Rachelle ignored them, and instead, eyed two horses tethered a few feet away. She approached them slowly, thenfumbled with the reins of the one she liked best. After she mounted, she stared at the shameless lovers. “The night is short,Aaron McNally.” She purposely left off his title. Such a man didn’t deserve distinction.
“In a hurry to get away from here?” he asked.
“You must know nothing pleases me more.”
“Don’t forget this.” The maid handed Aaron the leather travel bag.
“Thank you,” Rachelle said.
“Don’t mention me to anyone,” Aaron instructed Frida as he climbed on his horse. “I’ll find you after I return.”
“Secrets have a way of catching up with you,” Rachelle warned.
“Oh?” The snake twisted in the saddle to look at her. His guilt betrayed itself. “I’m sure we’re capable of outrunning it.”
Even though she despised her riding companion, Rachelle left Tyr’s steading with hope in her heart that she’d soon be reunited with her uncle.
Chapter Fourteen
Truth
Rachelle should havebeen content. But Aaron’s excessive laughter revealed his sin. He’d refused to answer any more questions and simply gawked at her as they rode. She’d learned early in life to trust her instincts and this escape wasn’t meant to benefit her. Apparently, when she overindulged in wine, that bit of wisdom fled her mind. There was no one to blame, but herself. After several hours, the scoundrel halted. Not only did she dislike looking at him, she could barely tolerate his endless chatter, constant complaints, and proximity.
“Do you wish to know why a Scotsman calls Norway home?”
Hopefully he didn’t expect an answer. The man didn’t know how to be silent. His sharp gaze didn’t leave her. “You’ll tell me regardless of what I say.”
“True,” he said. “I feel obligated to enlighten you, so you fully understand why I’m doing this.”
“Is there ever an acceptable reason for betraying your family? You can’t bully me into believing you.”
In response, Aaron circled Rachelle twice.
“Think you so little of me?”
“I feel nothing for you, sir.”
“Are all English lasses so bitter?” His expression hardened. “I’ve been deprived of the wealth and glory my grandfather promised me after my father died. He banished mefrom Inverness—accused me of stealing. My family is well-established; we’re prominent merchants with long-standing trade agreements with many notable Scandinavian families, including the Sigurdssons. I never wanted to come here. After spending the last five years groveling at my cousin’s table for what scraps he was willing to fling my way, I’ve decided to take advantage of what favorable circumstances I have.”
“You’ll find no sympathy here.”
He huffed, then turned his horse in the direction they’d been riding before. Rachelle eyed the dark landscape. Overhead, the Norwegian moon shed considerable light. One thing she admired about this wilderness was the nighttime sky. Never before had she seen so many stars blazing at once. Yet, she couldn’t fault Aaron for missing his homeland. The unprecedented beauty of the Scottish countryside was unmatched.
Observing their direction, she suddenly discovered her guide’s lies and treachery. He was leading her away from the coast and deeper inland. For the love of God, she’d been so absorbed in her own thoughts she’d failed to take notice earlier.
She stopped, considering escape. But where would she go? Trees surrounded her on all sides.
“Do you need to rest?” Aaron dismounted. He walked to her side, then offered his hand.
“No.” She didn’t want his guilty hands touching her. “I’m quite capable of dismounting on my own.”
He combed his fingers through his thick hair. “I know why you stopped. You aren’t very observant,” he commented. His gaze traveled up and down her body.
“I should never have trusted you.” What a contemptible liar he’d turned out to be.
Aaron remained outwardly calm, but she knew what simmered underneath his cool exterior—anger and jealousy and hatred. What was her part in all of this?
“Something troubling you, milady?”
