Page 36 of The Lady of Her Highland Clan

"Maybe it's a sign," she teased him. "That I am right, an' ye’re wrong."

She smiled sweetly. Clyde pursed his lips together, and for a moment, Fiona thought he was going to pout, then he grinned.

"Och, alright," he conceded, smiling. He stroked his horse's head thoughtfully. Then he looked at Fiona. "But ye've got tae admit, my way is certainly more interesting."

Fiona looked thoughtful. Nodding, she conceded. "Aye, if interesting is Greenock speak for strewn with muddied burns, bedeviled by wild beasts, an' generally beaten around by the winds, then aye, it is more interesting, certainly."

She stopped and looked, a sly smile curling around her pertinent mouth. Slowly, Clyde's light-green eyes melted.

"Wild beasts?" he said, bringing his horse into step with hers. Now they were both seated with their heads to the sky, gazing into the far horizon. "Och, what are they?"

An amused grin started on the edge of his face. Fiona cocked her head over to his.

"Och, I thought ye would ken, with it being yer clan an' all," she said, smiling. "But this here is the known haunt o' the Scottish Wildcat, an' from what I hear, it doesnae take well tae having its habitat invaded."

"Och, muck," said Clyde. The grin tapering around his cheeks stretched wide. "I'm nae afraid o' no pussy cat!"

But by now he was following on, trotting side by side with Fiona, his light eyes darting every now and then over to hers.

For the time being, the clouds had parted, and there was the faintest glimmer of sunshine ahead. Winds easing off, Fiona glanced at Clyde.

"So, noo we are headed the right way," she began, with a little wink to him. "Hopefully, we should be at the glen afore sundown, so what say we make this journey a wee bit more interesting..."

Her eyes reached into his. She could not help but admire the sheen of his skin beneath the harsh morning light.

"Say we race for it, first one gets tae keep the loot!" Her eyes flashed enticingly. Of course, she was only joking, but her smile was all the invitation Clyde needed.

"Ye’re on," he said, tugging the reins of his horse. "An' may the best man—or lass—win!"