“Lass, I appreciate the boldness, the courage, but I cannae force this,” he responded, not pulling away from her grip. “The other clans already think I’m a villain. What would they think if I claimed Laird MacPherson’s only daughter as me own?”
“That’s nae… I’m willin’… I am…”
“Ye dinnae look it,” he quipped, looking over her frightened features. “Is this truly what ye want, lass? I willnae suffer yer sadness in the weeks or years to come, and I cannae have an enemy in me own home.”
“I’ll go. I’ll go. If it will end this senseless war, I’ll go with ye now,” she declared, her eyes wide but sincere. “Please, Laird MacAllister. We can end the violence, and I think we may have things in common…”
Amused by her reaction, Alexander once again shared a look with his brother over her head. A yawl from where the orange cat sat beside the fire, flicking its tail at them, drew their attention.
Helena smiled fondly at Mags. He somehow always felt the need to be the center of attention.
“That creature is a demon. He looks at us as if he understands us!” Michael exclaimed, wariness evident on his face.
“That’s because he does.” Helena walked over to the feline, picked him up, and cradled him in her arms once more. “Dinnaetell me ye are a superstitious lot. He is not dangerous, just needy.”
“He’s nae comin’ with ye, lass,” Alexander said firmly.
He wasn’t going to ride a couple of hours with a cat ready to spook his horse and make him throw them off at any moment.
“Aye, he is, Me Laird. Mags goes with me everywhere. Where I go, he goes,” Helena retorted, her voice unyielding. “Besides, me faither kens I would never leave willingly without me cat.”
“Speakin’ of leavin’, lass. How exactly will yer faither ken that we didnae kidnap ye? That ye came with us of yer own free will?” Michael inquired suspiciously
“Well, I… Ugh!” she sputtered. “I had a bit of foresight in the matter. I left him a letter statin’ that I left to meet with ye. To marry ye.”
Everyone was frozen for a long moment, the men stunned into silence, each looking at the other. Finally, Alexander cleared his throat, nodding.
“Well then, let’s leave before yer faither tries to stop us and take ye back before we’re married. We cannae risk an objection from an emissary or a priest.”
“Ah, aye, probably for the best,” Helena agreed, blushing. “I didnae tell anyone of me plans to meet ye. Faither wouldnae have allowed it.”
“That’s what I thought. Alexander, time to go.” Michael went to the horses.
Helena collected her bag, not letting go of the orange tabby cat until he was tucked securely in it.
“Ye’re nae bringin’ that thing along, I said. It’s a two-hour ride. It will scream the whole way,” Alexander protested again, his voice barely above a grumble.
“Nay, he willnae. He’ll be fine. He’s ridden in me bag since he was a kitten. I’m nae leavin’ him behind,” she retorted firmly. “Either we both go or neither of us goes.”
Alexander debated continuing arguing with her for a long moment. Eventually, he decided that the cat would likely scamper off when it got tired of being confined. It really wasn’t worth arguing over.
“Fine. Helena, ye ride with me,” he commanded as he mounted his bay, only glancing briefly at his brother, who was rolling his eyes.
Helena didn’t look very happy about it as he turned the horse to stand beside her and extended his hand to help her up into the saddle.
“Any objections to bein’ in the arms of yer future husband for the next couple of hours? It’s a long ride,” he taunted.
The blush that crawled up her neck and cheeks was well worth the effort.
It didn’t take her long to recover. She cleared her throat and schooled her features into a fearless mask, feigning bravery.
“Nay, nay objections. I’m sure ye can restrain yerself from any unwelcome advances until our wedding night. Right?” she countered, pinning him with a serious look.
Alexander smirked, now fully amused, as he gripped her hand and pulled her in front of him.
“Oh, ye dinnae even ken how much I can restrain meself, lass.” His voice grew raspy as her intoxicating scent, the warmth of her against the hard length of his body, tickled his senses.
The ride back to MacAllister Castle was going to be a long and trying one. His thoughts must have been plain on his face, for he received a chastising look from Michael as they fell into step behind his horse.
