Free Stolen Vows by Stephanie Sterling

broke away.  She retreated over to the other side of the bench, her cheeks reddening.  He opened his mouth to apologize, but then thought better of it. He wasn’t sorry that he’d kissed her. He intended to do a damn sight more than kiss her before very much longer. Isla could just start getting used to that fact , he thought grumpily, stung by the way she had recoiled when she woke.
     
    “We’re here,” he said gruffly. 
     
    Roan stepped down and offered his arm to Isla, pleased when his wife took it without hesitation and followed him into the Three Oaks.  The landlord of the establishment greeted them cordially, and showed them through to one of the private back rooms where they would be served a simply, but hearty meal while their things were carried up to the best room that the inn had to offer.
     
    “This is the furthest from home I’ve ever been,” Isla said in a thoughtful voice.  It was the first time she’d spoken since leaving the carriage, bar a polite word to the landlord.
     
    Roan looked up from his bowl of stew and dumplings and automatically reached for his wife’s hand.  He gave it an encouraging squeeze and was heartened when she didn’t pull it away.  He let his large hand rest there, tenderly covering her own.
     
    “And how are ye holding up?” he asked carefully.
     
    Isla licked her lips while she considered her answer.  Roan found himself watching the tip of tongue with rather too much attention.  It caused a quickening in his body that he tried desperately to ignore.
     
    “Better than I thought I might,” she said eventually, offering Roan a small smile before turning back to her own meal.
     
    She is quite something , Roan decided, smiling to himself as he watched Isla as she tucked into her food hungrily.  She was beautiful of course, but she was also incredible brave, smart - and perhaps just a little bit reckless, he decided, his smile widening.  She was still wary of him at the moment. Given what had happened with Tavish, Roan couldn’t really blame her. Once she learned to trust him, Roan saw no reason why they couldn’t make the most of their marriage. 
     
    Attraction and a certain level of compatibility were the only qualities that he’d ever thought to look for in a wife.  Love had never entered into the equation.  The edges of his lips twitched up as he considered his situation.  Roan was able to be more objective and cheerful now that he was headed for home. He might turn out to be quite content with Isla as his wife.
     
    Isla quirked her head and observed him curiously. “Why are ye smiling?” she asked.
     
    “I’m happy,” Roan chuckled. He was surprised to realize that it was true.
     
    ..ooOOoo..
     
    He was happy?  How could he possibly be happy?   The questions had been turning themselves over and over in Isla’s mind ever since Roan had made the announcement at supper.  It was now a couple of hours later, and she was in their room, a small but very cozy space, getting ready for bed.
     
    Her husband had gone out to the stables to see to his prized horse.  He’d mentioned that he was thinking about riding Fiadhiach for the next part of their journey.  Isla couldn’t say that she wanted him to; it had been pleasant sharing the wagon ride with Roan, and she certainly didn’t want to arrive at Erchlochy Castle alone , but she didn’t know how to ask him to travel with her without sounding ridiculous.
     
    But he was happy .  Isla sat down in her nightdress and dressing gown in front of the roaring fire and picked up a book that she had no intention of reading, waiting for her husband’s return.  He was happy, and he had kissed her again .  Isla pressed her fingers to her lips and smiled softly, tingling at the pleasant memory.  Perhaps she did please him, or could; there certainly seemed to be things about her that he liked, didn’t there?
     
    She was started to realize that there was a lot about Roan that she