One of the stable hands hurried forth to hold Theodore steady while she mounted and settled her pretty bottom into the saddle.
“Well, gentlemen? I am ready to depart. Shall we venture onward?”
Lachlan looked up at her, sitting proudly and cheerfully in the saddle while she looked down at all of them with a charming enthusiasm that sparked around him like fireworks.
After a decade of seducing countless, nameless women who wanted nothing more from him than a quick tumble in a haystack—and never once becoming besotted with a single one of them—this feeling in his gut plagued him. His desire for Catherine was insatiable, and it was dangerously distracting.
But somehow,somehow, he had to find a way to accept that he could not have her. He certainly could not make love to her, and he didn’t think he could manage all the other things without it eventually coming to that. Which created a problem. For although he was a renowned Scottish warrior who faced death and doom without hesitation on the battlefield, he did not know if he was strong enough, or brave enough, to resist the tempting allure of Lady Catherine Montgomery.
Clearly, she was the greatest challenge of his life.
He had never wanted her more.
Chapter Twenty-one
The first full day of travel passed quickly, the moments weaving together into an impressive tapestry of changing landscapes, which were as beautiful and moving to Catherine as any grand opera or priceless work of art.
Earlier in the morning, when the cool Highland mist hung low over the dewy grass in the meadows, they had trotted across the castle bridge, galloped over the field toward the east, and slipped gingerly into the cover of the forest, where autumn leaves detached themselves from the treetops and floated lightly to the ground all around them.
Alexander, the youngest clansman and closest to Catherine’s age, had ridden ahead to scout out their route, and returned after an hour to discuss the best options with Lachlan, who rode several yards in front of Catherine.
The other three Scots rode behind her, and though there was no one to talk to, she could not complain of boredom—at least not yet—for the journey itself was enough of a challenge and distraction to keep her mind occupied.
Late in the afternoon, they were forced to cross a fast-moving river, and Catherine had to coax and wheedle Theodore down the slick muddy slope to reach the water. They slipped and skidded at the bottom, and together plunged into the icy river with a heavy, shocking splash that pulled a gasp from her throat.
Theodore kept his footing over the slippery rocks below the surface while the cold water swirled around them and penetrated Catherine’s skirts to the tops of her thighs. At least the sound of the rushing water drowned out Theo’s panicked whinnies.
When they reached the other side and galloped up the bank, she ran her hand down his russet neck, gentling him. “Well done,” she said. Her own heart was racing, and she was relieved to have made it across.
She looked up then, to find Lachlan watching her intently.
“Are you all right?” he asked, waiting for her just ahead in a grove of junipers.
“We’re fine.” She urged Theodore into a light canter and rode past Lachlan, to lead the way. He soon caught up with her and trotted alongside.
“Do you know which way we should be going, lassie?” he asked.
“I haven’t a clue,” she confessed, “but I am confident that you will rein me back in if I lead us astray.”
He glanced over his shoulder to check on the others, who were out of sight, though Catherine could hear them shouting as they crossed the river.
“We shouldn’t ride together,” Lachlan said. “The others will be watching us, and they will soon suspect something. They will see what is obvious and know that I have taken certain liberties with you, which I had no right to take. We must guard your reputation from this moment on.”
Catherine’s mood dipped sharply at his sudden penchant for propriety. “I told you last night that my reputation is already in ruins. I don’t care what anyone thinks.”
“But I have no right to your affections, lass. Nothing can happen between us, and you know that.”
Her temper flared unexpectedly, for she had been waiting so long just to be with him. She had hoped to secretly flirt during the journey, perhaps sneak off and be alone. She’d dreamed of being kissed in the moonlight, like she was kissed in the stable the night before. She had thought of little else since the moment he left her in the feasting hall, but now his words wounded her. She wanted to shout at him but somehow managed to keep her voice steady.
“Why would you say such a thing? You have every right to my affections, if I wish to bestow them upon you.”
“But you shouldnotwish to. That is the point. It’s not wise.” He lowered his voice, glancing over his shoulder again. “I will not lie to you, Catherine. You know I desire you, but Angus was right to send the others with us. They will keep me in my place.”
“Is it because of the curse?” she asked. “Because soon we will reach Raonaid, and I will do whatever it takes to convince her to set you free.”
He shook his head. “It’s not just that. It’severything. I shouldn’t have kissed you last night. I shouldn’t have come to your bed yesterday. All of that was wrong. It will only make things more difficult.”
A frosty chill hung on the edge of his words, and she reacted with anger at the rejection. “What things? You talk about it as if it is all about you, andyourchoices. Do I not have any say in this?”
