Chapter Ten
Before Colin opened his eyes the next morning, he took a minute to remember what it had been like to finally be with Patrick completely. As he relived it in his mind, his morning hardness strained against his trousers, longing to be touched.
He could hear the sounds of Emily stirring, so Colin quickly got up and ducked into a thick stand of trees nearby. Taking himself in hand, he leaned against the smooth trunk of a gum tree and brought himself to completion, eyes closed as he remembered the feel of Patrick moving inside him.
Colin’s ass was tender, but the soreness delighted him. He supposed it was silly, but he felt as if he was a true man now. That he’d crossed a threshold in his mind by the actions of his body.
When Patrick arrived back at camp, Colin bid him good morning as usual and watched him closely, waiting for…something. However, to Patrick it was evidently a day like any other. He grunted a greeting to Colin, Robbie, and Emily and silently drank a steaming cup of coffee.
Colin’s heart sank. Perhaps what they’d shared hadn’t meant anything to Patrick after all. Yet he’d been so tender. Loving, even. When he’d kissed Colin on the hilltop—really kissed him—Colin was sure he’d felt a surrender between them. To say nothing of what had come later.
But in the morning’s light, Patrick didn’t seem the slightest bit affected. The four of them packed up as usual, and Colin tried to act like nothing was wrong. He failed, evidently. As he tightened the saddle on Mission, Emily approached.
She peered at him for a moment. “Are you feeling well this morning?”
Colin attempted a pleasant expression. “Yes, fine. Thank you.”
Emily seemed unconvinced but didn’t press. Colin mounted his horse and winced as he settled down on his backside. It would be a very long day. He squirmed, trying to find a comfortable angle. Looking up, he found Patrick watching from his horse some yards away. Patrick’s lips twitched into a secret smile, and Colin’s heart skipped a beat. He found himself smiling back, and suddenly it seemed as if the day wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Although his ass ached even more by the time they stopped for lunch, Colin’s good spirits remained. That morning, they had made their way around the rocky hill and moved across rolling land peppered with forests. As they traveled northwest, it became drier, the earth redder.
They stopped by a stream to rest the animals, and Robbie disappeared into the woods to hunt game for supper. Emily dished out remainders from the stew the night before, along with some nuts and plum-like fruit she’d picked the day before. She took her lunch and sat against a tree with a book. She wore a yellow dress that set off the gold in her hair perfectly, and seemed quite content. Colin was very glad to see her in better spirits.
After eating silently, Patrick caught Colin’s gaze and gave a little nod of his head toward the stream. Colin followed him down the sloping embankment. With a last glance over his shoulder, Patrick knelt on the grass by the edge of the water. Colin did the same and realized they were low enough below the gentle slope that Emily couldn’t see them if she happened to look up from her book.
Patrick patted Colin’s bottom playfully. “How are you feeling today, Lord?”
Colin grumbled about the hated nickname. “Feels as though you’ll never get another crack if you don’t stop calling me that.”
Patrick laughed and drew him close for a kiss, caressing Colin’s buttocks lightly. There was no fire or hurry in their touch, but a sweetness that Colin drank in like honey. He explored Patrick’s mouth with his tongue, lightly sweeping over his teeth and stroking Patrick’s tongue.
Too soon, they heard a gunshot signaling Robbie’s imminent return with supper in hand, and broke apart reluctantly. The day continued in a familiar routine, and Colin eagerly anticipated nightfall and the chance to perhaps be alone with Patrick again.
The first sign of trouble was a sound of distress that jolted Colin from his reverie. The noise was followed by another low call of terror from one of the cattle, and then drowned out by a thunder of hooves so loud Colin could feel the vibrations in his bones.
He hadn’t known cattle could move so quickly, but they roared across the land. He could see Robbie gallop ahead to try and steer them away from Emily and the wagon. Colin wasn’t sure what to do, and he spurred Mission on, his heart pounding.
In the distance rose a steep, jagged hill, and Colin realized Robbie was trying to angle the herd toward it. Patrick rode up alongside Colin, and without a word, they joined Robbie and pulled out their whips, driving the cattle closer to the rocky barrier.
Colin hated using the whip but knew it was for the animals’ own good. Robbie had told him that stampeding cows were known to careen off cliffs or break their legs on uneven terrain. Gripping the reins with his left hand, Colin galloped alongside the stampeding herd. The din was overwhelming, and his breath came in short pants as his whip cracked through the air. Excitement and fear mingled, coursing through him.
