Page 49 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
Then, out of nowhere, there was a violent flash of lightning above their heads. It was followed by the loudest thunderclap Emily had ever heard, and in the same second, the whites of Buck’s eyes were suddenly visible.
With a great whinny of fear, the horse tensed up, his legs becoming rigid.
“Buck?” Adam said gently, reaching out a hand to soothe the beast. “It’s all?—”
But as another grumble of thunder shuddered over them, the horse had heard enough. With a shriek of fear, he galloped at full pelt out of the forest and back to the castle.
“BUCK!” Adam shouted, running after him a few paces, but it was useless. The horse was long gone.
Emily stared after him in dismay. She was so tired, and Adam had come all the way out here to get her. Now they were stranded with no way of getting back.
This is all me fault.
Adam turned around, but instead of the worry she had expected to see on his face, he just looked annoyed.
“Damn horse never acted like that in his life before. Ye’re makin’ him soft!” Adam said, but there was warmth in his voice.
“What are we goin’ to do now?” Emily asked.
Adam chuckled. “Dinnae look so forlorn, lass. I ken these woods like the back of me hand. I may nae be able to run ye a bath, but there’ll be a roof over our heads, at least.”
He returned to her, offering her his hand, and she took it without question.
He’s a brawler. A brute!Why do I feel so safe with him?
Anticipation thrummed in Adam’s veins as he led Emily slowly through the forest. It was as though he were a little boy again, camping in the woods with Doughall.
He hadn’t visited the hunting lodge for some time, but he knew it was well cared for. Many people from his clan hunted in his woods, and they were welcome to use it whenever they needed.
He hoped it was unoccupied tonight, however, and as the familiar silhouette of the tiny house came into view, he was glad that there was no fire burning from within.
Helping Emily step over the uneven ground, he swept his arm before him, presenting their accommodation for the night and watching for her reaction.
Emily’s eyes widened as she took in the little hut. Although it was only a single room inside, it had a working chimney and a wide hearth.
He opened the door, which creaked abominably. The interior was pitch black.
“Shall I carry ye over the threshold?” he asked.
“Dinnae ye dare,” Emily retorted, walking inside and squinting around in the gloom. “Are ye plannin’ to finally do away with me?” she asked.
Adam chuckled and went to the tinderbox, which he knew was always kept stocked. Using some flint, he lit a torch on a bracket on the wall, which sent leaping shadows all over the walls around them.
“I’ll light the fire. Ye need to get out of those wet clothes before ye catch yer death.”
“I dinnae plan on undressin’ in front of ye.” Her expression was indignant.
He huffed out a laugh. “If we marry, I will see ye naked every day of our lives.”
“Ifwe marry, I cannae imagine ye’d see meevery daywhen we are livin’ in separate castles.”
“I would imagine I’d have a spyglass to look into yer room,” he quipped, and she gaped at him. He could only laugh at her scandalized expression. “Now, are ye changin’ or nae, M’Lady? I promise nae to look.”
“Turn around,” she said, and he rolled his eyes. “What am I goin’ to wear?”
There was a small cabinet at the far side of the room where Adam kept some clothes if he was ever in need of them after a long hunt. Inside, he found a clean léine, which would do for now. It was enormous compared to Emily’s tiny frame, but at least it was dry.
“Here,” he said, handing it over. He bowed so low that his hair brushed the floor. “I shall respect yer honor, M’Lady, and ne’er gaze upon ye.”
