Page 9 of Tempted By a Highland Beast
“Aye. Women are constantly basking in me mirth.”
“It could be just an act. Maybe they pretend.”
“And what would be the incentive tae dae that?” he asked.
“Because yer a big, powerful man?”
“Aye, so ye find me big and powerful and handsome,” he said.
“I said big and powerful.”
“We both ken yer thinking the last one,” he said, a huge, ridiculous smirk plastering across his face.
So arrogant!
“How would ye like me tae refer tae ye, please?” She pointedly repeated herself.
He barely knew her, and yet he could somehow get under her skin. He moved closer to her, until there was hardly a breath between them. He tapped his chin as if pondering the question, his eyes never leaving hers. Rowena laughed despite herself.
“I was going tae say ‘laird,’ but truth be told, I’ve never cared much for the sound of it.” He shook his head with mock gravity.
She arched a brow. “Then what would ye prefer,me laird?”
He rolled his eyes. “Now ye’re just being difficult. Constantine is fine.”
“But—”
“Ye’re stubborn, I’ll give ye that,” he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “But arguing with me will get ye nowhere. Ye have tae pick yer battles wisely, lass. Shall we be on our way then?”
Rowena nodded. There was no sense pretending she had better options than Constantine. And she wasn’t so quite sure she would rather have anyone else offering her help right now.
She gave a final look back at Gregor and Hamish, and she startled when Gregor moaned. “They are waking. I think ‘tis time fer us tae leave.”
Constantine moved toward her horse. “Come, then.” He mounted the sturdy garron as if it were his own. His movements were smooth, easy, despite the fresh wound that marred his side.
When she didn’t immediately follow, he turned his head and reached out a large hand.
Rowena stared at him, bewildered. “Dae ye really expect me tae ride on me horse with ye?” Her mind struggled to comprehend his complete disregard for propriety.
“I walked tae the loch.” His tone was simple, matter-of-fact. “I didnae bring a horse of me own. So we shall ride together.”
Rowena scoffed, but really she wanted to shriek.
Daes he have nay respect at all for society?
Was he some sort of recluse who lacked proper behavior?
If she was found riding alone with a man who wasn’t her husband, it would be a scandal of the worst sort. Whispers would follow her if anyone recognized her, and ruin would not be far behind. It was a risk Rowena was absolutely unwilling to take. Not when she needed every ounce of her reputation intact to reclaim her home.
Whatever aid this man might offer, she would need more than brute strength eventually. She would need a partner who understood the weight her name carried, and the danger of so easily discarding it.
Having to be pressed so close, so intimately with a man who evoked strange feelings in her had nothing to do with it.
“Perhaps ye can walk back the way ye came, then.” She jutted her chin. “Me horse and I will follow after ye.” A sensible enough suggestion, surely.
Constantine did not see it that way. “And why will I walk all the way back when ye have a perfectly competent horse here?”
“Because ye and I are nae husband and wife.”
