She noticed the others were not gawking at her and she was grateful. She wasn't about to look at them either. She learned a long time ago that eye contact with a man made him believe she was interested. She did look at Blair twice, but he didn't look back. At last, he lifted her onto his horse, swung up behind her and was touching her again.
He waited for her to settle herself with her back against him, raised his hand to signal they were ready, put it down, and then slipped his arm around her waist. They began to move and he would have been happy walking his horse all the way back, but his men might think that strange, so he encouraged his horse to gallop. He noticed she had a tighter grip and tightened his in response. Then as soon as she felt more secure with the rhythm of the horse, he felt her relax. Soon she began to stroke his arm with her thumb. He thought it would drive him mad, but he didn't want her to stop. She was telling him how she felt and he was elated. She did love him.
They crossed the last of the Cameron land before noon. Blair knew the MacGreagors would spot them and wondered if Kevin would send his own guard or let the Cameron's bring her in. He wanted to be with her for as long as possible.
Another two hours passed before Blair slowed his horse and walked him up the hill. At the top he stopped. Below was the forest, the meadow and the sprawling village inside the wall of the MacGreagor hold. Kevin had not sent a guard and he was pleased. He turned to Dugan, "Wait here."
Charlet sighed when they were down the hill and heading into the forest. She waited until she was sure no one would see and then she started to turn her body toward him. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and feel his around her again. She didn't notice when he stopped the horse or helped her turn in his arms, but suddenly his lips were on hers and she was lost in the glory of it. She wove her fingers through the back of his hair and held his head tight so he wouldn't stop.
He wanted to kiss her forever, but she was holding on so tight it frightened him. Was she saying goodbye? She loved him, how could he doubt it? But she wouldn't be the first woman to love one man and marry another. He finally managed to pull away. "Do you intend to marry me?"