“Uncle,” Ethan said, looking to his side, “I don’t ken that I can go with ye.”
“Pardon?” Uncle Leith’s forehead furrowed.
“I have unfinished business in Fettermill. I need tae return.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
His uncle sighed. “Let me guess. This involves a woman?”
“A lady, yes. You see, I have gone and fallen in love with—”
The pounding of horse hooves approaching from the south at a gallop cut off Ethan’s words.
A mare passed them in a cloud of dust.
But instead of carrying on, the rider veered in front of their carriage, forcing the coachman to pull their own horses to a stop.
What in heaven’s name—?
“Stand and deliver!” a familiar female voice rang out.
Uncle Leith shrieked in alarm.
A spark of hope lit in Ethan’s chest.
Laughing, he reached for the door handle.
“Ethan!” Uncle Leith grabbed his shoulder. “Dinnae be daft! There’s a highwayman . . . ehr, highwaywoman—”
“This isn’t a robbery, Uncle.” Shrugging off his uncle’s hand, Ethan stepped from the coach. “I ken what’s happening here.”
Or, at least, Ethan hoped he did.
His weeladrasat atop a lathered horse, breathing hard. She appeared a goddess, fierce and determined.
She was the most lovely sight.
The ember of hope burst into a full conflagration.
“Ye must be mad, lass!” He crossed to her, still laughing. “Ye cannot raid carriages in Scotland.”
“Hah!” She tossed her head, causing her mount to whinny restlessly. “There is only one thing I need from this coach.”
“Please say it is my dashing self?” Ethan grinned, patting her mount’s neck.
“Shameless as ever, Mr. Penn-Leith.”
“I believe ye meant ‘magnificent as ever,’ my lady.”
She laughed, a bright trill of sound.
He held up his arms and she placed her hands on his shoulders, permitting him to lift her from the saddle.
Once she was on the ground, Ethan refused to release her, his arms banding her waist. Her mare tossed its head but remained standing at Allie’s back.
How had it been only yesterday morning that he and Allie had pledged their love to one another? It felt a lifetime past.
