“Yes, they were quite posh,” she lied quickly, wondering how many lies she was racking up now.
“Right, nae so stiff, try and relax.” When Erskine placed a hand on her shoulder, she found his instruction twice as difficult to follow. She was now excruciatingly aware of that hand. “Daenae straighten yer arm so much, give it the smallest of bends. When ye shoot, there will be a recoil, and the bend will help to absorb it.” She did as he instructed. “Now, for aim, lift it a little higher.”
She lifted the barrel up, bringing it to her eye line.
“Good, now,” he bent behind her slightly, presumably bringing his tall frame down to her short level to look down the barrel. Laura found herself thinking more of how close his chin was to her shoulder than of the gun. “Look along the barrel, aim into the hay bale, and squeeze the trigger. There will be a sharp recoil and a good spark. Whenever ye’re ready,” he whispered the words, creating a tickling sensation around her neck. She was thinking more of the spark that his words caused than the spark from the flintlock pistol. “Though sometime soon would be preferable.”
At his tease, she pulled the trigger. She was not expecting the sheer force of the recoil. The spark flashed in front of her eyes as the shot was released, and though her arms bent back to absorb the recoil, she tried to step back too. She could not go far and felt Erskine’s hand on her back, holding her forward to prevent a collision with him.
“Nae a good aim, but ye will get better,” he laughed as he took the pistol from her hand, with his other hand still on her back. She was too busy thinking of that touch to even notice where the shot had gone.
“Ah, so it is ye two who are makin’ all this noise?” Dearg’s familiar voice made Laura start. Erskine let go of her abruptly and stepped away. She acutely felt the loss of his touch. “What ye two been up to?”
“Teachin’ Billie how to use a pistol,” Erskine gestured with the pistol before placing it in his belt.
“That all?” Dearg asked, folding his arms and casting a mischievous glance between the two.
“Are the others ready to leave?” Erskine clearly chose not to reply to Dearg’s question.
“Aye, they will be out in a minute,” Dearg smiled as he walked past his brother. Laura was very aware of the glare he offered her as he stepped past her to reach his horse. “Daenae worry, I will keep me back turned if ye wish to spend another minute alone together.”
Laura suddenly caught the tone of his teasing. Her eyes widened as she looked at Erskine. He was shaking his head, his own eyes trained in fury in Dearg’s direction.
Oh, good god… have I been so obvious?
The thought that even dressed as a boy, she had not been able to hide her attraction to Erskine made her panic. She tore her gaze from Erskine and made her way toward their horse for the journey, hurrying to prepare it. What was even worse for her to bear was that her liking for Erskine had exposed him to jests that were unfair. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Erskine still standing by the entrance to the stable. Tall, broad-shouldered, toned with muscle, he had a strong masculine appearance… and from the anger in those green eyes, he detested Dearg’s insinuations.
I am sorry, Erskine.
Chapter Six
After a week of travelling, Erskine had nearly reached his breaking point with all of the teasing. He had a reputation for being quick with his fists, and so far, the only reason he had not responded with equal vehemence on this occasion was the fact that the chief teaser was his own brother. Had any other man started such comments, Erskine would have happily put him in his place with one firm strike to the jaw, abruptly putting an end to the matter. Dearg was the only thing holding him back.
As they travelled through a village in North Yorkshire, Erskine was well aware that the tone of Dearg’s conversation had turned to what was now familiar ground. Erskine tuned out the words as he and Tam steered their horses ahead of the group.
“I swear one of these days, I will nae be able to hold me temper much longer,” Erskine said quietly, as Tam shook his head on the horse beside him. Behind him in the saddle, he felt Billie shift uncomfortably.
“Want me to do it for ye?” Tam asked with a smile. “I’d take great pleasure in puttin’ yer brother in his place.”
“Ah,” Erskine winced. “Then ye would be in trouble for strikin’ a laird’s son.”
“Shame,” Tam glanced over his shoulder toward the others. “I would have enjoyed it.”
“Can we stop?” Billie’s voice piped up from behind Erskine. He looked over his shoulder to see the boy pointing to a small patch of woodland on the side of the village, indicating silently that he needed a privy break.
“Aye, we can,” Erskine confirmed as the travelers’ stable in the village came into view. “The coachin’ inn is just ahead.” As they pulled the horses up outside, he was surprised to see Billie practically jumping down from the horse and hurrying off to the trees. His eyes followed the boy with wonder, suddenly realizing how often Billie would do such a thing, running off to relieve himself before the rest.
“Erskine? We have a little wager goin’,” Dearg was smirking as he tied up his horse behind Erskine’s and followed him out of the stable.
“What kind of wager?”
“On ye,” Dearg’s simple reply made Erskine turn back. Already he was fearful of the words that would come next. “Care to join the wager?”
“What are ye bettin’ on exactly?” Erskine folded his arms, making clear his wary tone.
“Actually, on second thoughts, I am nae certain ye will wish to hear it,” the smile was wicked as he attempted to walk around Erskine. “It is about a subject which is particularly sensitive to ye at the moment,” he made a subtle hand gesture toward the trees where Billie had disappeared to.
Erskine felt anger raise its ugly head inside him. He turned and followed Dearg’s path. Now they were some distance away from the others, he took hold of Dearg’s arm and brought him to a sharp stop.
