Page 12 of Captured By the Cruel Highlander
The Laird swung himself up behind her in the saddle, and they began to walk forward slowly.
The clouds were gathering above their heads, and Laird MacNiall put a hand on her waist as she shifted in the saddle.
“I would appreciate it if ye didnae touch me so often,” she said primly, aware she did not entirely mean the words.
He grunted in response, and Emily felt a rush of satisfaction at the sound.
Moving back, she squirmed experimentally, just to see what he would do. He grunted again, more audibly this time, and she smiled to herself.
“Sit still. We have a long journey ahead.”
5
The next few hours of travel were quiet.
The horse lumbered on over the endless grasslands. The wind picked up even more, and there was brine in the air. A storm was coming. Adam could feel it in his bones.
As the castle came into view, his companion seemed relieved by its dark silhouette. She might not know what awaited her within those walls, but she would be more comfortable inside than exposed to the elements.
“That’s MacNiall Castle. We are almost there,” he said, feeling relieved himself.
He wasn’t used to having a woman pressed against him for such a long ride. Keeping his hands to himself had taken a great deal of strength.
She didn’t speak for a little time and then turned to glance back at him in the saddle. “If I’m goin’ to live with ye and go along with this plan of yers, then we need to establish some rules to keep me and me family safe.”
Adam found himself amused by her demands. She looked like a fairy but spoke like a banshee.
Nae a fairy. She is far too mischievous for that. A pixie, perhaps? One of the Fae, to be sure.
“Och, aye? And what rules did ye think of?” he asked.
“Never ye mind just now. But I will think on it, and we’ll agree.”
“Will we?” A spike of irritation shot through him. “Let’s get one thing clear, lass. Any rules will be made on me terms. Ye dinnae have authority here, and ye’ll do as I say if ye ken what’s good for ye.”
She sighed. “Do I need to remind ye that I wouldnae even be here if it werenae for ye?”
“That’s as maybe, but ye’re here because I have a score to settle. Once it’s done, ye can return to yer life, and we willnae have to trouble each other again. Until then, ye do as ye’re told.”
He expected an angry retort, but as he glanced down at her, he noticed her eyelids were fluttering shut. She was struggling to stay awake.
Still covered in mud, her skirts plastered to Buck’s back, she had been through quite an ordeal. The horse was breathing hard with his heavy load, and Adam glanced up at the sky. Black clouds were rolling in from the east, and they might just beat the rain if they hurried.
He kicked his heels into Buck’s flanks, not relishing the dressing down Freya would give him for abusing her horse for so long.
As Buck increased his speed, the woman in front of him appeared to forget where she was, and, bit by bit, she leaned more heavily against him. Her body came to rest against his chest, and he tightened his arm around her.
“Do ye nae even wish to ken me name?” she asked sleepily.
Adam felt a small smile curve his lips. “If ye’re willin’ to give me a real one, aye, lass.”
“Esmerelda,” she said with a wide yawn.
“I dinnae believe ye,” he said, a genuine smile tugging at his lips against his will.
She yawned again, her body becoming heavier. “I’m Emily,” she muttered. “And ye’re Adam.”
In the next few moments, she was asleep.
