Her sisters, of course. And he was right. Though she trusted them because they were her blood, she still did not quite believe their story about a prophecy foretelling their arrival.
He pushed off the stable wall in a slow, languorous motion that reminded her of a graceful lion. There was something about him that was alluring in every way—aside from his good looks. He appeared to be a hardened warrior, someone who knew his way around a battle and how to use a sword. The muscles in his hands and forearms were evidence of that. She found she was drawn to him in a way she had never been drawn to anyone else.
He moved deeper into the stable, his gaze never leaving hers and it sent a shiver of delight right through to her very core.It was not wise to allow herself to get caught up in the charming young Highlander.
Jamie reached for the nose of the horse she still stood next to and patted it.
“Since ye already have the horse saddled, we may as well go for a ride.” He made a motion for the stable boy. “Fergus, my horse.”
“You mean, ride like in the grounds?”
“Och, no. I mean outside the gates.”
She almost refused but then stopped herself. Here was a handsome young man asking her on a ride. It was impossible to say no.
“Is it safe?” she asked.
He chuckled, that smile lighting up his eyes. “Aye.”
Fergus brought his horse and handed over the reins. Jamie took them and mounted in one fluid movement. Her heart beat wildly as she hoisted herself up into the saddle of the gray horse she’d tried to commandeer. Together, they trotted out of the stables and toward the portcullis. As they headed through the bailey, she caught a glimpse of Evie stepping out the door. Their eyes met for only a moment as Brianna looked away. She didn’t want to deal with her sisters right now.
They exited the castle grounds with Jamie in the lead. Brianna followed closely behind and for the first time in her life, she felt a sort of freedom that made her heart light. She’d spent her adult years as a nomad, moving from place to place and seeking solace in the arms of rich men who weren’t interested in long-term relationships. That worked for her at the time, especially after a marriage that had lasted only a year to a man who was emotionally unavailable.
That failed marriage had caused a rift between her and her parents. The twins were young at the time and had no idea of the heartache and hell she went through. She’d bottled that up and buried it deep inside to never think of again.
Jamie led them away from the castle to a cluster of trees swaying in the late afternoon breeze and beyond that, the loch where the lastremnants of sunlight flickered over the waters. He came to a halt there under the trees and dismounted. She did the same.
He turned to her, reaching a hand out, which sent her heart thudding harder against her chest. It was a simple gesture but one that made her melt. When she took his hand, he laced their fingers. Together, they walked from the trees to the loch.
“It’s beautiful here,” she said and meant it.
She had never seen the likes. Frothy waves spilled over the craggy shore with that soothing rhythm she’d come to adore about living beachside. But this was no beach she was used to.
“Aye,” he said.
He lifted their clasped hands to examine the burned imprint of the stone on her palm. With a gentle touch, he traced the outline of the lines, sending delicious shivers rippling through her.
“Does it hurt?” he asked.
“No,” she said.
Even so, he lifted her palm to his lips and pressed a kiss in the center. A breath shuddered out of her at the unexpected tenderness. Butterflies erupted in the pit of her stomach, a feeling she had not had in so many years, she almost didn’t recognize it. Her pulse quickened, thrumming under the surface. But she knew it for what it was—raw, undeniable attraction.
“Jamie, I—”
“Mayhap I shouldna have kissed ye, lass, but I cannae resist.”
She blinked, surprised by the admission. “You don’t even know me.”
A hint of a smile played upon his lips. “I’ve watched and waited for ye to arrive.”
At that, her heart thudded hard against her chest. There was something endearing about the way he said it. Something that made her pulse race in concert with the fluttering that had taken up residence in her gut. Even so, there had to be a realexplanation for that.
“Because of my sisters. They told you I would come?”
“Nay.” He shook his head.
“No?” The butterflies continued to flutter. She resisted the urge to press her hand against her stomach to calm them.
