He chuckled. “A man can earn his fortune if all the stars align. But there’s nothing like a spray of salt water in your face whilst you’re battling a wicked tempest, fighting to keep your ship afloat and your crew alive.”

“Goodness, that sounds frightening.” She shivered a bit. “Mayhap exciting as well.”

“It certainly isn’t boring. There’s always something to do aboard a ship, even when there’s no wind.”

As they reached the clearing, Kennan reined his horse to a halt. “Here we are.”

Divana stopped beside him, smiling as if she hadn’t a care, her gaze shifting to take in the beauty of the green canopy of weeping willows and the carpet of bluebells. “I already love it here. ’Tis peaceful.”

He hopped down from his mount, then held up his right hand. “Allow me to help you alight.”

“But ye’re still injured.”

“Only one shoulder is sore.” He beckoned with his fingers. “Now come, lass, we haven’t all day.”

As she placed a hand on his right shoulder, he clutched her waist and slowly let her slide down his body. The curve of Divana’s hip molded to him as though she was meant to be there. The wind picked up her hair, whipping silken tresses around his neck and across his nose, the feminine fragrance enough to tame a wild beast. But what melted his heart was the way she smiled at him—as if he were the only man in the world. He adored her smile, especially when the sun sparkled in her lovely blue eyes.

“The color of a shallow sea,” he whispered while he lowered her to the ground ever so slowly.

Her tiny gasp brought with it an internal storm of lust he intensely craved to act upon. Her lids lowered as she shifted her gaze to his lips, and a pink tongue slipped out, tempting him. “I do not suppose me riding lesson will end up like Beltane?”

“Beltane?”

She swiped her fingers across her mouth. “Ye ken. Do not make me say it.”

The kiss. His muscles tensed. She’d been the one to back away. But why? “Of course not.”

As Kennan released her waist, a flash of disappointment crossed her face. She skittered back and brushed out her skirts. “I’ll fetch the satchel.”

Confounded, Kennan untied the plaid from the back of his saddle. Did she want to kiss him or not? According to his father, the woman had spent the three days he was unconscious standing over him like a mother hen. What was it between them?