The hill loomed closer, and to his immense relief, the cattle in the lead slid to a halt, forcing the others to follow suit. They mooed stridently, stepping to and fro, restless and keyed up. But they stayed put for the most part and seemed largely uninjured. Colin took a deep breath and blew it out, relieved.
Just then, a younger cow darted away from the pack, and Colin wheeled about, his pulse racing anew. In pursuit, he reached for his rope and swung it over his head with his right arm.
His first toss landed uselessly on the cow’s rump. Colin cursed and yanked the rope back to try again. His second attempt missed the cow’s head by inches, and Colin dug his heels into Mission’s flanks to spur him on that much faster.
Colin swung the rope for a third time. His breath lodged in his throat as the rope sailed out, uncoiling in the air, seemingly suspended in time. Then it landed perfectly over the cow’s head. A cry of victory erupted from him, and he tugged the rope and brought Mission to a stop.
His chest rising and falling with the exertion and excitement, Colin lifted his hat to wipe the sweat from his forehead. He drew the cow near and reached down to pat it gently, hoping to calm it. When the animal seemed less skittish, Colin trotted back to the herd with it in tow.
As he approached, Robbie tipped his hat. “Well done!”
“Thank you.” Colin glowed with pride. He felt strong and capable in a way that was new to him. Patrick was tending to a cow a short distance away from the herd. Cattle shuffled discontentedly from time to time, but overall the animals were much calmer. Colin rode over to Patrick, who was stroking the injured cow soothingly as he gently poked and prodded. “Is it hurt?”
Patrick glanced up from examining one of the animal’s bloody legs. “A bit cut and bruised, but she should be fine. Tracked down the runaway, eh?”
Colin grinned. “Yes. Roped it and all. Never thought I’d be able to do it.”
“When you put your mind to something, it seems you’re capable of many things, Lord.” Patrick winked.
The wagon rumbled up, and Emily jumped down, her face etched in concern. “Is everyone all right?”
Robbie took off his hat and began fiddling with it, flipping it around with one hand. “Yes, ma’am. How’re you faring?”
She tucked an errant hair behind her ear. “Fine, fine. What on earth happened to startle them so?”
Robbie shrugged. “One of them got spooked by something. Might have been a snake or some other nasty critter. Hard to say, but once they get riled up, it’s hard to stop ’em.”
Emily looked at all three of them with admiration. “Well, you all handled it quite ably. Thank you.”
“Hope you weren’t too frightened, ma’am.” Robbie spun his hat back onto his head.
“No. I knew you’d come through. After all, you’re the best, are you not?” She smiled as she quoted his boast from the first day.
Robbie kicked a rock with the toe of his worn boot, and Colin could swear he was blushing. Robbie cleared his throat. “We’ll stay here for the night. Let ’em get a good night’s rest. It’ll be a boon for all of us, I reckon.”
Colin volunteered to accompany Robbie to the closest water source, a creek a couple of miles back. They cantered over a flat plain, and Colin enjoyed riding without having to mind the herd. As they neared the stream, they slowed their horses to a walk.
“You’ve taken to the saddle like a duck to water. Reckon you’ll make a fine stockman,” Robbie said.
“You really think so?” Colin beamed. He liked Robbie very much and found his approval meant a great deal.
“Truly.” After a moment, he went on. “The way I see it, you don’t deserve to be a prisoner. I’ve met plenty in my time, and you’re not like any of ’em. Even my mum’s a rougher sort than you.” He chuckled.
Perplexed, Colin asked, “Your mother?”
“Came over on a ship about…well, I’m twenty-one, so it would have been twenty-two years ago or so.”
“She was a convict?”
Robbie seemed blithely unconcerned. “Oh yeah. A woman of ‘loose morals,’ they called her. She did what she needed to survive. Her parents died when she was sixteen, and then she was on ’er own.”
“How old was she when she was brought here?”
Robbie pondered for a moment. “Twenty-three. My dad picked her out of a line, and they were married not too long after.”
“He picked her?”
“Not enough women here in the colony, so if a ship comes with any female prisoners, they dress ’em up and parade ’em out so the government officials can take their pick. If they ain’t pretty enough, they get sent to the female factories. Do the laundry and other womanly tasks.”
Colin had never considered that female prisoners were sent to the colony, as there had been none on his ship. “And if they’re chosen by an official, are they released from serving their sentences?”
