Page 138 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
He heaved in a breath. “Sorry. You’re right.”
He looked so frustrated she wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss away all his troubles. Unfortunately, she was also the source of one of those troubles.
“All right, Heckie. Take Miss Knight back to the inn at Arrochar. You can both return to Glasgow tomorrow.”
Victoria wasn’t having it. “I’m not returning to Glasgow.”
“You cannot walk over the pass,” Nicholas said in a tone that suggested she was an idiot.
“I don’t see why not. I’m a very good walker, and I’m wearing boots as sturdy as yours.”
“You are not used to walking in the Highlands in the winter.”
“It’s not that cold, and you know it. Heckie, how long will it take?” she asked.
Nicholas glowered. “You are not—”
“How long, Heckie?”
When the groom cast an uncertain look at his employer, she couldn’t blame him. Thankfully, Nicholas simply fumed in silence.
“With a little luck, mayhap about forty-five minutes,” Heckie finally said. “Most of the track is in full sun, so ice shouldna be a problem.”
“Oh, splendid. Just a nice little stroll,” the earl said.
She glared at him. “If I do not come with you to Kinglas, then all this has been for naught. You’d better reconcile yourself to the fact that I’m going.”
“You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met,” he said.
“And you are the most pigheaded man I have ever met. Now, might I suggest we set off? Dusk will come soon enough, and we can’t leave these horses standing any longer.”
Nicholas yanked his hat off, scrubbed his head, then slapped his hat back on. “Fine. Heckie, wait at the inn in Arrochar. Captain Gilbride and some angry fathers might be showing up there before too long. I will have to depend upon you to apprise them of our situation.”
“Aye, sir,” the groom said with only a slight wince.
Nicholas helped Victoria descend, then Heckie climbed in and turned the carriage around. The earl struck off across the snowy field toward the west side of the glen, setting a steady pace.
“Keep up, Victoria,” he tossed over his shoulder.
She stuck her tongue out at his back but hurried to catch up.
“If you walk in my footsteps, it’ll be easier,” he said.
“I’m perfectly fine.”
He headed for a group of boulders that marked the base of the path. The first part of the climb was an easy switchback, but then the trail straightened out and began to rise at a fairly steep angle up to the ridgeline. Within a few minutes, Victoria was puffing and scrambling to keep up.
Nicholas, of course, was making it indeed look like a nice little stroll.
Soon, he stopped next to a large rock beside the path. “Take a bit of a rest. We’re almost at the top.”
“I don’t need a rest,” she gasped.
He took her by the shoulders and gently guided her down onto the rock. Since it was in full sunlight, it felt surprisingly warm. Not that she needed it, since she was perspiring from the climb and no doubt red-faced. While her feet were cold and one was damp from where snow had overtopped her boot, she could still feel her toes when she wriggled them.
“It’s easy to fall on the way down,” he said, “especially when you’re tired. Just catch your breath for a minute.”
“You’re not tired at all, are you?” she asked wryly.
