Kennan walked the horse along the south shore of Loch Morar while the moonlight glistened off the rippling waves. “You ought to close your eyes, lass.”

She looked up and met his gaze. Even in the dark his eyes sparkled with kindness. “It wouldn’t be fair of me to sleep.”

“We still have a long journey ahead.”

“How far do ye reckon?”

He inclined his head, his silky beard brushing her forehead. “Just yonder is the inlet—from there we follow the glen until we reach Loch Arkaig—Cameron lands.”

“Then we’re nearly there?”

“Och, my kin’s lands are vast. Achnacarry sits beyond on the River Arkaig. We’ll not arrive afore midmorning for certain.”

“I don’t mind.” She shifted her seat a bit, nestling between Kennan’s powerful thighs. A contented sigh slipped through her lips. “Ye’re warm enough to be a brazier.”

“I’m happy to hear your ladyship approves.”

“Ladyship?”

“I’m teasing.”

“Your mother is a lady, is she not?”

“She was. My stepmother is Lady Lochiel now.”

Divana pursed her lips, feeling like a heel. “Sorry.”

She fidgeted with the horse’s mane while an unpleasant pause swelled through the air. There was one she’d yearned to discuss for sennights. Her mouth grew dry as she ran her trembling fingers through the horse’s mane.

I need to stop fidgeting and just have out with it.

“And when ye wed, your wife will be a lady as well?” There. She’d said what needed to be said. But why did she want to leap off the pony and run to the hills?

“If I ever marry, she will be,” the man said matter-of-factly, as if they weren’t talking about the most important decision of his life.

She flipped the mane hairs to and fro. “Do ye want to marry?”

“I haven’t given it much thought, aside from the fact I’m expected to choose a bride one day to carry on with the Cameron line.”

Divana licked her lips and dared to look at his mouth. Aye, before they mounted the horse, she’d risked all by kissing him. And though she’d said it was for luck, there was no mistaking the charged energy between them. If only he’d see fit to kiss her—really kiss her on the mouth without an excuse. “But ye do not want to?”

“Grave matters have taken precedence at the moment. A wife brings a great deal of responsibility. Something which I am not at liberty to give.”

“I wouldn’t reckon she’d be much trouble at all. I think a wife ought to be a help to her husband, nay hinder him.” Smiling, Divana closed her eyes and pictured herself in a garden of roses. Lady Divana. Then she jolted and sat straight.

“What is it?”

She rapidly shook her head. “Nothing.”

Kennan’s arms tightened around her. “Did you see something?”

“Nay, I just had a bad thought is all.” It was a glorious, wonderful thought and one she should never again entertain. But still, now that she’d spent so much time with Sir Kennan, it was hard to imagine not being with him for the rest of her days.