“If they marry. My mum got hitched to my dad right quick and had me so she could get her walking papers. Some of the officials use the women as whores an’ never marry ’em. When they’re used up, it’s back to the factories.”
“Are they happy? Your parents?”
They reached the water, and Robbie hopped off his horse and shrugged. “Get along fine, I suppose. She keeps the house and takes care of the rest of the kids. Got two brothers and a sister. I left home when I was fifteen to start work with the cattle. Don’t see them but a few times a year, if that.”
Colin slid off Mission’s back and gave him a pat. “It doesn’t bother anyone? That she was a convict?”
“Nah. Like I said, not enough women here. Can’t be choosy.”
“Too bad I’m not a woman, then,” Colin joked.
Robbie laughed. “But then you wouldn’t be out here chasing down runaway cattle. Darn sight more exciting, I reckon.”
“That it is.” Colin grew serious. “And it truly doesn’t bother you? What I am? Who I am?”
Robbie knelt by the water and filled a container. “Thought it might at first, but you’re both good blokes. Hard workers. Dependable. Out here you’ve got to rely on each other. Without your mates, you’re done for.”
“Mates.” Colin liked the sound of that. He joined Robbie at the water’s edge and filled one of their canteens.
“That’s right. And honestly, you don’t seem any different from the rest of us folks. Not that I see the appeal in it myself. Women are just…” His expression grew almost comically moony. “They’re the best of God’s creatures, from what I can tell.”
“Any woman in particular?”
“Nah. Like I said, hard to find many here.”
Emily came to mind, but Colin said nothing. “I’m sure you’ll find a wonderful wife someday.”
“You think?” Robbie grinned, pleased. “Well, I certainly don’t have to worry about you or Patrick looking sideways in the meantime.”
“No! Of course not. We wouldn’t.” Colin flushed.
Laughing, Robbie filled another container. “I know. You two only have eyes for each other.”
“I…p-pardon? That’s not… W-what I mean is, you’re imagining things,” Colin stammered.
“Right. If you say so.” He shook his head, smiling. “You’re mad for each other.”
Colin knew he should argue. Buggery was no more legal in the colony than it was in England. But out in the wild, an eternity from civilization, it seemed silly to lie. “You really think so? About Patrick, I mean.”
“It’s plain as day.” Robbie clapped Colin on the shoulder and went about filling the rest of his containers. Colin filled his, and they worked companionably. Robbie whistled a jolly tune, and even though he didn’t quite know the song, Colin joined in anyway.
Two days later, Colin noticed the land had begun to flatten out and grow drier, the earth a more pronounced shade of red. There were still some hills and greenery, but it was less lush as they moved farther inland.
As they drove the herd across a large plain, clouds of dust appeared in the distance. Robbie seemed troubled. “Riders.”
Sure enough, a group of men on horseback soon came into focus and were headed toward them. Emily stopped the wagon, and after Colin, Robbie, and Patrick settled the herd, they rode up to where Emily waited. The riders hadn’t arrived yet, but would in less than a minute, Colin imagined.
“Who do you think they are?” Emily stood by the wagon, and Colin noted a rifle on her seat. He hadn’t known she owned a weapon.
“Do you think they might be from the government? Coming to check on me and Patrick?” Colin asked.
Robbie gave him a strange look. “Check on you? Out here? Don’t think so.”
“But that was the arrangement, wasn’t it?” Patrick spoke up. “Although it does seem unlikely given the size of this land. Can’t quite imagine the breadth of it until you see for yourself.”
“I’m sure it won’t be until we’re situated on the station,” Emily said dismissively.
“But—”
Emily cut Robbie off. “Back to the matter at hand. Who do you think these men are?”
“Reckon it’s Matthew Barnes. He was the first landowner to come this far northwest. Your husband secured the land past Barnes’. Don’t fancy he’s too happy about that, ma’am.”
Colin and Patrick exchanged a wary glance. Emily gazed out at the riders. “Do you think they mean us harm?”
Robbie weighed his words carefully. “Probably not. We’re on his land, so I expect they’re coming to warn us off poaching from his herd. Let us know they’re watching.”
“On his land? Why didn’t we go around?” Emily exclaimed.
“It’s over a hundred thousand acres, ma’am. Would be a bloody long way around. Pardon my language.”
