“Again,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
A frown creased Marian’s face as she shot him a look before turning back to the horse. She gathered her skirts once more and placed her foot in the stirrup with more care this time.
She pushed herself upward and stalled halfway. “I cannot…”
The words had barely left her lips when Lachlan stepped closer. His hand wrapped around her waist, and she sucked in a breath as he hoisted her atop the horse in one swift, effortless motion.
It was as though she weighed nothing. The world shifted beneath her as he guided her up into the saddle, and for a moment, she forgot the situation entirely.
His hand lingered on her waist for half a heartbeat longer than necessary before he stepped back.
Marian straightened at once, her fingers tightening around the reins as though she had been composed the entire time.
“Thank you,” she said quietly, refusing to meet his eyes.
Lachlan nodded and then moved to the other side of the horse, mounting right behind her. His heat seeped through the layers of her dress, and she froze for the fraction of a second.
Heavens help me on this journey.
She swallowed thickly, wrapping her shawl tighter around her shoulders, as though the flimsy material would provide as much of a barrier between them.
“My Lady,” Lilly called, her lips twitching as she obviously fought back a smile. She extended her arms, passing her the cloak she’d been holding. “I can no longer come with you.”
Marian’s eyes narrowed slightly at the obvious statement.
Oh, you little traitor.
“No worries, Lilly,” she said, taking the heavy cloak from her. “It is not your fault.”
Lilly was still smiling when Lachlan reached around Marian and pulled the reins to get the horse moving.
She stiffened. His strong presence immediately enveloped her. A strong mix of his warmth and his intoxicating scent filled the nonexistent space between them, and she found herself breathing him in.
Oh my…
The horse picked up speed beneath them as Lilly waved, and Lachlan’s muscles flexed around her as he handled the reins, the rough terrain throwing them closer together until his chest was pressed firmly against her back.
Marian could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest behind her. Her breath came in uneven gasps as she tried and failed to steady herself.
She told herself it was the horse’s movement. But it was not.
Finally, she gathered her breath to whisper his name with whatever was left of her composure, uncertain he would even hear her. “Laird Lachlan…”
“Aye, Mairi,” he muttered into her ear, and another shiver skittered down her spine.
Her body melted against his, and she felt as though she would fall off the horse, were it not for his muscular arms.
“Could you…” She stilled herself against the rapid beat of her heart. “Could you perhaps ride a little slower?”
Lachlan fell quiet for a moment, and she could not decide if he was laughing or truly thinking about it. Eventually, he released his grip on the reins slightly, the horse slowing down.
“Aye, Mairi,” he murmured against her ear, and it sounded as though he truly meant it. “Whatever ye wish.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Murray Castle came alive long before they even reached its gates.
Music carried through the air in lively bursts as Lachlan’s horse slowed down. Fiddles and drums wove together with the sound of laughter, filling Marian’s ears before they even reached the courtyard.
