Page 41 of The Highlander's Dare
Clara turned around to look at him, stricken at the idea of him fighting over her anymore. “Oh, nay, do not fight on my account.”
“Ye’re to be my wife. I’ll fight for ye every day for the rest of our lives.”
She pressed her palm to his cheek. “My champion, but nay, I will not allow it. I shall challenge them myself.”
“To a battle of wits? They will surely lose.” He winked.
Clara shook her head. “I am also good with an arrow.”
“Is that so?”
“Aye. We can have a competition, you and me.” The very idea sent a thrill of excitement through her. This was a dream she’d had often as a child: one day, she’d challenge a handsome knight to a contest of skills. But how much more wonderful it was that the man captured her heart and that when they were done, they could kiss and make love.
“I fear already ye have beat me.”
She laughed. “How is that?”
“Ye beat me at wits, and I fell for ye when ye rolled your eyes and practically called me a dog. How am I to go up against ye with weapons? Besides, I’ll be too busy staring at your breasts and wondering when I can take ye back to our chamber and make ye swoon.”
Clara playfully swatted at him. “I dare you and you cannot back away from a dare, sir. Do I need to take off my glove formally?”
“Take everything off,” he growled wickedly into her ear. “Every single stitch, and we shall do this battle naked.”
“Ye know we can hear ye?” Duncan said, sarcasm dripping from his words.
Graham chuckled and urged his mount ahead. “Stay back there,” he called over his shoulder.
The howling laughter of the men followed them as they put distance between them. Heat suffused Clara’s face, and though she was embarrassed that their conversation had been overheard, all she wanted to do was kiss Graham, no matter who saw.
“Now, what was I saying?” Graham teased.
“Something about being naked.”
“Ah, aye, I canna wait to have ye in my bed, naked.”
“Morning, noon and night.”
Some hours later, Graham nudged Clara awake. “We’re here.”
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, sitting up on their shared mount as they passed through a small village and down a long winding road with a keep at the end. The salty scent of the sea blew on the breeze, and she breathed in deep.
“I’d not realized you were by the sea,” she said.
“Aye. I’ll take ye down to the beach later if ye like. And our chambers overlook the water, so ye’ll be able to see it anytime ye like.”
“I should like that very much. In Normandy, we were several hours’ ride from the sea.”
As their horses trekked down the road, people came out of houses, workshops, and in from the fields, their eyes scanning the group, some with worried expressions, others with joy. Clara’s heart went out to them all for the tragedy they’d suffered throughout the years.
“Where is your brother?” someone called out.
“Cormac, our chieftain, will be home soon with his bride,” Graham called back. “And I would verra much like to introduce all of ye to mine, Lady Clara. Come to the castle, and we shall celebrate. Spread the word to Sutherlands all around!” These were lines repeated as they traveled down the road until they had a trail of people chasing after them.
At the foot of the keep, servants and clan elders met them. Graham leapt from the horse, reaching to take her down with him. He held her arm up and loudly proclaimed, “Lady Clara de Montfort, my bride-to-be. We shall wed in view of all the Sutherland clan, and when my brother returns, we shall celebrate again with his bride.”
“We are saved?” a gray-haired man with bushy brows asked.
“Aye, we are saved.”