The vastness of the properties was something Colin still couldn’t quite wrap his head around. The riders arrived, and Colin, Patrick, Robbie, and Emily stood shoulder to shoulder, a united front, as the men dismounted. Colin’s stomach had twisted into a knot.
“Good day.” The man who was clearly the leader stepped forward, smiling. He was older, around sixty or so, and he lifted his leather hat to reveal cropped silver hair. Yet despite his age, he had a virility about him and gave off the impression of coiled power, waiting to strike. His friendly facade only made Colin’s stomach churn even more.
Patrick spoke up. “Hello.”
The man zeroed in on Patrick. “I’m Matthew Barnes, as you might have guessed. One of my boys spotted your little caravan out on his rounds.” Barnes made an imitation of a laugh. “Lazy sods haven’t finished the fence yet. Don’t know what’s takin’ them so long, except maybe that I own half the territory.”
The men chuckled dutifully, and Barnes extended his hand to Patrick. “Mr. Grant, I presume?”
Before Patrick could respond, Emily stepped forward and extended her own hand. “Mr. Grant is dead. I’m Mrs. Grant.”
Barnes’s eyebrows lifted for a moment before his face settled into a mask of sympathy. “I’m so terribly sorry for your loss, my dear.” He took Emily’s hand between both of his and patted gently. “It’s a cruel world, isn’t it?”
His men murmured their agreement. Colin suspected they’d agree with Barnes should he state the sky was green.
Emily removed her hand from his grasp. “Thank you, Mr. Barnes. I apologize for trespassing on your land, but it was an awful long way to go around.” She smiled winningly.
Barnes returned her sunny expression, but Colin didn’t believe him for a moment. “It’s no bother at all, Mrs. Grant. As I said, I do own quite a large part of New South Wales. It would be my honor to show you around the place, my dear.”
Emily was the very picture of a genteel lady. “That would be a delight, Mr. Barnes. Unfortunately, we truly do have to be moving on.”
“Oh, of course. I know the challenges of herding cattle, that’s for certain. I own ten thousand head myself. But my homestead is right on your way, I do believe. About twenty miles northward. Why don’t you stop in for lunch tomorrow? I can send one of the boys to fetch you in my wife’s carriage.”
Colin certainly didn’t like the idea of Emily going anywhere alone with Barnes, and he, Patrick, and Robbie all started to speak at the same time. Emily was quicker, however. “What a lovely offer! It would be my pleasure to join you and your wife for a meal. But there’s no need to send the carriage. I’ll make my own way.”
“Whatever the lady desires. Say one o’clock?”
“I look forward to it very much.” Emily smiled again, all feminine charm.
Barnes and his men doffed their hats to her and returned to their horses, completely ignoring Colin, Patrick, and Robbie. As the men rode off, churning up a cloud of dust, Robbie shook his head. “Don’t like him one bit, ma’am. You’re not going alone.”
Patrick spoke up. “Clearly a snake, that one.”
Colin was in complete agreement. “Mrs. Grant, you shouldn’t go. At least let us come with you.”
Emily sighed, exasperated. “Gentlemen, I’m not going alone. Robert will come with me. You two will guard the herd. I don’t trust him either.”
“Oh. Well that sounds all right, I reckon.” Robbie clapped his hands together. “Better get back to it.”
Late the next morning, Robbie rode ahead to scout the location of Barnes’s house. He returned and conferred with Emily, and they led the herd to a grassy spot near a shallow river. There were clumps of trees about, and the cattle grazed contentedly.
When Emily climbed from the back of the wagon, all three men stared, unable to mask their surprise. Colin had expected her to be outfitted in a fancy dress, but instead she wore men’s clothing. Rather than her usual wide-brimmed sunbonnet, her hair was tucked up beneath an oiled leather hat. Her canvas trousers were cinched tightly with a knotted belt, and a too-big shirt was tucked in.
She seemed to be waiting for one of them to speak. “Do I look that ridiculous?”
Colin found his voice first. “No, no. Not at all, Mrs. Grant.”
“They were Stephen’s. I know they’re too large, but I want to show that man that I’m not…”
“Easy prey?” Patrick suggested.
“Yes. Exactly.” Emily looked to Robbie. “What do you think, Robert? Should I wear a dress?”
Robbie snapped out of his daze. “No, ma’am. I think you look…just right.”
“Excellent. Colin, Patrick, you stay here and make sure the herd is protected. I can’t imagine Barnes would have any need for my cattle, but I suppose stranger things have happened. My rifle’s under the seat in the wagon. I’m sure you won’t need it, but just in case.”
