Page 48 of Stealing Sophie
Chapter 14
Agleam of a satin gown and golden hair caught Connor’s eye as he made his way through the trees. At first, he thought he imagined her, for the lass had filled his thoughts all day. Then, certain that was her, he swore and strode down the hill.
She stopped as he approached, and then moved toward him when he expected her to run away. Bless her for common sense, he thought. He did not care to chase her over the hills again.
“Sophie,” he growled. “Where is Roderick Murray? Picking flowers?”
She tilted her head. “Flowers?”
“I assume you are only out here because you convinced your escort to go with you to look for flowers or some such. So he must be here somewhere. Otherwise,” he clipped out, “you could not be so lunatic as to leave Glendoon alone at night without a guard.”
“I do not need an escort or a guard. I have had enough of being locked away. I am going home to Duncrieff.”
“Are you?” He took a swift step toward her, grasping her arm before she could move, though she flinched. “Trust me, you are safer at Glendoon in my keeping than out here on your own.”
“In your keeping? You left me with Roderick. I would rather have my freedom.”
He drew her along, back toward Glendoon. “Longing for more adventure? Do you wander these hills at night alone, I guarantee you will find more than you want.”
“I have had my fill of adventure, thank you.” She yanked her arm away. Connor clapped a firm hand on her shoulder.
“Duncrieff is that way.” She pointed, twisting.
“And Glendoon is this way,” he said, propelling her along.
“There is no reason for me to stay at Glendoon now.” She spoke breathlessly, for he was setting a hurried pace. “You married the wrong sister. You did not want me for a bride, and so—”
“I have not made up my mind yet. Watch those rocks there.”
She sidestepped them. “I must go home. My sister is away, and I am the only one who can help my brother. I cannot stay at Glendoon doing naught while you take your time deciding what you want. What about what I want? Let go!”
“There is nothing we can do for your brother now,” he said. Too late, the words were out. She looked at him quickly.
“We?”
“You are not the only one who would help Duncrieff, if it can be done,” he said. “If there is any new information, I mean to find out.” He needed to discover if the man was alive or dead, but could not reveal that to his sister. Not yet.
“Thank you for wanting to help my brother. But I do not want to stay at Glendoon.” She pulled away, and he gripped her shoulder again. “You simply do not understand!”
“Nor do you understand, lass, how is dangerous it is to wander these hills, especially at night. Nor is it safe for you to go to Duncrieff without an escort. Your brother insisted that you stay with me. I gave him my word on that.”
“You and your word! What surety do I have that he asked all this of you? Beyond a paper,” she added, “with the wrong sister’s name on it.”
“Your name is on the page. I am sorry that it was misinterpreted—”
“Misinterpreted!”
“—and my word is enough, my girl.”
She drew a sharp breath. “I do not believe there is any threat to me. Just you. But if you feel so strongly about it, take me to Duncrieff Castle and see for yourself that I am safe. And then leave me there.”
“I cannot risk being seen at Duncrieff just now,” he said. “You know that.”
“The MacCarrans might be after you for stealing the chief’s sister? That hardly convinces me that my brother wanted any of this! Besides, my sister is the one who needs a watchdog,” she added. “She is involved in—well. I should not say. I do not know for certain.” She looked away.
“I am aware of your sister’s interests,” he said, marching her along beside him toward Glendoon and safety for them both. “To be honest, I believed I was to marry her to keep her from getting deeper into some kind of quicksand.”
“Well, I am not trouble for you, as she would be, so you can let me go.”
