyes away from Josephine and focused on his lord. “Riders,” he said quickly. “About three miles out.”

“How many?” Andrew asked.

“About twenty,” Thane replied. “Wearing uniforms and flying green and yellow colors.”

Andrew looked at Josephine for her opinion. She stepped forward towards the men, her eyes wide.

“Those are Kennedy colors,” she said. “Are they bearing weapons?”

Thane shook his head. “Nay,” he said. “It looks like an escort of some kind.”

She and Andrew passed perplexed glances.

“This time of night?” he asked her. “Who would be riding at this hour?”

She shook her head, perhaps a bit apprehensive. “It must be extremely urgent for Methuselah Kennedy to be exposing himself in the dead of night.”

Andrew didn’t waste any time. He turned to Thane. “Send a party out to meet them,” he instructed swiftly. “Bring them directly into the inner bailey, and say nothing of the events of today. Understood?”

“Aye, my lord,” Thane said, and was gone.

Andrew turned to Josephine. “Any idea as to why they should come?”

She shook her head, increasingly concerned. “I would not know,” she said. “But I am certain we will find out soon enough.”

It was a true statement. But Andrew realized he was nearly as apprehensive as Josephine was. Whatever it was, he was certain it could not be good.

But there was no time to waste. With guests on the approach, Andrew went to the corner of his tent where his mail and protection hung on a frame and donned his mail coat.

He also had pieces of plate protection and Josephine watched as he deftly donned the protection and secured his sword.

Picking up the big leather gauntlets he always wore, he pulled them on.

As Josephine watched it all curiously, it occurred to her that this was the true professional soldier that he was.

Big, fearsome, and deadly. It sent a shiver of fear up her spine, for he was truly formidable.

She had seen him many times before in his armor and gauntlets, and she didn’t know why this particular time was so different.

It was as if she just realized she was gazing at the legend of The Red Fury.

There was a prideful feeling about it, too. It was this legend, this man, who was to be her husband. Such warm, giddy feelings filled her chest. Pulling herself from her daydreams, she gathered her skirts and moved to the tent entry.

“I will ride out with them,” she said. “I must have my horse brought around.”

He turned to her with lightning speed, a command to remain at Torridon on his lips.

But he knew she wouldn’t tolerate that well, so he paused before replying carefully.

“I am sure that will not be necessary,” he said.

“You have enough men to do that for you. Surely you would rather remain here, where it is warm and safe.”

Josephine shook her head. “As the heiress of Torridon, it is good manners to greet other clans personally,” she informed him patiently. “No need to fear; the Kennedy are allies. You may join me in greeting them if you wish.”

He regarded her steadily, not at all pleased with her decision, but understanding her reason. But in the back of his mind, a voice was screaming a warning to him… riders on a dark night… in armor… bearing colors… it just didn’t make sense.

It was a custom that the chief of a clan greet allies personally; everyone knew that.

With all of the trouble Torridon had been experiencing, the word “ambush” flashed in Andrew’s mind.

If a man could control Josephine, then he could control Torridon.

But Andrew knew no amount of pleading would change her mind. He had no choice.

“Very well,” he said begrudgingly. “I will ride with you.”

“Bring thirty or so men with you. Will you leave Thane here to assist Sully?”

“I will.”

He didn’t seem happy about any of this, but Josephine didn’t care.

She turned for the tent flap and as she pushed it back, she stopped and turned around to look at him one more time.

He wasn’t looking at her as he adjusted the tunic over his mail.

Josephine admired how the light from the brazier made his hair dance with color. God, he was a glorious man.

“Andrew?” she said softly.

He stopped and looked up at her. “Aye?”

“I will ask you only this once and I would appreciate an honest answer,” she said. “Did you bed my servants?”

He straightened, gazing into her angelic face. It suddenly dawned on him that she was jealous, and she didn’t even know it. There was insecurity there, something that made her seem vulnerable and womanly. It was good to see, and his heart softened.

“Nay,” he said softly. “I have not even had the time. But if I had the time, I think I might’ve spent it with you.”

She smiled modestly and lowered her gaze, pushing through the tent flap.

He looked down at the empty doorway for a few moments before a smile appeared on his lips.

It had been the right answer. And it had been the truth.