“Keep watch for what?”
Instead of answering, he closed the carriage door and swung up onto his horse. Within minutes, they were rolling out of theDouglas castle courtyard and onto the rough Highland roads. Elijah kept pace with the carriage, scanning the landscape with practiced eyes.
These roads were notorious for bandits, and while he wasn’t particularly worried about common thieves, there were other threats to consider. Like men who’d be very interested to know he was traveling with minimal protection.
Men like Duncan MacLeod.
The thought made his jaw tighten. Catherine Douglas’ brother had been sniffing around McMurphy lands for months, testing borders, probing for weaknesses. If he learned that Elijah was traveling light...
“Something troublin’ ye, me laird?”
Elijah glanced over at Henry, who was riding on the other side of the carriage. His friend’s casual tone didn’t fool him. Henry had noticed his tension.
“Just thinkin’.”
“About our new lady?”
“Among other things.” Elijah’s eyes flicked to the carriage window, where he could see Iris’ profile. “What do ye make of her?”
“Spirited,” Henry said immediately. “Got fire in her, that one. She reminds me of yer late wife.”
“Daenae.” Elijah’s voice was sharp enough to cut glass.
Henry held up his hands. “Dinnae mean anything by it; just observin’ that ye seem to have a type.”
A type.
Elijah almost laughed. If Henry only knew how wrong he was. Margaret had been nothing like Iris. In fact, she had been quiet where Iris was bold, obedient where Iris was defiant, fragile where Iris was strong.
“The lady seems to handle herself well,” Henry continued carefully. “Stood up to ye back there like she wasnae afraid.”
“She should be afraid.” The words came out as a hard growl.
“Should she? Or is that just what ye tell yerself to keep from gettin’ too close?”
Elijah shot his friend a dark look. “Guard yer tongue, Henry.”
“Aye, me laird. Just sayin that ye push away every woman who might actually make ye happy.” Henry’s tone was deceptively light, but Elijah heard the concern underneath. “Maybe this one’s different.”
“She’s me wife because I needed a wife. Nothin’ more.”
“If ye say so.”
Before Elijah could respond, the carriage window opened, and Iris’ head appeared.
“How much further?” she called.
“Several hours yet,” Elijah replied. “Why? Are ye uncomfortable?”
“Nay, I’m bored.” She glanced around at the rugged landscape surrounding them. “And I’m startin’ to wonder if it’s safe to be travelin’ with so few men.”
Henry laughed. “Ye hear that, me laird? The lady thinks we’re nae enough protection.”
“Is that what ye think?” Elijah guided his horse closer to the carriage window. “That we cannae keep ye safe?”
Iris lifted her chin. “I think two men against an entire band of brigands doesnae sound like good odds.”
“Depends on the men.” Elijah’s smile was as sharp as his blade. “Tell me wife, what do ye ken about me reputation?”
