Page 8 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
Time was running out, and he wasn’t going to play this game with her any longer.
But of course, it wasn’t a game for Leana. And just as she had said, she was determined to make things difficult for him.
“But ye’re nae me Laird, so ye cannae make me do anything,” she countered.
“True,” Kenneth acknowledged, nodding quietly as he looked at the young, fearless lass. “But me men can. Remember, I always have the option of keepin’ ye in me castle, whether ye want it or nae.”
She huffed out a breath. She looked as tired of the argument as he was. But she did not look defeated.
“Ye’re too stubborn,” she hissed.
“So are ye,” Kenneth returned as they continued walking.
He did not take his eyes off her. He knew full well that the lass wouldn’t hesitate to flee again at the slightest opportunity, so he didn’t let up, and she didn’t seem to let up either.
Together they walked side by side to where the men were saddling their horses. The rain had begun to subside, so it was no longer a nuisance to them, but the cold had set in.
Everything was damp, which might make the journey slower, as the ground would be muddy and slushy. But Kenneth hoped to make it back to the castle before sunset.
That is, of course, if the stubborn, beautiful lass would stop resisting everything he did or said.
“Me Laird, everything is ready,” one of the men announced as Kenneth approached the horses.
“Can ye ride, Miss Beaton?” he asked.
Leana raised an eyebrow at him. “Aye,” she replied simply.
But he could read more on her face. If he handed her the horse’s reins, she would not hesitate to use that advantage to escape.
Suppressing a sigh of frustration, Kenneth handed the reins of the second horse to one of his men. “The lass will ride with me.”
“I’m perfectly capable of ridin’,” Leana protested immediately.
“I ken. And that’s what worries me,” he pointed out.
This time, he was not going to let her choose. From now on, they would do things his way, for he had no intention of wasting any more time.
So, he approached his horse—a huge, dark steed—and took the reins, ready to go.
If they set off now and kept up their pace, they would reach the castle soon.
But before he mounted, Kenneth noticed something, and only then did he remove his cloak and drape it over Leana’s shoulders.
Evidently, she was not going to make that easy for him either.
“What do ye think ye’re doin’?” she hissed, trying to shrug off the cloak.
In a bid to stop her, Kenneth grabbed her hand, causing her to jerk up her head and search his gaze.
“Ye’re soakin’ wet and cold,” he said, for he had noticed the way her lips had turned slightly blue. “And me cloak is much sturdier than yers.”
“I daenae need it,” Leana stated defiantly.
“Daenae fight over everything, lass. Just accept the cloak before ye get sick.”
She did not like the order, that much was obvious, but she made no protest. With a grunt, she adjusted the garment around her shoulders as Kenneth pulled her closer to the horse.
Without waiting for her permission, he grabbed her by the waist. His hands fit perfectly in the narrow and curvaceous shape, and his fingers almost brushed her navel. She looked up at him, uncomfortable and slightly frightened, but he simply lifted her into the saddle and then climbed up after her.
