Page 45 of The Highlander's Temporary Bride
Odious toad. If Helena does marry Laird Ronson, I know she will make short work of him.
Hurrying down the steps, she did not see the Laird at first, but a passing guard—a large, scarred man who gave her a small smile and pointed to the stables. As she nodded her thanks, she notedthat she did not feel any trepidation aroundthatman, even though he looked far more intimidating than Reuben.
Before she could give it any more thought, she rounded the corner and found Laird Ronson standing with two horses, Balfire and a demure tan mare.
“No,” Emma gasped as she turned to flee.
She heard the thud of boots behind her, and then she was snatched around the waist and tossed over a large shoulder before she made it a step. Her mouth dropped open in outrage as Laird Ronson simply carried her to the horses and then put her down.
“Are you mad?” she hissed.
“Och, aye,” he said in a low voice. “But I think we all are.”
“I told you why I do not care for blood,” she said and gave the horses an uneasy look over her shoulder. Balfire seemed to recognize her and nuzzled her shoulder, but she flinched away. “I am not interested in riding, Sir.”
“Ye can face yer fear of blood with a wound, but nae with a horse?” Laird Ronson held up a hand. “’Tis a shame, for I dinnae ken how else I should thank ye for our dance last night.”
Heat swept through Emma, and she almost swayed. Laughter and nerves spiraled through her, constricting her throat. What could she say to that? It almost sounded like he wasflirting.
Helena’s intended,she reminded herself.
“Please,” she said softly, trying a different tactic as she met his deep green eyes. They were so different from his brother’s, with a depth to them like an inviting spring. “This is a fear that I know I cannot conquer.”
Laird Ronson gave her a slow smile and leaned closer. “Lass, that I cannae believe. Come now, we must be honest with each other.”
Balfire whickered, and Emma started, all but leaping away. Amusement flickered in the Laird’s eyes, but he did not laugh, only caught her elbow gently and pulled her forward.
Emma felt her temper rising. “This is most unfair,” she complained. “You are such a stubborn brute, you know that.”
“Och aye. I cannae forget with ye around, Emma,” he said.
Emma wrenched her elbow free and glared at him. “You must stop being so familiar with me. You are my best friend’s intended. I…” His gaze seemed to burn into hers. “I… Oh, what?”
“It’s goin’ to be like that, is it nae, Me Lady?” he asked, and her stomach fluttered.
How dare he make her title sound even more wicked than her name?
“Then ye should have nay fear of me or ridin’. ‘Tis simply part of our bargain.”
“First we have a deal, now we have a bargain,” Emma muttered and shifted her weight from foot to foot. “We… We really should not be doing this, Laird Ronson.” She swallowed hard, and before she lost her courage, she added, “And I think you know that.”
The green of his eyes frosted over, and he stood straighter, his lip curling. “Fine, Me Lady. We shall keep this proper. Ye shall learn how to ride without havin’ to say a word to me—all ye must do is listen.” He cocked his head. “Does that work?”
No,Emma wanted to shout, but she saw the set of his shoulders and jaw.
Although they had only known each other a handful of days, she knew him well enough to know that no amount of arguing would dissuade him from this idea.
Or maybe you want to give in.
CHAPTER 19
I cannae believeshe gave in.
Grant could not stop thinking about the stubborn woman facing off against him in the stable yard, refusing to even look at Mor. And now, she’d walked with him to the pastures by the loch, agreeing to ride.
He’d been prepared to go back inside, to spend their hour in the library. What had changed her mind?
He gave her a sidelong glance. As much as he should be grateful and not ask, he could not stop wondering.
