Page 10 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

Sensing that he was not getting anywhere, the man with the sparkly eyes stepped backward. Aileen was about to use this as an opportunity to escape when a sudden sight stopped her dead.

It was Billie.

They were off!

Aileen wasted no time pulling away from Billie. Within minutes, she was pulling ahead, driving White Star as fast as she could. But the speed of the race could not compete with the madness in her head. Inside, she was reeling. Firstly, the man with blue eyes, pumping her for information, and secondly, totally out of the blue, her brother!

Taking the reins of the young gelding, Aileen bade him to go faster as she whizzed through the hillsides. Riding at speed was good for clearing her mind. Which was just as well, as right now, it was rather cluttered.

Inside, a voice chided her: Ye should have kent Billie would turn up! He said as much, after all!

Aileen leaned in close, becoming one with the horse. Summoning up all of her strength, she set her sights on the horizon.

Yes, Billie had said he was coming—to watch. Aileen had no idea that he was actually taking part! She'd thought he would be safe on the sidelines somewhere, most likely in the McLeod estate hall, tasting the whiskey.

But no, he was there, almost hot on her heels, speeding after her in his black and white stallion.

Every time she pulled away, it seemed he drew closer. And all the while, Aileen's heart was thumping.

He must recognize her. There was no way he couldn't, surely? But every time she looked around, there was no trace of it. As far as she could tell, there was no recognition in his face, just blank determination.

Aileen grinned.

She had to hand it to Billie; he was giving his all. And she had to admit, he had impressed her. Not long ago, he would have bragged about competing in such a race. But over the years, he had matured a little. Now he was no longer the impetuous kid he had used to be.

Even so, Aileen was determined to outrun him. With a sideswipe, she looked about. Billie had fallen behind, but she was not about to rest on her laurels. She would not be happy until she had left him behind. For one thing, even if Billie hadn't recognized her wearing his old armor, she was sure his horse had!

The snarling stallion had been spooked by something, and Aileen was sure it was White Star. The pair had a fractious relationship at best. Heart pounding, she nudged White Star to go a little faster, finally leaving Billie in the clear.

Thundering over the dark gray landscape, Aileen surged into the open skies. The scene was set for rain, threatening to come down any minute. At least in the armor, Aileen didn't have to worry about that. In fact, she barely noticed the weather or the skies. The only thing on her mind was the ride ahead.

Miles of open skies stretched out. The route was long—all around the McLeod estate, taking in the forests and the loch, and then back at the start line.

A blast of trepidation took Aileen as she settled into a pace. White Star was galloping fast but not so hard that he would burn out straightaway. Aileen wanted to pace herself.

As the wind blasted past, Aileen felt a twinge of regret. Suddenly the urge to throw off her helmet overwhelmed her. She wanted to feel the wind through her hair. But it was too risky.

Carefully, Aileen steered a course through the dense woodland. She had quickly come up to the forests, which bordered onto the McLeod lands. It was only when she reached the center of the trees that she realized she was on her own.

Glancing about, Aileen could not see any other racers. For a minute, she felt unsure. Had she veered off course?

Aileen looked at the sky. For the first time, she noticed it was raining. Droplets shook the leaves. Beneath their verdant canopy, she kept mainly dry. Glancing through the glade, Aileen noticed that they were mainly green. It was as if fall hadn't happened in this reach of the McLeod lands.

Then she looked again. Maybe they were evergreen? But a second glance confirmed they were oak. White Star slowed to a trot. Warily, Aileen looked around. Suddenly, it felt as if a pin could drop.

The birds, which had been singing, were suddenly hushed. Even up above, there was nothing and nobody in the skies.

Just as she wondered if she had veered off course, a rush of hooves told her she was not. Tugging at the reins, Aileen moved faster. Now White Star was trotting, crackling swiftly through the undergrowth, picking up speed as they went.

They were behind her. Whoever it was, was gaining ground. Fearing that it was Billie, Aileen was drenched in a cold sweat. Losing was one thing, but being found out was another. Urged to go faster, she kept up the pace, driving a beleaguered White Star harder still.

Somehow, they stumbled on until she was finally clear of the forest. Blinking out into the light, Aileen glanced behind. This was the first time she had dared to look since entering the woods.

The rider on horseback was still behind her, but it was not until she had put the woodland behind her that she saw them.

A tall rider in a dark cape was behind her. For a moment, Aileen thought it was him—the man with the blue eyes. But then, as he neared, she saw it was not. All the same, he was upon her.

Determined not to lose her lead, Aileen sped ahead. Up until this point, she had been in the lead—something which was only just dawning on her. From behind, the fury of the race gathered in speed. She could hear them all, braying and calling, and from the sides, the chants of men shouting and yelling.