Page 22 of Intrigued By A Highlander

“Hennie’s right.”

She never expected that response and spoke without thinking. “But you have said again and again that I am too small for you.”

“Aye. You’re pretty enough, Dru, but I have a taste for larger women, not wee ones.”

It was true enough. He’d always preferred larger women and yet having her tucked in his arms and sleeping wrapped around her, he was finding he liked the way she fit with him—perfectly.

His remark touched her and confused her. He thought her pretty, yet he preferred larger women. His compliment gave her heart a flutter, but it was what he said without saying, that he didn’t find her appealing, that sent the flutter scurrying.

She smiled and raised her chin with a bravado she didn’t actually feel. “It is good to know. Now, let’s get back to what’s important so we can see this task done and part ways.”

Knox agreed, struggling to understand that for a moment it disturbed him to think of bidding her farewell.

He cleared his throat. “Phelan sent Rankin to sniff. Make no mistake, Phelan is going after the bounty. If he gets to Autumn first, he’ll use her to his advantage.”

Dru let out a slow breath. “And that leaves us with the question—who? Who could possibly want Autumn dead?”

Knox didn’t answer right away. The mare’s steady gait carried them along the leaf strewn path.

Dru twisted slightly, watching him. “Do you know any more than you’ve already told me about Autumn?”

Knox kept his gaze on the road ahead. “She was raised away from his household. And he’s never met her.”

Dru scoffed. “Aye, well, that tells me nothing about her—only about him.”

Knox gave her a look, but she continued.

“It’s obvious Torrance doesn’t give a hoot about Autumn and why should he when she was never in his life, probably by intention. His father didn’t intend for the siblings to mingle. That tells me that he also didn’t give a hoot about his daughter. Autumn is nothing more than chattel to her half-brother.”

“On the other side of the coin, she is a problem for someone and needs to be eliminated. It could be someone opposed to the marriage Torrance has arranged for Autumn.”

“Or someone with intense dislike for Torrance, which would be a wide range of people,” Dru said, trying to adjust herself in the saddle, her bottom getting a bit sore.

Knox shifted her to stop her squirming, fitting her more firmly against him. More comfortable for her but a bit of a surprising challenge for him. If he didn’t find her appealing, why was his manhood responding to the way she rubbed against it as they bounced along in the saddle?

Trying to get his mind off his unexpected reaction, he asked, “What do you know of Autumn?”

“Not much, only whispers here and there,” she admitted.

“How does she vanish without so much as a trace?”

“Survival,” Dru suggested. “Maybe her mum made her aware how her father would use her to benefit himself and the clan. And she chose not to leave herself vulnerable to his whim.”

“That does make sense.” He shook his head. “But vanishing without a trace would take help. Maybe that healer is the one who helped her. We need to find her.”

Dru wiggled in place and Knox thought it might be wise of him to find a willing woman when given a chance. A glance down at Dru reminded him he had a wife and though their vows hadn’t been sealed there was no way he would dishonor them.

“Sit still, Dru,” he snapped.

She glared at him. “My bum is getting sore.”

“It wouldn’t if you had more meat on your bones.”

His insult sparked her anger, and she jabbed him in the chest. “You’re not a very kind husband, insulting your wife the way you do. How do you expect to find love if you treat your wife so poorly?”

He huffed. “I’m not looking for love.”

“But your wife might be.” She shook her head slowly. “Again, not a good husband, denying her your heart. Why would she ever marry you?”

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