“I’m thinking about it.” She looked up at him. “I suppose I will. MacDuff would probably be very pissed off at you if he found out you hadn’t trusted him and came here to check up on his arrangements.” She shook her head. “And you were very obliging. It wasn’t totally sex. That was important, too. You listened, you made me feel…” She suddenly pushed away from him and got to her feet. “You know how you made me feel,” she said jerkily. “You’re very good at it.” She grabbed her jacket, went to the stable door, and threw up the lock. “It’s still raining. I guess that’s good. Less chance of anyone noticing me crossing back to the castle.”

His brows rose, “Now you’re worrying about it?”

“Only for your sake. I don’t give a damn. You seem to have a plan. You always have a plan.” She looked back at him. “Call me as soon as you’ve left the Run. It’s okay, you can leave now, if you like.”

“Thank you.” He mockingly inclined his head. “I’m glad I have your permission.”

“That doesn’t even deserve a reply,” she said. “I told you what I wanted to do. I haven’t changed my mind. We’ll talk about it later.” She suddenly said fiercely, “But not too long. I won’t have it. I have to be there for you. We have to be together.” She could feel her eyes sting. “You’ve never understood that that’s the way it should be. You’ve got to learn that.” Then she was turning and running out into the rain. “That’s the way it has to be…”

“Jane!”

She could feel his gaze on her as she ran across the courtyard and then up the steps to the front door.

Then she was inside the hall and leaning against the door, her breath coming in short gasps.

Darkness. Lightning. Thunder.

She reset the door alarm and ran up the grand staircase to the second floor.

A moment later she was in her own room and walking over to the window.

The stable door was closed.

Of course it was. He’d only waited until he knew she was safe inside the castle. Now he was on his way down to the beach to make certain that boat area was safe.

She took off her leather jacket and stood there, gazing out the window.

Gone.