Page 2 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

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A few days earlier...

"Ach, dinnae say ye’re afraid o' being beaten by a lass!"

Aileen's eyes flashed playfully at the lad squirming in front of her.

Squirming was the right word. The bashful young guard cast down his head and cleared his throat in an attempt to bite down his embarrassment.

At nineteen, Aileen Duncan was only just beginning to realize the effect she was having on men. And it was not something she was shy about.

Aileen smiled sweetly at the lad, adding a craftily hidden wink when she was sure the others weren't watching. She had to be careful. If the elders saw her, there would be hell to pay.

But they weren't there. A side sweep of the training ground assured her that the coast was clear, and she could begin having her fun in earnest.

Keenly, she looked into the youngest lad's face. A circle had formed around them, the elder guards watching on in amusement. Smiling at the slight young soldier, Aileen felt a dart of regret go through her. It was almost too easy to wind him up.

Faltering under her gaze, the slender lad perspired. "Nay, it's just, it'll nae be fair, that's all, ye ken, a lad versus a lass..."

The lad threw his watery gray eyes from side to side, as if desperate not to meet her gaze. Enjoying his discomfort, Aileen smiled gaily.

"Really?" said Aileen. It was midmorning. The weary fall sun was slowly making its appearance across the castle training grounds. It was a dull day, and Aileen was more than ready to help spice it up. "Because, och, I'd love to learn from ye all..."

Her amused blue eyes pierced the throng of men. All of them were watching, their eyes flaring hungrily at the spectacle of this slender, beautiful lassie.

Aileen flicked a length of her dark red-brown hair across her shoulders and carried on talking. Today, she was dressed for adventure - her simple white arisaid flowing around her and contrasting with her deep flame hair.

In vain, Aileen attempted to keep her locks in check as a side wind took them, splaying her dark reddish hair all across the place. She had been told many times to be chaste, wear a caul, but as ever had ignored them all.

Nervily, the youngest lad looked shiftily to the others. His gray eyes darted from side to side.

"Well, och, alright, miss," he said, sending an expectant little glance to the older guard. The soldier, a round, beefy man with a red-colored face, nodded abruptly.

Aileen was led across the training ground to the edge where the horses were. The lad patted a sturdy-looking gray stallion and made to leap upon it. He indicated a second horse, a small mare that Aileen was unfamiliar with.

On seeing the mare, Aileen shook her head. "Nae," she said. "White Star over there..."

The lad looked around, "Alright," he said, beckoning to the stable hand to bring the horse. Shortly, White Star came trotting into the training ground, and Aileen duly mounted.

Now both mounted, Aileen trotted after the lad, a demure expression fixed to her face.

"Now then, about racing, ye see, miss...," the lad began. Behind them, the rest of the regiment looked on. She could see their curious eyes and got the distinct feeling that they were laughing at her.

Aileen held her poise and nodded seriously. The lad smiled at her unsurely.

"See,if ye want yer horse to respect ye, ye have to begin by showing it who's boss'," he began, making a big show of sitting firmly on the horse. "So ye need to sit up straight, wi' yer shoulders back, like this..."

Aileen watched him, squaring up on the gray stallion. An expression of intense concentration swept the lad's face - his brow furrowing intently. He looked so ridiculous that Aileen hid a smile.

Still, she followed the lad's instructions, raising her shoulders and sitting upright on the horse. "Like this?" she asked, hopefully.

A wind rippled around the training yard, bringing with it a shower of leaves fresh from the castle grounds.

"Aye," nodded the young lad. He cocked his dark-blond head sideways, picking up the reins on his own horse. "Like this," he demonstrated. "Ye've got to show the beast who's boss..."

"An' then?" said Aileen, a giggle rising up in her throat. Quickly, she sent it back down. She raised her eyes expectantly. "Am I ready to go?"

"Och, no," chided the lad, as, from the other end of the yard, the guards sniggered under their breath. "Ye’re nowhere near ready yet, miss. Next, ye have to..."