Page 17 of Moon Awakening

Emily nodded and then had an inspiration. "Laird?" she called.

He looked at her, his expression thoughtful.

"Cait and I need a moment of privacy."

His dark brow rose, the only indication he gave that he heard her.

She felt a blush climb her cheeks. "To, you know…"

Lachlan had to bite back a smile, which was a very different reaction for him. He wondered if he should tell the women he spoke Latin as well? Not yet.

Since he knew their plan was to try to steal horses, he wasn't concerned about allowing her the moment of privacy she asked for, but he did wonder what she thought it would gain her.

"Be quick," he barked.

She jumped, nodded and turned to hurry into the bushes. Cait was right behind her.

He listened to them as they left.

"He's awfully surly, isn't he?" the Englishwoman asked.

"He's laird," Cait replied.

"And that's his excuse for rudeness? I don't know why I'm surprised. It's your brother's as well."

Mention of her husband, the Sinclair laird, irritated him and Lachlan scowled.

"They're spirited lasses, aren't they?" Drustan asked from beside him.

"That is one way to put it," Lachlan growled.

"Cait called me a horse's backside."

"I heard."

Drustan laughed. "I'll have her apology tonight, along with other things."

Lachlan nodded. "Be gentle with her. She's carrying."

"The Balmorals don't hurt women."

"I know that."

"They don't bed other men's wives either."

A warning growl rumbled low in Lachlan's throat. "I know that as well. But if her husband has bedded her, I'll bury my claymore. She's too damn innocent."

"And that bothers you?"

"Yes," he bit out.

"Would it be easier to keep your hands off her if she weren't, do you think?"

Lachlan had no answer. He had never anticipated wanting an Englishwoman and would sooner tear out his own throat than bed another man's wife. But he wanted this purple-eyed spitfire… enough to make his body rigid with desire and his sex ache.

"I should have left her in the forest."

"You could still leave her. The Sinclair is probably only a couple of hours behind us."