Patrick was disbelieving. “You’re really going to leave us alone here? You’re trusting us with a weapon?”
Emily nodded. “Yes. I think you’ve earned my confidence. Unless there’s some reason I shouldn’t have faith in you.”
Colin spoke up. “Of course not. You can trust us.”
“Very well. Shall we, Robert?”
Robbie tipped his hat. “After you, ma’am.”
As Emily and Robbie rode off, Patrick leaned against a tree and ate a handful of nuts. He shook his head. “Silly woman. We could leave now and never look back.”
Colin took a handful of nuts for himself, cracking the shells. “Where would we even go?”
“Back to the coast. Find some civilization.”
Colin found the idea of leaving the drive decidedly unappealing. “I think we’d be the fools to give up an honest living with good people to go on the run as escaped convicts.”
“Honest living? We’re slaves, don’t forget. Don’t have two shillings to rub together.”
“I know, but…I like it out here.”
A smile teased Patrick’s lips, and his eyes appraised Colin. “Mmm. It suits you, I must admit. They’d barely recognize you, the Lancasters.”
Colin laughed. “Why, because I have reddened skin and I’m not in a frock coat?”
Patrick stood and approached Colin languidly. He reached out and removed Colin’s hat, tossing it aside. “Not red anymore. Just darker. You don’t look like a rich man’s son.” He inched closer and began unbuttoning Colin’s shirt. “You’re getting more muscles now.” Patrick slipped Colin’s shirt off and dropped it to the ground. He ran the tip of his finger down the center of Colin’s chest.
His throat suddenly dry as a bone, Colin swallowed thickly. “I am?” He’d noticed his shirts were tighter, and he’d loosened his belt a notch.
Patrick’s other hand came around and caressed Colin’s back. “Aye. You are.” Colin reached for him, but Patrick skipped away and glanced toward the river. “Let’s take a dip. No one about but the cattle, and I don’t think they’ll mind.”
Colin looked in all directions. The herd munched lazily, and they were alone as far as the eye could see. Excitement growing, he quickly followed, tossing the rest of his clothes by the riverbank and wading in after Patrick. They hadn’t been able to couple again since the first time, and Colin was eager for more.
However, Patrick seemed in a teasing mood, and aside from a few stolen kisses, he slithered out of Colin’s grasp as they splashed around. The sun was bright overhead, and they playfully wrestled with each other in the cool water. Colin tried to get a grip on Patrick, but Patrick evaded him time and time again, his laughter echoing over the water.
Finally Colin huffed in mock annoyance and retreated to a large, flat rock by the river’s edge. He lay down on his stomach, folding his head on his arms. He closed his eyes and listened to the chirps of insects and the lowing of the cattle.
“Sulking now, are we?” Patrick teased.
Colin kept his eyes shut. “No. Just sunning.”
A few moments later, he felt droplets of water on his back and Patrick’s hand on his backside. “Careful, now. Your arse is still lily-white. Don’t want to burn this delicate skin.”
Before Colin could respond, he gasped at the sensation of Patrick slowly swiping his tongue across Colin’s backside. Patrick’s breath tickled his skin, and he traced patterns on Colin’s cheeks with his fingers. Patrick settled himself behind Colin on the rock, lying flat against Colin’s legs, which spread to accommodate him.
Anticipation glimmered in Colin’s veins, and his cock grew beneath him. He was wondering what Patrick would do next when Colin felt his cheeks being parted, followed by Patrick’s tongue flicking against his hole.
Shocked, Colin yelped, then groaned with sheer bliss as Patrick spread him open and lapped at him, tracing around the ridge of muscle and pushing inside Colin with this tongue. It was heavenly, and Colin soon panted for breath as Patrick pleasured him so very intimately. Colin hadn’t known such an act existed, but as the sparks of delight brought his entire body to life, he was very glad it did.
His cock was now painfully hard below him, trapped against the hot surface of the rock. He shifted to try and take some of the pressure off, and a moment later, Patrick hauled him up onto the shore with strong hands. Colin rested on his hands and knees while Patrick disappeared. Colin opened his mouth to protest, but Patrick returned a moment later, close behind him.
Patrick prodded with slick fingers where his tongue had, and Colin moaned. “Please.”
As he leaned over Colin, the head of Patrick’s hard cock nudged Colin’s entrance. “You want it?”
