Chapter Thirty-Seven
Dermot
“Come along, Rut.” The morning had turned out to be far better than last eve. “Isn’t it a beautiful morn?”
“Aye, it is. But Lennox will be looking for me. I should go home.”
“Not yet.” He took her hand and led her along behind him.
“Where the hell are you taking me now? Mayhap I might like to go home. And aren’t you going after your daughter?” She moved along the coastline of Mull, her skirt billowing lightly in the wind, her hair tied into a bun at the base of her neck.
Rut MacVey had proven to be even finer than he would have guessed. But he’d already made his mind up about Sheona. He wasn’t the one his daughter needed right now.
“Nay. I’ve decided to wait three more days, as promised. Then I’ll find her and get the truth. I have to hold to my word. I told her I wouldn’t return for a sennight.”
“But what about the abuse? Don’t you wish to know who or when?”
“Nay. I’ll let her discuss it with the abbess. They don’t need me involved.”
“Then where are we going?” She stopped her forward movement and crossed her arms.
Dermot took two steps back to kiss Rut’s cheek, then held his hand out to her. “Come, I’ll help you. We have to get past these rocks over here.”
“And then where?”
“We’re going on a wee journey. Sheona is on an island of women, and if she were abused, then she’s in the safest place possible. But you and me? We had a pleasant time together last eve, and I’m not ready for it to end. We have a score to settle, and we’re going to settle it now.”
“And where the hell are we going to settle this, Dermot?”
“Look, we started something last eve in MacLane’s cottage.
With all that lightning, it made for a unique time together.
Once wasn’t enough for me,” he said, dropping his voice to a whisper.
“And I doubt it was enough for you, either. Good thing we had the thunder to cover your shouts, lassie.” He grinned from ear to ear.
“Fine, you big bull. It was an entertaining night, but I’d expect more from a chieftain like you.”
“And you’ll get more, my sweet, but not here.”
She scowled at him. “Then where are we going?”
“On the boat. The one that is awaiting us. If you don’t get on, I’ll throw you on.”
She yanked her hand back as soon as they crossed the rocks onto the sand. “No one tells me what to do.”
Dermot picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, her bottom sticking up in the air.
Rut let out a scream, then bellowed, “Set me down, you old curmudgeon! Now. Right this moment. Let me go, you wicked beast.”
Dermot laughed all the way as he carried her onto the large vessel. He then shouted to the captain as soon as they were safely on board, “Move out!”
Dermot set Rut down and she promptly slapped him. “I’m getting off this boat.”
“Nay, you aren’t, unless you like to swim.”
She glanced over the railing of the galley ship at all the oars sticking out of the sides as the vessel glided into the sea. The captain shouted to her, “Is there a problem?”
Rut glared at Dermot and said, “Nay, I’m fine.”
Dermot smirked. The woman did love to put on a show, and it was always guaranteed to be one worth watching. He drawled, “Don’t want to swim?”
Rut slapped him again.