Page 8 of The Highlander's Illicit Bride
“All right. Let’s go,” he said. “And keep up or I’ll leave ye behind.”
“And if ye dae that, ye’ll never ken where they’re keepin’ yer braither,” Isolde pointed out, calling him on his bluff.
He grumbled under his breath but said nothing more as they rode out of the clearing and got on the path that would lead them through the woods and through the Great Glen.
CHAPTER FOUR
Struan stroked the horse’s neck and frowned. The big animal was weak and breathing heavily. It angered him to see such a fine, noble animal in such a sorry state. Isolde stepped forward, her full heart-shaped lips curling downward in a sorrowful frown.
She brushed her long golden hair over her shoulder and patted the horse’s neck, her wide azure eyes glittering. Even as bedraggled as she looked after their escape, Struan could not deny the woman’s beauty. He gave himself a shake and focused on the horse.
“These horses are done for,” Struan said, trying to distract himself from Isolde. “They’ll nae make it much farther with us on their backs. Seems these bastards didnae believe in carin’ fer their mounts.”
“What will we dae with them?”
“We are goin’ tae have tae let these two go,” he said. “They’ll nae be able tae make the rest of the journey.”
“Willnae they die on their own?”
“There are a lot of farms in the area. The castle is also nae that far. I’m hopin’ they can find their way and be cared fer proper. ‘Tis a good chance of that.”
“So, what are we tae dae then?”
“This horse here is still in good shape,” he said. “We’ll have tae ride taegether.”
“Taegether? Ye mean both of us on the same horse?”
“’Tis what together means the last time I checked.”
“’Tis inappropriate,” she looked horrified.
He shrugged, faking indifference. “Ye can walk then.”
Her face reddened and she scowled at him. Isolde was a woman who wore her emotions on her sleeve, that was for certain. On the one hand, that was welcomed. He would always know what she was thinking. On the other, it made her a bit unpredictable. Struan could never expect what would set her off. That could be dangerous.
What he couldn’t deny was that the woman intrigued him. More than she should. She was the daughter of his mortal enemy. The man who’d tried to take everything from him. The man whodidtake somebody incredibly precious to him.
Struan had vowed, long ago, to have his vengeance and visit his rage on Murdock Mackintosh for murdering his beloved older sister, Rhona. It was a wound that still festered deep within him and that would not heal. Not until he’d avenged his sister and let finally be at rest.
And kidnapping his brother Finlay on top of that.
Pulling himself out of his thoughts, he ran a hand through his long, dark hair. “So? What’s it goin’ tae be then, lass? Ride with me or walk?”
Isolde only huffed a loud sigh. “Fine.”
Struan pulled the saddles and bags off the two horses and gave them another stroke before giving them a firm slap on the rump to send them running. He hoped they’d find a home where they’d be cared for. That done, he took what they needed and loaded up their remaining bags.
“Are ye ready?” he asked.
“Aye.”
The word had barely cleared her lips when he lifted her up. She yelped in surprise and hit his arm. It amazed Struan that so much feistiness could be contained within such a small, delicate frame.
Struan steadied both their bodies on the saddle, unconsciously wrapping an arm around her waist as he grabbed the reins with his other hand. She shook and wriggled in his grasp.
“Ye dinnae need tae hold me like that,” she snapped. “I can sit on a saddle just fine on me own.”
Her flustered cheeks brought a smirk to Struan’s lips. “Forgive me fer tryin’ tae be sure ye didnae fall off the horse,princess.”
