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J osephine was dreaming of Torridon and the days before her father and brother had died, when there was all the time in the world to pursue leisurely hobbies or do nothing at all.

The birds sang, Torridon was in fine condition, and she could see her father’s face as plainly as if he were breathing again. She was happy.

She dreamed that she was standing in the foyer with her father when the massive entry door opened of its own accord, with the wind hissing in and lightning flashing.

She turned to see Andrew standing in the doorway, larger than life, as the wind blew his hair wildly, his big body clad from head-to-toe with armor and leather.

She smiled at the sight of him as her father looked on cautiously. Just like Father, Josephine thought; always wary. Andrew smiled at her and began to walk towards her, with his big boots thumping deliberately on the stone. He extended a gauntleted hand to her.

“Josephine,” he said. His voice made her feel warm and tingly all over.

She placed her hand in his, her other hand going to his cheek. It was warm and scratchy with stubble.

“Josephine,” he said. His voice was so… real.

“ Josephine!”

Josephine jolted from her sleep at the sound of her name. Someone was calling to her. Before she could see who it was, however, a huge hand clamped over her mouth and she felt hot breath in her ear.

“Joey, love, it is I,” Andrew whispered soothingly. “Keep quiet.”

Josephine sat up in bed, throwing her arms around him faster than he could rise to the bed from his knees.

In fact, she’d thrown him off balance. As Josephine clung to his neck, Andrew sat on the bed and clutched her fiercely, feeling her warmth against him.

It was better than he remembered, and all the risk that he had taken to find her was well worth the price.

At this moment, it didn’t seem like any risk at all.

He had her.

Josephine was so happy to see Andrew that she couldn’t even speak.

Half-asleep, she wondered if she was still dreaming, but he felt so firm and warm under her hands.

Had she gone mad, then? Tears sprang to her eyes, tears of joy and relief.

Her excitement overwhelmed her as she peppered his face with eager kisses.

“Is it really you?” she gasped.

“It is really me.”

Those words meant the world to her. She hadn’t gone mad, after all. “But how did you find me?” she whispered urgently.

Now, his kisses were overtaking her, leaving her breathless. “Foolish Joey,” he breathed. “Did I not tell you that I would always come to you? Not even death could keep me from you, sweet. And certainly not Alex the Weak. What happened? How did you get here?”

Josephine struggled to catch her breath. “Ridge de Reyne,” she said. “Do you know him? He is the king’s bodyguard. He abducted me at Torridon just as the battle was about to begin.”

It was confirmation of what Andrew had already heard. “But how did he get you out of the castle?”

She shook her head. “I do not know,” she said. “He knocked me unconscious. When I came to, we were on the road.”

Andrew sighed heavily. In the long run, it didn’t matter how Ridge removed her from Torridon.

All that mattered now was how to get her back there.

He kissed her and hugged her again, holding her tightly, feeling his mind clear now that she was in his arms. Now, he could think clearly. He had to have a plan.

“My fortress,” Josephine broke into his thoughts. “What happened to my fortress?”

He released her enough so that he could look her in the eye. “Have no fear, my little solider,” he assured her. “Torridon still stands.”

“Is it badly damaged?” she asked. “What of Colin Dalmellington and his army?”

“They suffered heavy casualties,” he said. “Now that they know The Red Fury’s army is protecting Torridon, I doubt they will attack again any time soon. Their losses were severe.

Josephine was greatly relieved to hear that. “But what of my men?”

He sobered. “We lost four knights, including Severn.”

Josephine’s expression washed with sorrow as she thought back to her last moments at Torridon.

“I hesitate to tell you that it may have been Ridge who killed Severn,” she said.

“Severn was with me the moment Ridge abducted me. There was a fight… at least, I think there was. I really do not know. All I know is that Severn and I were heading to the wall and, suddenly, someone hit me on the head. That is all I remember, but if Severn tried to defend me against Ridge, then it is possible that Ridge killed him.”

Andrew wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

In a fair fight, men were often killed, and Ridge was carrying out the king’s orders.

Severn more than likely got in the man’s way.

It was brutal and it was regretful, but it explained a lot.

