"Come," Torrin whispered. Taking her hand, he led her back along the corridor. His big hand surrounded and warmed hers, soothing her and giving her shivers at the same time.

"I thank you for helping Aiden," she said. "I've never seen him so upset. Hopefully, he's back to his old self again."

"I hope so." Torrin pulled her into his guest room and closed the door. Considering the attentive way he watched her, he was no longer thinking of her brother.

"And now what are you about, MacLeod, bringing me to your chamber?" She placed her hands upon her hips in a mock severe posture.

"I wish to speak to you," he said mysteriously.

"About?"

"Are you avoiding me?"

"Nay," Jessie said, although, in one way, she wished she could avoid him; in another, she wished to tackle him to the bed right now. "Why would you think that?"

"You didn't break your fast in the great hall, even though there was an empty seat beside me."

"I simply don't want everyone to think… you know… that we're…" She paused, refusing to say the words.

"We're what?" He lifted a brow.

He knew what she was trying to say, blast him.

His expression turned troubled. "You're ashamed of me," he said, somewhere between a statement and a question.

"Of course not! The clan will gossip. They will think we're…"

"Lovers?" he supplied.

A mixture of heat and excitement washed over her. "Aye."

"Well, they will think the truth, then."

She blew out an exasperated breath. "I don't wish everyone to know that."

"You won't avoid me tonight, will you?" he murmured. "I woke up last night and you were gone. I missed you."

"We cannot be caught together again. Uncle Conall already—" she broke off, not wanting to discuss the M word with Torrin.

He sent her a mischievous look. "Conall told me he intended to have a discussion with you. Did he give good advice?"

"I have no need for anyone's advice," she said firmly.

"Ah, well, I figured as much," he said in a mild tone, and was obviously squelching a grin.

She glared at him. "You put him up to that, did you not?"

"Nay! 'Twas all his idea. He confronted me about being in your chamber. I told him the truth—that I wish to marry you." Torrin crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow.

"And I told him the truth as well—that I cannot marry you. Now, if you will pardon me, I must get to the great hall." She eyed the door, hoping he would let her pass.

"What if you are with child?" he whispered.

Her gaze flew to his, lit brilliant green by the midday sunlight slicing in through the narrow window.

"I'm not." She would know it if she was with child, wouldn't she?

He tilted his head. "How do you know?"

She narrowed her eyes. "If that happens, I'll tell you. In the meantime, there is no sense discussing it." And getting her hopes up. Aye, she would like naught better than to have children of her own… with him… but she couldn't tell him that. 'Twas like a sweet tart dangling before her nose, while she starved, unable to reach it.

Slowly, he moved toward her, and though she knew she should back away, she couldn't. The sensual look in his eyes was too tempting by far.

He stroked a finger along her jawline, sending tingles traveling down her neck to her breasts, then he leaned in and kissed her lips. The light, sweet kiss urged her to latch herself onto him and demand more… demand all the heat and passion she knew he could unleash on her. She fisted her hand in his plaid and tugged. With a moan, he slipped his arm around her waist and drew her closer. This time, he consumed her lips, flinging her scattered thoughts to the wind like thistledown. He slipped his hands lower, over her hips, and pulled her tight against him. The hard length of him, obvious behind his plaid, made her recall how splendidly he'd made love to her, giving her pleasures she'd never imagined before him.

"I want you," he whispered, then sucked her earlobe into his mouth, before nibbling down her neck.

She shivered. "They're expecting me in the great hall," she whispered.

"Who cares? I need you more. And 'tis obvious you need me, too."

"If we're both… missing," she said, trying to gather her broken thoughts, "they'll know we're together."

He growled and stepped back, his eyes much darker now. "I want to see you tonight. I'll slip to your room after everyone's abed."

The passion in his demanding tone sent spikes of excitement through her. She looked forward to their trysts as much as he did, and she could not deny him.

"How does that sound?" he asked.

"Very well," she said modestly, trying to hide her own enthusiasm. "But we must keep it a secret."

Lifting a brow, he gave her a wee smile. "I'm good at keeping secrets."

If only she could keep her heart out of the mix until she was with child. But that was impossible. She already loved him so much, just the thought of him abandoning her near gutted her.

***

As Jessie and everyone was gathering for supper, a guard stormed down the stairs and into the great hall, startling her. "Three large galleys are being rowed into Balnakeil Bay!" he announced.

Jessie hurried toward him, excitement buoying her steps. "Is it Dirk and the MacKay party?"

"We're not certain."

She quickly followed the guard onto the battlements to take a look, Torrin behind her. Shading her eyes, she did indeed see the three sizable galleys in the distance. "They didn't leave on galleys," she said.

"Nay, but the MacKenzie chief promised Chief Dirk a galley as part of Lady Isobel's dowry."

"'Tis true," Torrin said.

As the galleys drew nearer, she could see more detail. Their plaids looked familiar and she thought she saw Dirk's red hair shining, and their fair-haired cousin, Keegan, beside him. "I believe 'tis the MacKays." She noticed five castle guards striding purposefully toward the beach. "Are those guards going to warn them that Haldane is lurking about?"

"Aye."

"I'll go down and meet them." Torrin gave her hand a squeeze, then rushed down the stairs.

As the galleys drew nearer, she recognized more of the people aboard—Lady Isobel, Lady Seona—both with dark hair—and her aunt, Lady Patience. What on earth were they doing returning? Part of the reason for the journey was to take Seona and her aunt to their home near Inverness. No matter. She was thrilled to see Seona, for Jessie considered her a good friend. And of course, Isobel, being her sister-by-marriage, was almost like a true sister to her.

Thankfully, Dirk stood proudly in the bow of the galley, as tall and imposing as always. Happy tears filling her eyes, she was grateful he had survived the arrow wound.

Jessie also noticed a couple of Isobel's brothers aboard, along with Dirk's friend, Laird Rebbinglen, or Rebbie, as his friends called him.

Minutes later, some of the guards on board the galleys leapt into the shallow surf and tugged the boats further onto the beach. Luckily, high tide was in. Or maybe they had waited off-shore until high tide.

She watched as the ladies and their maids disembarked and guards escorted them toward the castle. Jessie rushed down several flights of steps and across the great hall so she might greet them in the courtyard.

Torrin waited by the portcullis with Iain, as did several clansmen and guards. When the women were escorted inside, Jessie hurried toward them.