His dark eyes bored into hers. “You can say whatever you like, lass, but it will not change the fact that we cannot be…” He stopped. “I cannot be anything to you, other than your escort to Edinburgh, and eventually back to Drumloch.”
“What if I don’twantto go back?” she blurted out in a sudden flash of anger.
Something wild blazed in his expression, as if he was tempted in that instant to steal her away forever, to throw her over the back of his warhorse and gallop off into parts unknown.
But then his eyes turned cold again and he kicked in his heels. “Then I’d think you were very foolish.”
He took off in a quick gallop, then slowed to a walk just ahead, leaving her behind to ride alone.
Catherine sucked in a breath and fought to crush the heavy aching sensation inside her heart. This was not fair. None of it. She didn’t care that she was a nobleman’s daughter with a sizable inheritance. She didn’t want the money or the jewels or the gowns or anything else that came with her privileged social position. All she wanted was to be a normal person, to remember her life, to perhaps know the sister who had been torn from her at birth. She wanted to love whomever she wished to love. And she wanted to help Lachlan rid himself of that wretched curse that was keeping him from her.
Perhaps her twin would be able to help her with a few of those things.
She wondered uneasily how Raonaid would react to seeing her own mirror image for the first time.
Did she even know she had a sister? And would she be welcoming?
***
“Would you like to stop for the night, Lady Catherine?”
Catherine started at the appearance of Alexander MacEwen, the young scout, who trotted up beside her when she had been, quite frankly, in danger of drifting off to sleep and toppling off her horse onto the grassy moor. They had been riding for many hours, and her muscles were aching. She felt clammy all over.
Shaking herself awake, she strove to smile. “I beg your pardon, Alex. I did not hear you approach. I suppose that means I am in need of a respite. Perhaps it would be prudent to stop. I’m sure the horses could use the rest as well.”
“I’ll ride ahead and speak to Lachlan,” he replied.
Catherine shifted uncomfortably in the saddle while he galloped off. He spoke to Lachlan briefly, then wheeled his horse around and galloped back.
“I know a cave not far from here,” he explained as he slowed his horse to walk beside her again. “Lachlan is familiar with it. We’ll stop there for the night, and Gawyn will cook us a hot meal.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She was eager to stretch her legs and feed her groaning belly.
She and the young Highlander rode in silence for a few minutes across the wide moor, flanked on both sides by grassy mountains. A wolf howled somewhere in the distance.
“How is it that you know this country so well?” she asked Alexander.
“I used to hunt a fair bit with my father, and I did some scouting during the uprising. I learned quickly how to avoid the redcoats and get from one place to another without being seen. I found all the best places to hide away for a night or two.”
She studied his profile in the dusky light. He was a handsome young man, slender, with a clean face and strong-looking hands. His hair was shiny and brown and cropped short, unlike most of the other clansmen, who wore bushy beards and unkempt hair.
“I see why Angus sent you along with us,” she said. “You seem very capable.”
He surveyed the moor judiciously. “I’d do anything for the great Scottish Lion. He’s a good husband to my cousin, and he’s a fair chief to the MacEwens.”
“And what about Lachlan?” she boldly asked. “What do you know of him?”
Alexander glanced the other way when he spoke. “I’m afraid I don’t know much about him, my lady, other than the gossip I’ve heard.”
Her heart thudded against her ribs. “And what, exactly, have you heard?”
“That he’s a highly skilled warrior and very brave,” Alex quickly replied. “But he also has a reputation with the lassies. I’m told they all swoon when he walks into a room. I’ve also heard there’s some sort of curse that keeps him from taking a wife.” He awkwardly cleared his throat and shrugged. “But what do I know of it? I only met him for the first time this morning. He seems like a decent enough fellow. Angus is loyal to him, and that’s good enough for me.” He glanced at her curiously. “What about you, Lady Catherine? I understand you have no memory of your life. That cannot be easy. It’s no wonder you are out here, searching.”
“Searching.”She inhaled deeply and looked up at the dusky sky. “Yes, that is exactly what I am doing. I continue to hope that something will happen that will spark a memory. Without any recollection of the things I have seen and done, my life seems rather meaningless.”
He spoke with a kindness that touched her heart. “I am sure your memories will come back to you, my lady. I often forget things,” he added, “and then one day, somehow as if by magic, I remember. You just have to relax, and try not to force it.”
He turned in the saddle and whistled to the other Highlanders who were following at a short distance. They urged their horses into a canter.