Seeing the anxiety on Josephine’s face, he hastened to reassure her.

“Anything is possible,” he said. “Not to defend the man, but I hesitate to accuse him of murder without proof.”

“Nor I,” Josephine said. “It is sad, Andrew… Ridge seems like a decent man. He was not cruel to me in the least on our travels here. He was simply carrying out orders, orders that it was clear he did not agree with. The king ordered him to abduct me from Torridon, so he did. But I do not think he likes our king in the least. Nicholas told me that the king’s courtiers taunt Ridge because he is English. They are not kind to him at all.”

Andrew thought that was rather interesting. “I would not taunt Ridge de Reyne in any case,” he said. “He is a very big man with a very big sword. The king’s courtiers are fools.”

Josephine nodded, laying her head against his chest as the excitement of their reunion died down and reality settled in. She snuggled close, feeling his arms wrapped around her. But his presence, and his closeness, reminded her of one very important factor.

“Your brother will be here tomorrow,” she said.

“I know,” he said softly.

She lifted her head to look at him. “You do? How do you know?”

He smiled faintly. “I have been paying a good deal of money for information around here,” he said. “I was told my brother is expected shortly.”

She eyed him in the darkness, her hand going up to his rough cheek. “And you will fight him when he comes.”

“I will.”

She knew that. She’d known it all along, but it didn’t stop the tears of fright in her eyes. She’d heard terrible things about the earl and was rightfully terrified. Andrew caught the tearful glimmer.

“Do not fear,” he whispered softly. “I shall not lose. I cannot. Love conquers all.”

“But… everyone will be against you,” she said, struggling not to weep. “It will be you and me against the entire kingdom.”

“And Sully,” he put in.

She looked surprised. “Sully is here?”

He nodded, amused at her expression. “He is hiding down in the garden like a good little knight,” he said. “You did not think he would remain at Torridon while his mistress was in distress, did you?”

Josephine shook her head in wonder, a faint smile on her lips. “Nay,” she said. “And I am more at ease with the knowledge that Sully is here. But I am still frightened for you, Andrew. I do not know what I would do if I lost you.”

He kissed her gently. “Have I not told you this, Joey? Not even death can keep me from you. I will win this battle because I have the most to lose. Therefore, I cannot lose.”

He sounded confident but she was still frightened. But she thought not to tell him again because he already knew her fears. She was afraid it might damage his confidence if she continued to tell him how fearful she was.

They sat in silence for several moments after that, embracing tightly and feeling each other’s warmth. Josephine was completely overwhelmed by his presence, never wanting to be separated from him again. She could have remained as they were, forever.

Andrew, for his part, was deep in thought.

He knew he might not get another chance to be alone with her like this, at least not for a while, and there was something he knew he must do.

She was his, always and forever, and he had to taste her again.

He needed to feel her warmth around him but, more than that, he had to demonstrate his love for her once more.

With a battle on the horizon, he was afraid it might be for the last time.

Tipping her chin up, his lips claimed hers sweetly, tenderly.

When Josephine put her arms around his neck, his kisses grew more passionate, more forceful, and he laid her back on the bed.

Without words, Josephine seemed to know what was about to happen.

Already, she was opening her legs for him, her body completely nude beneath the shift she wore.

Andrew didn’t keep her waiting.

Time was passing, and the chances of Andrew being discovered greatly increased.

Quickly he stripped off everything, his tunic and breeches coming off, landing in a pile next to the bed.

Josephine could see his magnificent body in the weak light and she ran a finger over his chest, his belly, watching him shudder at her touch.

She was discovering the feel of a man, acquainting herself with Andrew’s spectacular form, but Andrew couldn’t control himself. Reaching up, he grasped the linen gown and pulled it quickly over her head, exposing her nakedness.

His hands reached out to gently fondle her breasts, unbelievably soft in his callused hands.

He dipped his head forward and caught her lips in his own, and gently caressed her breasts as he suckled her lips.

It was sensual, maddening, and utterly arousing, and Josephine was being driven mad, she was sure.

His touch electrified her and his mouth was doing devilishly wonderful things.

When he settled himself between her pretty legs, she was without fear, and when he began to thrust, she welcomed it.