“And I can leave anytime. For any reason. Nay questions asked.”
“That’s what I vowed, isnae it?”
She studied him for another long moment. Then, finally, she nodded. “All right. I’ll do it. I’ll be yer bairns’ governess.”
Relief flooded through Elijah,so strong it nearly staggered him. He hadn’t realized how much he’d wanted her to say yes until the words left her mouth.
This is a mistake. Bringin’ her into yer home, around yer children. Ye’re goin’ to get attached, and then she’ll leave.
He shoved the thoughts aside.
“Good,” he said, keeping his voice level. “Then let’s get ye back on the horse. We’ve still got a long way to go.”
He moved to help her mount, but Piper held up a hand.
“I can do it meself.”
“The horse is sixteen hands high, lass. Ye’ll need?—”
“I said I can do it meself.”
Elijah bitback a smile and stepped aside. Piper approached the horse, who eyed her with what might have been amusement, and tried to pull herself up. She made it halfway before her arms gave out, and she slid back down.
“Ye were sayin’?” Elijah asked.
“Shut up.” Piper tried again, with the same result. On her third attempt, she finally swallowed her pride. “Fine. Help me up. But only because the horse is unreasonably tall.”
“Of course. The horse is completely at fault here.”
“Are ye mockin’ me, Laird McMahon?”
“Wouldnae dream of it, Miss Armstrong.”
He grasped her waist and lifted her onto the horse’s back, then mounted behind her. This time, when his arm settled around her waist, she didn’t stiffen quite as much.
Progress.
“How long until we reach yer castle?” Piper asked as they started moving again.
“Another day, maybe less if we keep a good pace.”
“And yer children?”
“Aye. Masie’s twelve, Connor’s nine.”
“Do they ken ye’re bringin’ home a governess?”
“Nay.” Elijah grimaced. “They’re goin’ to be… surprised.”
“Surprised or angry?”
“Possibly both.” He felt Piper tense. “But daenae worry. They’ll come around. Eventually.”
“Ye daenae sound very certain of that.”
“I’m nae certain of anythin’ when it comes to me children, lass. But that’s why I need ye.”
They rode in silence for a while. The tension between them had eased slightly—not gone, but not as sharp as before.
