She and her guardsmen had just crested the hill behind the building when a tall, lanky man came out to greet Alex. Meg’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she recognized the newcomer. He was one of the band of warriors who’d helped rescue her party in the forest. At the time, he’d struck her because of his youth and comparatively less fierce visage.
I knew it,she thought.Let Alex try to deny it now.But why had he lied? Why did he not want anyone to know it was he who’d come to their rescue that day in the forest?
Alex must have the instincts of a wolf. She had only just come into view, but he sensed her immediately. His head snapped around, and piercing ice blue eyes locked on to her. Even from a distance, she could feel the force of his anger. Anger that sent a shudder of trepidation reverberating through her body.
Which she promptly ignored.
Meg would not allow fear to get in the way of discovering the truth.
However, a bit of her bravado faltered under the ferocious onslaught of fiery rage. He really was quite menacing. She thought for a moment about returning to the palace, giving his anger time to dissipate, but she had a feeling he would follow her anyway. No, it was best not to show weakness, Alex would only smell blood. Stiffening her spine, she informed the guardsmen that they would take refreshment at what she now realized was an inn. Meg rode into the yard, pretending not to notice the fierce glare of the man waiting for her.
He looked different. It took her a moment to realize that he was dressed as he’d been the first time she’d seen him—in the traditional garb of a Highlander. He wore a fine woolen plaid of the softest blues and greens over a saffron linen tunic, secured at the waist with a thick leather belt and impressive dirk attached at his side. After weeks of being surrounded by colorful silks and satins, thebreacan feileandleinethat had fallen out of favor among the Lowlanders was a powerful reminder of home.
But it wasn’t longing for home that was twisting her stomach in knots. It was the sheer magnetism of the man standing before her. Her mouth went dry just looking at him. Every inch the fierce, battle-hardened warrior who had rescued her, he looked big, strong, and heart-stoppingly male. It was hard to believe this was the same man who’d beaten her at chess a few hours ago. Perhaps it was that very dichotomy that drew her. And gave her reason to hope.
As she moved closer, she realized her error. Alex wasn’t just angry, he was enraged. He strode toward her, every muscle of his body taut, taking the bridle in hand as if to forestall any thoughts of escape.
Gathering the reins of her courage, Meg lifted her chin and met his withering stare. “Laird MacLeod, what a surprise to find you here.”
Alex didn’t bother to respond; instead he turned to the young clansman at his side and said in a hard, clipped voice, “Robbie, take these men inside and get them some refreshment. Mistress Mackinnon and I have some things we need to discuss.” His eyes fell on her, billowing her with heat. “In private.”
When it looked as though her guardsmen were about to argue, Meg waved them inside, assuring them she would follow in a moment. She couldn’t help noticing that the young warrior Robbie was gazing at her as if he felt sorry for her. As she watched them leave, a chill swept over her despite the warmth of the midsummer sun. Hesitantly, her gaze shifted back to Alex. Her pulse quickened. They were all alone.
Without a word, his hands circled her waist and he lifted her effortlessly from the saddle as if she weighed no more than a child. For a moment, she was pressed against him, and the familiar rush of pleasure softened her limbs. But she barely had time to savor the sensation before he’d set her firmly away from him, as if he didn’t trust himself not to take out his anger on her person in an entirely different manner.
It shocked her to realize that the idea of his hot, violent passion didn’t frighten her as it should.
His voice cracked like a whip. “In the stables. Now.”
Meg bristled at his tone, digging in her heels. “Here will be fine.”
A dangerous glint sparked in his eyes. “Either you can go on your own two feet or I will carry you there myself. But I don’t think you will like how I do it.”
Outraged, Meg pursed her lips together and walked as proudly as she could into the stables. She was relieved to see a couple of stable lads tending to a massive black horse that she’d seen once before. Her relief, however, was short-lived.
“Leave us,” Alex ordered.
The lads took one look at him and scampered out as fast as they could. Chivalry was truly dead, she thought, watching them leave without a backward glance. As soon as the lads were gone, Alex rounded on her, his eyes pinning her to the ground. But he didn’t touch her. She almost wished he would grab her arms and shake her; the dead calm on his face was infinitely more disconcerting. Unconsciously, she took a step back. “I warned you not to follow me. If you were a man, you’d be dead right now.”
From the flatness of his tone, Meg did not doubt that he meant it. “Well, it’s a good thing for me, then, that I’m a woman.”
Apparently, now was not a good time for sarcasm. His eyes flared, and Meg could tell by the way the muscles twitched in his forearms that he was holding himself by a very thin thread. A very thin thread indeed.
“You test my patience, little one. Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to play with fire?” His voice went deceptively soft. “You might get burned.”
“You are making far too much of this,” she said nervously. “I only thought to ride through the park, I had no intention of following you. But then I saw you, and…well, you can hardly blame me for being curious. You made no mention of riding today.”
“I was not aware that I had to explain my comings and goings to you, Mistress Mackinnon.”
Meg felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. He was right, of course. He had no obligation to invite her along or inform her of his plans. Nor did she miss the formal mode of address. He was trying to put distance between them.
“You should never have left the palace,” he continued. “I thought you agreed to have care until the men who attacked you are caught.”
Was part of his anger because he was concerned for her safety?
“I brought an escort. Surely you would not see me chained to the palace for no good reason?”
His nostrils flared. “Almost being killed isn’t reason enough? And I told you that I would watch over you. You should not have left without telling me.”
