“I ken, ye misunderstand,” Erskine spoke with strength, “but Billie is like him. Should we nae be protectin’ someone like our brother? Someone who couldnae defend themselves very easily?”
“Ye realize how crazy this sounds,” Dearg was shaking his head.
“It is just for the journey, Dearg. We’ll take him to Inverness. That is all.”
“Very well.Yelook out for him then,” Dearg pointed a finger in his chest. Erskine looked down at the sudden contact, amazed by it. He pushed it off his chest quickly. “If we meet highwaymen or thieves on the road,Iwillnae be distracted by lookin’ out for a foolish lad.”
“Aye, as ye wish,” Erskine agreed, having no problem at all with the idea of protecting the boy.
“Ye seem very taken with the boy, Erskine,” Dearg folded his arms as a smirk tilted his lips, momentarily breaking through the anger. Erskine did not miss the derogatory note in Dearg’s tone.
“Daenae be an eejit,” Erskine mirrored his stance, folding his arms. Both tall, standing in such a way it was clear they were matched in height. “I am nae relentin’ on this. Billie comes with us.” He was not sure why he felt such a need to protect the boy, but the feeling was growing into an urgency.
“Aye, very well,” Dearg looked away, loosening his arms and preparing to leave his side. “I suppose the heir to the lairdship’s orders must always be followed…” Dearg’s muttered comment made Erskine hesitate before following.
What a strange thing to say.
As the two brothers crossed the room, Erskine’s gaze lingered on Billie, who was clearly hopeful in the way he sat forward in his chair, eager for their return. Dearg’s comment of Erskine being ‘very taken’ with the boy had wormed its way under Erskine’s skin.
He could not deny there was something about the lad, something different, but he reasoned with himself that he was simply curious to know more about Billie, that was all. There was no more to his curiosity than that.
“We have discussed it, at length,” Erskine exchanged a weary glance with Dearg before returning his gaze to Billie as they reached the table. “Ye can come with us. We leave at first light.”
In response to his words, he saw Billie’s face spread into a smile—it was the first full smile the boy had worn, and it took Erskine by surprise. The boy certainly had very petite features.
Why am I noticin’ that!?
Chapter Four
As the sky began to lighten the following morning, turning the sky from black to a milky gray, Laura was animated as she prepared to leave, uncertain which of the two emotions she was feeling grew greater in her: happiness or anxiety. Part of her was thrilled with her plan! Surely her father would never think to search for her travelling in the company of a son of a Scottish Laird. Also, the thought of travelling such a distance in the company of that handsome Scot was thrilling to her.
As she left her room, hurrying down the stairs and out of the inn toward the stable, she thought much of Erskine, unable to shake the captivation she was feeling. He certainly did not have the refined manners of an English gentleman… that was plain to see in the way he had gulped his ale and eaten his food the night before, but she had never seen such a handsome man. Neither had she ever hung upon someone’s words so much.
Perhaps I am losing my good sense? I cannot afford to be distracted right now!
She had an objective to accomplish: to cross the country and find Miss Ava Buchanan. Distracting herself with Erskine could do her little good.
As she reached the stable and Erskine came into view, preparing the horses and clearly being in command of the party preparing to leave, she thought of something else that made her uncomfortable with her attraction to him. If he discovered her secret, discovered who she really was, he was unlikely to appreciate the reasoning behind her lie. From what she had seen last night, he was a principled man and would be infuriated at being so duped.
“Ah, there ye are,” Erskine turned to look at her as she reached the horses.
“Sleep well, Billie?” Dearg called from his place atop another horse. “Or did ye enjoy the company of the young woman who took such a likin’ to ye last night?” His words prompted Camden and Aiden to laugh, though neither Erskine nor Tam did.
“I slept perfectly well by myself,” she replied tightly, deciding she had little liking for Dearg. She neither liked his attempt to stop her from joining them nor his sense of humor.
“Ignore him,” Tam said as he handed her a bundle of food to place in her satchel. “He is merely jealous the woman took nay likin’ to him,” Tam smiled as he returned to his horse.
“He is right,” Erskine explained as he pulled forward his own steed. “In fact, it is probably best to ignore Dearg for the length of this journey,” he lowered his voice so only Laura could hear him. “Ye recovered from yer shock yet of the courtesan’s approach?” He spoke with a small smile.
“Not quite,” Laura answered honestly. “I have not heard of the thing she suggested before.”
“Ye are young!” Erskine laughed good-naturedly. His laughter was different to his brothers, and he was warm and friendly, whereas Dearg’s was belittling. “Whatever she whispered to ye, trust me, Billie, when ye are older, ye will most likely like the idea of it just as much as any other man.” He turned to attend to the saddle, allowing Laura to hide her blush by pulling the brim of her hat further down across her face.
She found herself imagining doing exactly what the courtesan had said, but the two people involved in her particular imagination were Erskine and herself. It made the blushing grow worse, and a spark set off through her body.
“Ye well?” He walked around her as he attached another bag to the saddle.
“A little cold is all,” she lied, but it was a good excuse as to why she was pulling her hat lower on her head and lifting the collar of her thin jacket to hide her cheeks.
