Page 33 of An Allusive Love
They made their way to the store, stopping at certain points to say hello, or goodbye in Lachlan’s case. The owner of the dry goods shop came out to meet them and grinned at Brigid as she slid off the horse without assistance.
“She’s all ready for ye. My boy has her coat sparkling like the midnight sky with a full moon.” He held out his hand, his shirt sleeve rolled up over a powerful forearm, and shook Lachlan’s and then Brodie’s. With two fingers to his mouth, he gave a piercing whistle. A high-pitched neigh answered from the back of the building.
“Oooh,” moaned Brigid, balancing her weight on one then the other foot.
“Contain yerself, sweet sister,” Brodie said with a chuckle, “here she comes.”
He had to admit the horse was a beauty. Glossy black except for a twist of white on the forehead, its mane and tail fluttered in the light breeze as it pranced on the end of the rope. Like most Highland ponies, the mare was short but sturdy with muscled hindquarters, a sleek neck, and kind, intelligent eyes.
Brigid approached slowly, murmuring softly in Gaelic, and the animal calmed. She took the rope and continued her soothing words, rubbing its soft nose. “Just so ye ken, I’d have spent a month in the kitchen with Enid for this beastie.”
“So she says after the fact,” said Lachlan. The humor faded from his face as something caught his attention over Brodie’s shoulder.
Brodie turned to see who was behind him. Ross Craigg with his daughter, Nessie. When the girl caught their look, Craigg reached up and pulled the small hairs at the back of her neck. She cringed and eased her head back to avoid the pain.
A knot formed in Brodie’s stomach. His fist clenched and unclenched as he fought for control. With a quick glance at his brother, he saw Lachlan fighting for the same control.
“If ye even glance their way, lass, ye’ll pay for it,” Craigg warned his daughter, loud enough for the MacNaughtons to hear. “Ye’ll associate with fold when I tell ye, or I’ll lock ye up until ye’re too old to care.”
“He’s lucky I’ll be in Glasgow the rest of the summer,” muttered Lachlan, a vein popping out in his neck.
“That’s right, ye traitorous cur,” called Craigg. “Go to the Highlands and kiss those Lowlander and English arses.”
Brodie seized his brother’s arm as Lachlan lunged toward the man. “It’s no’ worth it. He’s baiting ye like a bear.”
Lachlan growled. “But it would feel so good to have his jaw crunch under my fist.”
“The lass will be the one to pay the price. Dinna give him a reason to take his anger out on Nessie.” Brodie knew Ross Craig didn’t have the courage to plant a facer on another man, who would return the favor in kind. He’d soothe his ego by reminding his women how much strength his punch had.
“That’s why ye need to be the next chief. Ye think ahead of the consequences before ye act.” Lachlan smacked his fist against his other palm. “I, on the other hand, act and then kick my own backside.”
“Shall we go? I want to see how she gallops.” Brigid’s disgusted gaze burned a hole in Craigg’s retreating back. “The mon will get what he deserves some day.”
“I hope I’m around to watch,” Lachlan griped.
“Let’s change the subject for the ride home. Ye still need to tell us about the accountant,” hinted Brodie.
“I said there’s nothing to discuss.” Lachlan turned his scowl on Brodie.
“When a mon insists there’s nothing to talk about, it usually means there’s plenty he’snotsaying.”
*
Ross Craig coileda lock of dark hair around his finger and twisted his thumb and knuckle. He chuckled when Nessie’s thin neck jerked backward. “I saw ye gawking at them, the lust in yer eyes.”
She shook her head frantically. “I only glanced over when they spoke to us.”
“First ye embarrass me on Beltane, disappearing into the woods like a common trollop. Then ye run off with that piece of cow dung, and MacDunn has to bring ye back. I expect the eejit wanted me to thank him for the return of my ungrateful daughter.” He grunted, a mirthless cackle.
Ross bristled at the memory of MacDunn pounding at his door just before dawn. He’d never had a clue the little wench had planned to elope. It had taken both men to drag the hysterical girl inside, kicking and screaming. The disgust in MacDunn’s eyes had cheered Ross.
“Ye see what I put up with? The ungrateful whore.” But when he turned to his neighbor, hand outstretched in a rare show of thanks, he realized the antipathy was not aimed at his daughter.
“Ye’ll no’ blame me for this, Craigg,” MacDunn had said and turned his back on the goodwill gesture. “If I’d no’ given my word to Calum, she’d be my daughter by tomorrow.” Giving Nessie a pathetic look of apology, he had stormed from the cottage.
There would be little chance of a repeat adventure. Nessie had been put on a short lead after that. If she was to be a bedwarmer, it would be a man of his own choosing. One who could improve his standing, make him financially solvent.
“I’d find ye no matter how far ye ran,” Craigg reminded the girl now as they came to the edge of town. “Did ye truly think ye’d make it to Gretna Green?”