“Yes. God, yes. I want you.”
With a low growl in his throat, Patrick thrust inside Colin, the burning friction making Colin seize up. Patrick’s breath tickled Colin’s ear, and his fingers skimmed down Colin’s spine. “Relax for me. That’s it. Let me in.”
Taking a deep breath, Colin concentrated, allowing Patrick to move farther inside him. Patrick squeezed one of Colin’s hips and pulled almost all the way out before pushing in again. “So tight,” he muttered.
As the pain receded, Patrick seemed to sense it, and he began thrusting in a faster rhythm. Flickers of intense pleasure ricocheted in Colin’s body, emanating from his ass and his cock. His arms quavered after a few minutes, and he went down on his elbows. This opened him up even farther to Patrick, who moaned loudly as he grasped Colin’s hips with his hands, plunging into him ever deeper.
Colin realized the breathy gasps of pleasure he could hear were coming from him, and as Patrick leaned down and grasped Colin’s leaking cock, Colin called out. Patrick stroked him roughly. “Yes. Let me hear you.”
That they were out in the open in broad daylight added to Colin’s exhilaration, and his cries of pleasure echoed. He let himself go, moaning noisily, which seemed to spur Patrick on. “God. Patrick. Patrick.”
His hips slamming up against Colin’s ass, Patrick stroked Colin’s cock even faster, and a moment later, Colin’s cries reverberated in the air as he came, spurting long, thick ropes on the ground and splashing up onto his chest. Colin flew apart, shaking as he clamped down on Patrick’s cock. Patrick drove on, panting as he strove for his own release.
When Patrick found completion, he shuddered and filled Colin’s ass with his hot seed. Colin collapsed on the grass, and Patrick followed, his weight heavy. Colin didn’t mind, though. Patrick softened inside him but didn’t withdraw. He pressed his lips against Colin’s neck, and stroked Colin’s hair idly.
After a few minutes, they made their way back into the river, washing themselves and moving into each other’s arms for leisurely kisses. Colin was utterly content, and he wished the respite would never end. They took turns napping in the shade, limbs entwined. As Colin dozed, Patrick idly drew patterns on Colin’s back. It was bliss.
Soon enough, however, Patrick spotted riders in the distance, and they dressed quickly. Squinting, Colin tried to make out if it was Emily and Robbie returning. He thought so but couldn’t be sure. Patrick picked up the rifle, and they waited until the riders came into proper view. Colin heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Robbie’s familiar form and Emily’s small frame on the horse beside him.
They led their horses to the river to drink and dismounted. Emily removed her hat and wiped her forehead before taking a swig from her canteen. “Well, at least that’s over.”
“How did it go?” Colin asked.
“As well as can be expected. Mr. Barnes made it clear he doesn’t think a woman has any place out here.”
“Let the old bastard think what he wants, ma’am. You stood up to him mighty well.”
“Thank you, Robert.” Emily was fairly beaming. “He offered to buy my land. Well, ‘offered’ is probably too slight a word. More like he demanded I turn the deed over for whatever price he wanted. I politely declined.”
Robbie grinned. “Thought his head was gonna explode. Face went all red. I could barely keep from laughin’.”
“Yes, I expect Mr. Barnes is used to having his way. Not this time, I’m afraid.” She addressed Colin and Patrick. “Everything all right here?”
“Yes, fine. Everything was fine.” Colin was struck by guilt that he and Patrick hadn’t exactly been watching the herd closely.
Emily seemed puzzled. “Are you sure?”
Patrick spoke up. “Quiet as a churchyard.”
“Glad to hear it. We should keep moving. I’d like to get as far away from Mr. Barnes as possible.” Emily brought her horse back to the wagon, and Robbie insisted on removing its saddle and hitching it back up for her.
They moved out, continuing across Barnes’s land. A few hours later, Colin thought he saw a flare of light in the distance. He looked at Patrick to see if he’d noticed, and he didn’t have to ask. Patrick’s expression was grim. “Spyglass, I wager. Sun’s reflecting off it.”
A decidedly unpleasant thought crossed Colin’s mind. “Do you think they were watching? Earlier?”
Patrick’s jaw set, and he stared into the distance. After a moment, he shrugged and smiled slyly. “Hope they enjoyed themselves if they were. Gave them quite a show.”
They shared a glance, and Colin flushed with renewed desire. He could hardly wait to do it again.