Chapter 3
Sheona workedhard to ignore the man behind her, but it was impossible. With every move they made, some part of her body rubbed against his. They were not travelling fast, but the canter was enough to ensure constant contact between them. It bothered her—he botheredher.
She’d been as far south as the Cullins, but not beyond. Her father, Rory MacLeod, clan chief, had promised to take her to the mainland many times. Each attempt was thwarted by another MacDonald attack. In an ironic twist, the clan preventing her from seeing the rest of Skye was responsible for thatexposure.
Once in the mountains, if she could get away from him for just a moment, could she find her way out? If so, then what? Walk back to Dunvegan? She wasn’t familiar with enough of the land past Glen Brittle forest to find her way. No, she needed to make a break from him as soon aspossible.
A travelling female only had oneweapon.
“I need to relieve myself, my lord. We muststop.”
“We will not stop until we’ve put enough distance between us and Dunvegan Castle. You will have to holdit.”
“I cannot, my lord. So unless you wish me to soil your saddle, you will stop your horse and let me find someprivacy.”
She grinned when she heard him mutter, “cursed woman” under his breath. Sheona looked around. They had just passed Beinn Dubh. She knew this area well enough to find the coastline and then follow it back to Bracadale. From there she could easily find her way back to Dunvegan and away from thesebrutes.
MacDonald steered the horse to a wooded area and hopped down. He gripped her waist and pulled her off the horse, turning her toward him when she was firmly planted on the ground. He leaned down until their faces were inches apart, making her pulse quicken. He was so overwhelming she could scarce draw breath. So big. So powerful. Sovirile.
“You may walk twenty paces into those woods and relieve yourself. I will be right here and will be watching you the entiretime.”
“My lord, I would like someprivacy.”
“You will not have it. If you wish to relieve yourself, you will do it like this or you will hold it. Is that clear?” He scowled at her. “And Maggie-Meg? Do not attempt to run or you will regretit.”
She clenched her fists into balls. Curse the man for his foresight. No matter. She could run fast. And run shewould.
Sheona counted twenty paces and was pleased when it brought her to a large tree. Rounding it, she stood at the back of it so that if he tried to find her he would walk straight past. She waited several moments and when she heard branches crack from his approach, she tore into arun.
She ran until her legs cramped and her lungs burned. Before long, powerful arms encircled her waist and pulled her to the ground. Air rushed from her body as his larger one pinnedher.
“I told you not to run, did I not?” His voice was agrowl.
He flipped her over until she lay on her back and he atop. His breath came in great pants as he stared hard into her eyes. His body pulsed above hers and stirred something within; some need to feel more of him, to have him even closer. She shifted beneath him, causing the dagger at her inner thigh to move toward her outer thigh. She prayed he did not feelit.
He leaned down until their lips almosttouched.
“You have disobeyed me, lass. Do you know what thatmeans?”
She couldn’t think, let alone speak with him sonear.
“Well since you appear to have lost your voice again, I will tell you. There will be no privacy for you on this journey. If you wish to relieve yourself, you will do so with me watching, and you will do so with your hands tied. Be thankful,” he said as he rose and pulled her to her feet. “I will bind your hands in front ofyou.”
“You will answer for this.” Too late she realized she had over-spoken for a tradesman’sdaughter.
“Is thatso?”
Before Sheona could react, he reached down and pulled up her skirts. He shoved his hand between her legs and gripped the dirk he’d not located before. He raised it up and surveyed the handle and hilt. He straightened, pulling her upright aswell.
Damnhim.
“Your blacksmith father does good work. And it appears he also makes a good deal of coin for his efforts.” He twirled the knife in his hands. “Unless, of course, you are not a blacksmith’s daughter and are either a thief,or—”
MacDonald took a step toward her and she instinctively took a step back. “If you are not a thief, Maggie-Meg, you must be the owner of this fine weapon. And that would mean you are alady.”
Sheona held her breath. Her secret was about to be revealed and her mind raced with the implications of what he would do once he found out exactly who shewas.
“I will give you one opportunity to tell me who you are. Believe me, lass, your fate will improve if you simply admitit.”
