“I’m fine, Alex, truly. Especially now.” She didn’t want him going anywhere—and certainly not to take on Sir Hugh Despenser and whatever remained of King Edward’s army. From what she’d been able to gather, Lachlan and a few other Guardsmen had caught up with Alex after failing to track down King Edward before he’d reached the safety of Dunbar Castle, where he’d found temporary refuge with one of the few remaining loyal Scotsmen, Patrick, Earl of Dunbar. King Edward and the men who’d seen him to safety—including Despenser and the Earl of Pembroke—had reportedly left Dunbar for Berwick by sea and were probably not far behind them. None of which would explain why Lachlan was so angry. “What objection does he have, then?”

With a snap of the reins, the palfrey moved forward. “To the wedding.”

Joan froze, but her heart was beating fast. Very fast. “What wedding?”

“Ours.”

That fast heartbeat went still. “And when is this wedding to take place?”

“Before the sun sets on another day, because the next time I go to bed you will be beside me.”

In case she hadn’t gotten his meaning—which she had—the arm wrapped around her waist just under her breasts pulled her in a little tighter, and he slid her bottom back in the saddle. Aye, there was no mistaking that meaning—she could feel every inch of his meaning riding hard and solid against her.

Good God, could he . . . like this?

She wasn’t frozen anymore. Her skin was suddenly warm. But she forced all the shivering and quivering aside and straightened her back to give him a sidelong reproachful frown. “Haven’t you forgotten something?”

“We don’t need to say the banns. I secured a dispensation from the Abbot of Inchaffray before I left Stirling.”

She lifted a brow. He was quite certain of himself, wasn’t he? “How thoughtful of you, but I was referring to me. Do I not have a say in all of this?”

“No.”

“Alex!” she exclaimed, turning fully around this time.

He shrugged. “It’s your fault. You wanted a brigand, now you have to deal with it.”

His smile took away most of her outrage. Most. She gave him a long look. “I think I like you better with the shiny mail.”

He laughed and pressed a kiss on the top of her head. “No more bossing around after this, I promise. I’m done switching sides. I’m right where I belong.”

Her heart squeezed, hearing the bigger promise. He was hers forever. “I’m glad to hear it,” she said softly.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “You were right.”

She shuddered. And not just from the warmth of his breath against her skin. The hand tucked under her breast had taken the opportunity to roam under her cloak, and his fingers were caressing little circles in sensitive places. Very sensitive places.