Upon completing their excursion, he would not return to Sean’s holding. He would return to the Gunn keep and his position as guardsman. If his father had his way, he’d be knee-deep in manure. James had gotten such an anomalous feeling all day about his father’s request. He’d been able to disregard it until now. His honor would not allow him to reject his father’s legacy outright. Since his father’s visit, he’d been unable to put it from his mind and regretted not hearing his father’s side of the confrontation.

Never would he see the fair Muriel again unless he visited Sean, which was highly unlikely since he was bound and had a position of esteem within his clan. And if he returned to his father’s lands, he’d rarely see any of the Gunns. Until he returned, there was no sense in ruminating about it. He had to focus on his last night with Muriel and then war.

After waiting for several hours for her to finish her tasks, she finally joined him. The midnight hour had long since passed and the window casement appeared its darkest.

The bed groaned with her weight. Her hands stroked his aching muscles. When her spry fingers pressed his shoulders, he moaned.

“You are quiet this eve. Is there a reason?”

James rolled onto his back, and noticed her serious expression. “Mayhap there is a reason.” As much as he wanted to speak of his intension, her bonny face and exposed breasts distracted him.

“What might this reason be?”

James groaned as her fingers kneaded his sore muscles. “My departure.”

“You’re to leave? So Soon? You’ve only just returned.”

“Aye and when our task is done …” James drew in a deep breath for he expected he’d anger her. “I won’t be returning here.”

“I wish you safe travels then and a joyful life.”

“Aye, you’re irked, as I knew you’d be.” James grunted and squeezed her hand to acknowledge her words. He detested making a woman angered, for there was too much pleasure to be had. And a cross woman was unpredictable. He knew so from experience.

She realized she’d not see him again and regrettably, he didn’t know how to come out and tell her that. This was the end of their wee liaison. He would have had to end it soon regardless of the fact that he was off to war.

“I do mean it, I want you to be content and you’re not here, even if you pretend.” She trailed a finger over his chest and then smoothed her palm over his abdomen.

“I am pleased with you, but aye, you’re right. This is not my home, not where I belong. There is no contentment. I have no sense of purpose here.” James closed his eyes, not willing to sleep though for this was the last night she’d lie in his arms.

“My bed is not purpose enough,” Muriel said quietly. She sat up and glared at him. “Verily, James, I should never have allowed you in my bed. Go then. For you shall rue the day you ever crossed my path.”

“Why are ye angry? You knew I would leave eventually. I never promised anything.” James frowned when he realized she meant those words. Would he rue the day? He already regretted it.

She pressed the tips of her fingers against her forehead. “I did know you would leave, but you don’t have to sound pleased by it.”

“I’m neither displeased nor pleased. You knew what we shared was just a …” He couldn’t continue, when he noticed her eyes scrunched in abhorrence of what he was about to say.

“You should leave now. Be gone.” She flicked her hand at him as if he was nothing but a nuisance.

“I wanted to stay with you on our last night. Will ye deny me the … pleasure?” James should’ve known she’d be spiteful.

Muriel got off the bed and stood naked before him. “Aye, you’ll gain no pleasure from me. Find your pleasure elsewhere. Be gone. And before you go,” she said, waving her hands madly in the air around her. “I will speak these words … . Diligo mos victum quod evinco vos!” She muttered and spoke, but James couldn’t understand her.

“What are you saying?”

“Love will conquer and defeat you. One day you’ll meet a woman who will be what your heart desires, but you shan’t have her. For there will be no love for you, James Gunn.” Muriel laughed in an oddly wicked way, and tugged on a robe, covering up her lovely body.

James lay back, dumbfounded by her words. “Are you hexing me? Aye, I always thought you were a …” He closed his mouth because he didn’t want to cause her affront.

Some women took it as disparaging being called a witch. Who knew what such a woman was capable of? He didn’t want to upset her and had planned an evening far different. All he wanted was to spend his last night pleasuring her and she ruined it.

“I promise ye, James. You will not be content. If I cannot have you then none shall.” She raised her voice and practically shouted at him.

James detested anger in a woman, and that was the last thing he’d hoped to do. “Muriel, I bid you to calm. I never meant to hurt you.”

She scoffed. “I see her. Aye, and if you deem for one moment you will be happy with the woman, you shall be duped. She will cause you nothing but heartache. And then ye shall know what it feels akin to what I feel.”

He got off the bed and tugged on his tunic and tartan. “Who do you see? What are you speaking of?” James couldn’t make sense of her words.

“Her. She will vex ye and I shall care not.”

James reached out to her, but she pulled away. “I don’t know who you speak of, for I am not involved with anyone. I do care a great deal for you, Muriel, but you know we were not destined to be together.”

“Ever since you returned from the north, I sensed it. You would rather be anywhere but here, hence your delay in coming to me. I bid ye farewell then.”

Before he strode toward the door, he touched Muriel’s cheek. “I’m sorry, lovely, for causing your ire. You know that is not my wish. I had duties. That was the only thing that kept me from you. But I do hope you forgive me.” James lifted a tress of her red hair and set it upon her lovely bosom. He didn’t wish for an emotional farewell, but that’s exactly what he got.  “Fare thee well, my bonny lady.”

When James exited the cottage, he bumped into Sean, who had just shouted his name.

Near dawn, his friend spoke with such vigor, loud enough to wake the dead. James muttered a few curses under his breath, for his friend’s lack of manners.

“Cosh! Sean, people are sleeping. You’ll awaken your entire clan with your shouting. How’d you know I’d be here?” James grumbled.

“I figured it out. Aye, you tried to be elusive, my friend, but I saw the way you’d looked at Muriel upon your return. I knew it.” Sean raised a brow. “How long has this been going on? Ah, never mind. We must hasten.” He chuckled loud enough to wake those in the adjacent cottages. “Best get your arse moving. Grey wants to meet when the cocks crow.”

“God Almighty, has he no sense? Just because he likes leaving his bed when it is still dark, doesn’t mean we all do. Why does he want to meet so early?”

James hastily led the way, and shoved Sean’s shoulder irritably when he passed by. His friend had an annoying smirk on his face and that bothered him for he was not cheerful in the morning no matter what time he arose. And this night he hadn’t slept a wink.

“What’d you do that for?”

“For getting me at this God-forsaking hour. I got no sleep, damnation.”

Sean bellowed in laughter. “Nay, none? Damn me, I didn’t deem Muriel had it in her. I’d think she’d allow you at least an hour’s reprieve.”

James found his jest not to his liking and gave him a glare to attest to it. “Do we leave this day? What did Grey say about his meeting with the king?”

Sean took on a quick pace and looked to be avoiding answering him. James unsheathed his sword and pointed it outward, in front of Sean, to stop his friend from moving forward.

“Tell me … What did he say?”

“He said nothing about it. Grey rousted me and my entire household with his yells. He even woke Trudy with his boisterous shouts. I should murder him, for Frances hasn’t been feeling well and I’ve letting her sleep in. Now the wee mite is running around the hall. God I hope she’s pestering Grey, he deserves it. Frances gave him a what-for and I got the hell out of there.”