“It appears that we will have a guest shortly,” Ruari said and Erik looked back over his shoulder in surprise. But his companion spoke aright: Padraig rowed toward the shore once more, a smaller familiar figure in the boat with him.
The glint of the dawn on that tangle of auburn hair only confirmed the identity of the woman who drew ever nearer. Vivienne must have been watching him, for she waved gaily as soon as Erik’s gaze landed upon her.
As if he should be gladdened to see her.
As if it had been but an oversight that he had left her behind.
Erik swore with rare vigor.
Ruari laughed, which was little consolation indeed. “There is no trouble so fearsome as that of a beauteous woman,” that man said. “Unless, of course, it is a beauteous and stubborn woman.”
Erik had no reply for tha
