Page 7 of Highlander's Wild Lass
“Nay, but it’s obvious you need help, lass. I can see it in yer eyes despite them glarin’ white hot at me,” Anthony told her, stepping towards her. “Nae to mention the state of the house, I cannae even imagine what the stables are like.” Despite himself, he reached out as if he wanted to take hold of her hand.
Celestia stepped back, her voice low. “Ye come to help but ye insult us greatly, m’laird. I—we—have been managin’ well enough.”
“Aye, but how long till ye cannae manage anymore?”
“Listen,” she said, pointing at him. “If ye have such an opinion, then make yerself useful and clean the stables.”
Anthony smirked, nodding. “Sure, lass. Lead the way.”
He walked past her, heading towards the back door. She turned, watching him open it and motion for her to walk through. “After ye.”
“This way,” she said, making her way down the stone path that led to the stables a short way away.
“I really daenae mean to offend ye. I want to be of help to yer family,” Anthony said. Celestia thought she nearly heard an apology, but there was something else she couldn’t pinpoint.
Celestia turned to him, not realizing how close he was following, and stumbled into him. Her hand pressed into his wool vest, and she could feel the supple waves of his muscles underneath.
“Watch where yer goin’,” he grumbled, taking hold of her shoulders, steadying her.
“Daenae follow so closely, then,” she hissed, shrugging out of his grip.
They continued into the stables, and Celestia became immediately aware of the state of it, and the smell. She and the twins had done their best to keep up with it, but four horses were hard to keep up after.
“There’s Beyla,” Celestia said, pointing to the white and gray spotted Eriskay pony in the first stall. They stopped in front of the horse, who leaned her head over the stable door. “Beyla was the last foal our mother’s horse gave us; Auralia helped with her birth.”
Anthony brushed his hand against the side of Beyla’s face. “She’s a bonnie one. Does she ride well?”
“Aye,” Celestia said as she stroked Beyla’s velvet nose. “She keeps up fine with the others.”
She showed him the twins’ horses, two black Dale horses, stabled together. “This is Castor and Pollux, named after—”
“After the Greek myth?” Anthony offered.
“Aye, the lads are fond of their stories,” she said.
“How do ye tell them apart?” he asked.
Celestia lifted Castor’s head slightly and pointed to the smallest patch of white under his chin. “This spot mostly, but they’re about as different in temperament and personality as the twins themselves.”
Anthony reached for Pollux who was approaching at a slight trot.
“Watch!” Celestia exclaimed, reaching to pull Anthony’s arm away.
But it was too late, Pollux clamped down on Anthony’s fingers. Anthony cursed, pulling his fingers from the horse’s mouth. Celestia couldn’t see blood, but there would be a bruise by the end of the day.
She clapped a hand over her mouth, doing her best to stifle her laughter. “That’s how we truly tell them apart. If one tries to bite ye, that’s Pollux.”
Anthony glared at her. “Ye could have warned me!”
Celestia shrugged, dropping her hand, biting her lip to keep from laughing. “Just don’t let him near yer ears. I had to pry him off Hugo last fall, ears are his favorite.”
He muttered curses under his breath as he scratched Pollux under his chin. Celestia felt herself looking too long but noticed that his eyes crinkled so handsomely when he laughed.
“And finally,” she said, looking away and moving them to the last stall. “This one is mine, Grannus.” Celestia petted the tall, roan-haired horse.
“Ye chose a stallion for yerself?” he said, sounding astonished.
Celestia nodded, eyeing him. “I find the males easier to tame.”
