Page 13 of Highlander's Wild Lass
She turned to see him untying the knot and pushed him aside. “Get away, I’ll do it myself.”
“Put the knife away before ye hurt yerself.”
“I’ll hurt ye with it if ye daenae leave me alone,” she snapped, grabbing hold of the lead.
“Ye are a funny lass.”
“Funny, mad, prideful.” She dropped the leather cord, using her free hand to unsheathe her small knife. “Ye’ve got a lot of words for me…”
Celestia held the knife up and backed Anthony into the trunk of the tree. She could see his eyes glinting with mischief and a hint of fear. “But ye’ve been an arrogant pain in my backside since the day I met ye.”
“And ye havenae been a pain inmybackside?”
She held the tip of the knife to his throat.
“What are ye gonna do, Celestia? Kill me?” Anthony dropped his voice low, near to whisper.
* * *
Anthony gazed down the edge of Celestia’s tiny blade, his back pressed up against the willow tree, and grinned. He had not expected her to take such a great offense to the help he was willing to offer, but he didn’t mind being pressed up against a tree next to her.
“Go ahead, I dare ye. But ye will not be seein’ the light of the next day if ye do. My men will want vengeance.”
He could feel her warm breath on his neck, a great deal different than the cool air around them. It made a slight shiver erupt down the length of his spine.
“I willnae be killin’ ye today, but if ye ever say another disrespectful thing about my family again, I will.”
Celestia pulled away slightly, giving Anthony the chance to take hold of her and pin her to the tree trunk. He heard the knife clatter to the ground.
“How dare ye!” she said, struggling to loosen his grip.
“Hold still,” he said, leaning down and looking into her eyes. The day was bright enough now that he could make out the color of her eyes—green like the bright, fresh leaves of spring. “Stop squirmin’—I need to say somethin’ to ye.”
He had taken her by surprise and her cheeks were red with a deep blush, her skin clear from the dirt that had been there yesterday.
They locked eyes.
“Marry me,” he said in a low voice.
4
Celestia was stunned. She tried to find words, but her tongue was no use to her. She just threatened his life and he ask to wed her? She couldn’t have heard him correctly. “What did ye say?”
Anthony moved one arm to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers grazed her cheek softly. “Will ye make me say it again, lass?”
She nodded as she fought the urge to lean into the warmth of his palm. “Say it again.”
“Will ye marry me?” he asked.
Celestia reached up with both of her hands, reaching to touch his face when she came to her senses. Anthony closed his eyes, seemingly expecting her to acquiesce. She quickly brought her hands down over the bend of his elbows, releasing his hands from her. She shoved him away, clearing enough space for her to get to her horse.
“Wait!” he exclaimed, grabbing her hand and tugging her closer.
She stumbled into him, flailing her arms to catch herself, and felt her elbow connect with some hard, bony part of Anthony.
“Jesus, Celestia!” he growled, holding a hand to his face.
The pain on his face sent her into a maddening, nearly hysterical rage. “Marry ye?” she half-shouted, half-laughed, ignoring that she accidentally hit him in the face.
