Ill be there shortly, Zia said.

Take your time. Hes been resting comfortably and I have some potions to blend. Bethane walked out leaving the open door as it was so that the late summer air could drift throughout the cottage. Nessie as usual trailed after her.

I meant no insult to you or your grandmother, Artair said.

Her fingers danced slowly up his arm this time. We know that, for if you did you wouldnt be sitting here right now.

He grabbed hold of her seductively wandering fingers. They were doing much too much damage to his senses, and if he didnt stop her soon, he wouldnt be able to think straight.

Where would I be?

Where I really dont want you to go yet, she said softly.

Where is that?

On your way home.

You like me. He grinned and tapped her nose.

Thats obvious, but you feel the same, she said bluntly.

I do, and have no problem admitting it.

So you will stay here for a while? she asked excitedly.

I was hoping you might return to my home with me and meet my family and tend to Honora, my brother Cavans wife who is with child. If you recall, I told you she wasnt feeling well.

She hesitated, and he thought he knew why. She had obligations here, and yet, Honora was in need of a healer.

Thats not the only reason why I want you to return home with me, he said, wanting to be truthful with her. I feel we would do well together.

That brought a bright smile to her face.

I believe, given time, getting to know each other more, we would realize that we make a good match.

Her eyes widened. Match?

It takes a good match for a marriage to work.

Marriage?

Why did he feel like he had just jumped into a river and found he couldnt swim?

What of love?

How did he know she was going to ask that, and why hadnt he realized it sooner? He attempted diplomacy. Love develops along the way.

What if it doesnt?

She didnt challenge; she actually sounded anxious.

What then? Without love, a marriage is doomed.

I dont believe wed have that problem, he a.s.sured her, for he felt confident they would indeed make a good match.

We barely know each other, Zia reminded him. Pa.s.sion sparks in both our eyes, and I daresay our bodies as well. But is it the pa.s.sion of love or simply l.u.s.t?

This time he was blunt. I wont deny I feel l.u.s.t when Im with you.

That brought a huge grin to her face.

But I also enjoy your company. I want to spend time with you. I look forward to it, even if I must collect plants to do it.

Zia laughed. It is good to know it is not beneath a warrior to stoop to collecting plants.

He grinned. Ill stoop anytime you want me to.

She laughed again, though softly, and moved closer to him. What you tell me is that you are willing to do what is necessary"

To make this work, he finished.

I dont want to make it work. I want to fall in love.

He threaded his fingers with hers. In time love will come.

She eased away from him. Then we will give it time.

How much time? he asked.

As much time as it takes. She bounced out of the chair. I must tend to my ch.o.r.es now.

Artair wasnt going to let her escape that easily. He caught her before she could race out the door and wrapped his arms around her.

I can be reasonably patient.

That is good, for you will need it.

Will I, now? he asked, and with a wicked grin stole a wicked kiss.

He felt her arms go around him and her fingers trail up his back to grasp the top of his shoulders. He crushed her against him, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressing hard into his chest, her taut nipples poking even harder and making him grow hard.

The gentle sway of her hips against him nearly did him in, and he knew he had to end the salacious kiss or there might be no stopping either of them. He eased them apart, his body almost rebelling when he saw how plump and ripe her lips were from their kiss, and the way her nipples remained taut beneath her blouse.

At the moment, they were both full of l.u.s.t.

He took her hand and led her outside into the sunlight. She blinked several times as if waking herself, looked around surprised, then smiled at him.

You dont trust yourself, she teased.

You are absolutely right.

She chuckled. That is good to know.

d.a.m.n, I gave away a secret, he said playfully.

See, I told you I could get secrets out of you without being nice.

I could be more vigilant, though I like it when youre not nice.

She tapped him on the chest, turned, and with a provocative sway of her hips said, Ahh, but what about reason?

Her lighthearted barb made him laugh, and made him think that he might not be as patient as he first thought. They suited each other and he could offer her protection. Only the very foolish would dare accuse a Sinclare bride of witchcraft.

He would get her to return home with him, and once she did, it would be easy to convince her to remain and become his wife. He felt pleased with himself as he turned and walked away. His trip might not have been successful in finding his brother, but he had discovered that Ronan was still alive, and that would give the family hope. And he had found an appropriate woman to take as a wife. All in all, it was a good trip.

He would return with good news about Ronan, and do it with his bride-to-be.

Zia and her grandmother sat in wooden chairs outside the cottage door, quenching their thirst with cider. It had been a hectic morning. Several villagers had arrived with various complaints, and two of them needed st.i.tches to close deep wounds. The barbarian also demanded attention, asking endless questions as Zia changed his bandages.

I think he will remain with us, Bethane said, resting her head back against the rim of the chair. Nessie curled comfortably beside her.

Zia hesitated briefly. Hes already asked me to go with him.

Bethane smiled at her granddaughter. I wasnt speaking of Artair.

Zia returned the smile and nodded. I agree the barbarian will choose to stay here.

But Artair will not.

Zia sighed. He told me that his brother Cavans wife is with child and not well, that she could use my skill.

He knows you will not refuse to help someone in need, Bethane said with a nod. But there is more, I think.

He believes us well suited and thinks we would make a good match. Zia stood, leaving the empty tankard on the chair, and paced in front of Bethane. He talks of marriage when we barely know each other. He says in time love will develop. She stopped pacing and stood starring into the distance.

Bethane waited.

Zia finally turned around. It is a practical decision for him. It has nothing to do with love, and it is too soon to tell whether its just a pa.s.sing attraction or something more. She threw her hands up in the air. What do I do?

Let it be. Time will handle it for you.

Do I go with him?

I think you have already decided that, Bethane said.

If his sister-in-law does need help and I dont go, Id never forgive myself.

Bethane eased herself out of the chair. I think if you dont go and see how things develop between you and Artair, you would never forgive yourself.

Zia hurried to her grandmothers side. But you need me here.

There are many good healers here. We will survive in your absence, Bethane a.s.sured her.

Then you believe I should go?

Bethane shook her head. I cannot nor will I decide for you. The choice must be yours and yours alone.

Part of me wants to go, and part of me Zia sighed.

Part of you fears going, Bethane said.

Zia bobbed her head. Yes, yes, but why? Ive always faced my fears with courage. What makes this different?

Love. Love makes all the difference.

What if"

Bethane placed a gentle finger to Zias lips. Let it be, just let it be.

Artair knew he had a problem as soon as he saw James present a bouquet of flowers to a woman and she responded with a bright smile. That James had picked the flowers was amazing in itself, but that he had washed up and made himself presentable was even more amazing.

James was first and foremost a warrior. But at the moment he looked more like a besotted fool, which made Artair smile, and worry.

The woman, short and plump and oh so pretty, smiled at James as if he were the handsomest of men. He had never seen a woman look at James with such adoration.

I think Mave fancies James.

Artair smiled as Zia hooked her arm with his.

They look to suit each other, he said.

She smirked and shook her head. Take a closer look. Id call that love.

They only met.

Just met or not, just look at them.

He looked at the couple again and had to admit that it wasnt l.u.s.t he saw in their eyes, but a sparkle that he couldnt quite define, though it made him smile.

You see it, she said with an excited tug to his arm.

I admit I see something. Actually, he couldnt believe his eyes. James was most attentive to the young woman and it seemed he couldnt help but smile. In fact, James rarely smiled, and when he did, it was a short burst that pa.s.sed quickly.

The poor man is completely love-struck.

Artair cringed, and joked, Shes given him a love potion.

Mave hasnt asked for a love potion.