they were as strong as any castle in Normandy.
He would do the same with Stonecrest and Ridley.
They spent the rest of the morning riding over the land.
Damron inspected and pointed out areas that needed attention. Within the castle walls, the baron assured him Galan was in charge of the defenses.
After they returned to the solar, Damron spoke directly to Galan as he explained his plans. He sketched what he wanted done. With these improvements, Ridley’s fortifications would be impossible to breach. He had no doubt Galan would do a masterful job. He was used to sizing a man’s honor.
When finished with his instructions, he went out into the bailey.
Entering the dim stable, he sighed with relief. The familiar sounds of horses and the smell of freshly strewn hay all soothed him.
Away from the gaping eyes of the castle inhabitants, he rolled and flexed his shoulders, relieving his tense muscles.
Horses were so much less complicated than people. He called softly to Angel, who ignored him. With his great head facing Sweetpea four stalls away, Angel whinnied, courting the mare with batting eyes, demanding her attention. His antics went unrewarded. Occasionally, Sweetpea snorted and shook her head, denying Angel’s invitations.
Damron grinned. How alike they were to their human owners. The mare could deny the stallion if she wished, but when the time was right, she would have little say in the matter of a mate, much like her human sisters. Or her human brothers, for that matter.
He told Brianna’s groom to ready Sweetpea to travel.
While he watched the man prepare the mare, he thought about selecting a smaller mount for Brianna. When they reached Blackthorn, he wanted his bride in one piece.
As if his thoughts had drawn her, Brianna rushed headlong
88
Sophia Johnson
into the stables with Elise following behind. Her eyes widened on seeing him, and she skidded to a stop. Elise crashed into her back, propelling them forward.
Brianna all but fell into his arms. He folded them securely around her and brought her close against his chest. He inhaled her fresh, appealing scent. Her warm flesh pressed tight against his length quickened his blood. Anticipating the night to come, his loins hardened.
Elise took one look at his face, squeaked and darted back out the door.
“Hmmm, wife, will ye have such enthusiasm about all yer endeavors?” he murmured in her ear.
His raspy voice and burgeoning sex told Brianna what endeavors had come to his mind. His embrace tightened.
She tossed her head with a disgruntled expression, much as Sweetpea had responded to Angel. He held back a laugh.
“If I’d known you were here, ogre, I would have run in the opposite direction.” She pushed against his chest as she talked.
“Name me ogre if ye will, wife, and I will be as ye call me,” he whispered. When his lips touched the sensitive flesh beneath her ear, a shiver coursed through her. He studied her face, but she could not meet his gaze for long. Did she plan to run from him a second time?
“To what purpose did ye race into the stable?”
“I came to make sure they groomed and pampered Sweetpea before we leave.”
“’Tis good ye are here. I would have ye choose a gentler mount.”
He relaxed his hold on her. She sprang back from him.
“Sweetpea is as gentle a mount as can be found. If you’re concerned because of my fall, don’t be. Sweetpea is unused to me riding that boxlike saddle from the abbey and didn’t like my skirts. They startled her.”
“Dinna dream to ride as ye did in the woods with yer
ALWAYS MINE
89
clothin’ raised to display yer flesh for all to see.” His muscles stiffened and his eyebrows rose as he contemplated her.
“I have garments for riding astride, sir. Not a speck of skin will show.”
“Explain this attire to me.”
Annoyance crossed her face. Aye. She could not hide her feelings. Her lips tightened before she replied.
“It’s a slitted tunic and a special pair of leggings
He would do the same with Stonecrest and Ridley.
They spent the rest of the morning riding over the land.
Damron inspected and pointed out areas that needed attention. Within the castle walls, the baron assured him Galan was in charge of the defenses.
After they returned to the solar, Damron spoke directly to Galan as he explained his plans. He sketched what he wanted done. With these improvements, Ridley’s fortifications would be impossible to breach. He had no doubt Galan would do a masterful job. He was used to sizing a man’s honor.
When finished with his instructions, he went out into the bailey.
Entering the dim stable, he sighed with relief. The familiar sounds of horses and the smell of freshly strewn hay all soothed him.
Away from the gaping eyes of the castle inhabitants, he rolled and flexed his shoulders, relieving his tense muscles.
Horses were so much less complicated than people. He called softly to Angel, who ignored him. With his great head facing Sweetpea four stalls away, Angel whinnied, courting the mare with batting eyes, demanding her attention. His antics went unrewarded. Occasionally, Sweetpea snorted and shook her head, denying Angel’s invitations.
Damron grinned. How alike they were to their human owners. The mare could deny the stallion if she wished, but when the time was right, she would have little say in the matter of a mate, much like her human sisters. Or her human brothers, for that matter.
He told Brianna’s groom to ready Sweetpea to travel.
While he watched the man prepare the mare, he thought about selecting a smaller mount for Brianna. When they reached Blackthorn, he wanted his bride in one piece.
As if his thoughts had drawn her, Brianna rushed headlong
88
Sophia Johnson
into the stables with Elise following behind. Her eyes widened on seeing him, and she skidded to a stop. Elise crashed into her back, propelling them forward.
Brianna all but fell into his arms. He folded them securely around her and brought her close against his chest. He inhaled her fresh, appealing scent. Her warm flesh pressed tight against his length quickened his blood. Anticipating the night to come, his loins hardened.
Elise took one look at his face, squeaked and darted back out the door.
“Hmmm, wife, will ye have such enthusiasm about all yer endeavors?” he murmured in her ear.
His raspy voice and burgeoning sex told Brianna what endeavors had come to his mind. His embrace tightened.
She tossed her head with a disgruntled expression, much as Sweetpea had responded to Angel. He held back a laugh.
“If I’d known you were here, ogre, I would have run in the opposite direction.” She pushed against his chest as she talked.
“Name me ogre if ye will, wife, and I will be as ye call me,” he whispered. When his lips touched the sensitive flesh beneath her ear, a shiver coursed through her. He studied her face, but she could not meet his gaze for long. Did she plan to run from him a second time?
“To what purpose did ye race into the stable?”
“I came to make sure they groomed and pampered Sweetpea before we leave.”
“’Tis good ye are here. I would have ye choose a gentler mount.”
He relaxed his hold on her. She sprang back from him.
“Sweetpea is as gentle a mount as can be found. If you’re concerned because of my fall, don’t be. Sweetpea is unused to me riding that boxlike saddle from the abbey and didn’t like my skirts. They startled her.”
“Dinna dream to ride as ye did in the woods with yer
ALWAYS MINE
89
clothin’ raised to display yer flesh for all to see.” His muscles stiffened and his eyebrows rose as he contemplated her.
“I have garments for riding astride, sir. Not a speck of skin will show.”
“Explain this attire to me.”
Annoyance crossed her face. Aye. She could not hide her feelings. Her lips tightened before she replied.
“It’s a slitted tunic and a special pair of leggings
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