Page 44 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

Within a few minutes, she arrived at the yard. By the time she had gotten there, a throng had built, clapping and shouting as Scott went head-to-head with one of the guards.

"Come on, lad!" Scott yelled. He grinned wildly at the blond soldier from the sentry line. He had the lad in a headlock and was tousling goodnaturedly.

The lad he was sparring with pushed and pulled but could not get his head free. Laughing, Scott released him and then slapped him on the back.

"Nae bad, but ye’re gonna need a few more lessons 'til ye can take on the might o' the McLeod clan!" He grinned.

Aileen almost added something here herself but managed to bite back her tongue when she saw the sheepish look on the guards’ faces.

The Duncan soldiers grumbled between themselves before eventually conceding defeat. The blond sergeant shaking hands with Scott and going back to his duties gave Aileen a swift salute, leaving both her and Scott together in the yard.

"So," said Aileen, the first chance she had. She strategically waited until the last Duncan guard had retreated to a safe distance. She looked into Scott's face, weather hewn and fresh in the early morning light. Even first thing, he still looked ready to take on the world.

Aileen looked into his face and marveled. There never seemed to be a time he was not ready for action. "Ye off noo then? Job done an' that?"

Perhaps the way she looked at him betrayed her thoughts a little too much. Whatever it was, Scott's demeanor changed immediately.

"I...wish things were different," he said unexpectedly.

Aileen looked surprised. "What do ye mean?" she asked. She had not anticipated this reaction. She had thought his coldness the other night had been a genuine reaction. Now, though, she was not so sure.

Suddenly, Aileen shivered. Perhaps it was the sharp wind that went around the Duncan training ground. Maybe she just hadn't dressed properly. But at this point, she barely noticed. All she really had eyes for was Scott's face.

And he was looking at her seriously.

"I mean..." said Scott, hesitating. He looked as if he would like to move closer, but there were still guards milling about behind them. Instead, he ushered her away, edging closer to the end of the grounds.

Following him, Aileen watched closely.

"I mean, och, I dinnae ken. I am sorry, Aileen," said Scott.

Immediately, Aileen felt her heart thumping away.

This is it. He's going to...finally?

But if Aileen was hoping for Scott to sweep her up, she was disappointed. He did not lean in to kiss her, but he did move close enough for them to be doing so.

The tension was overwhelming. The shadow of Scott's face covered her. His lips hovered tantalizingly close to hers. This was painful.

"I...wish I didnae ha' to be the one bringing ye to marry a man who..." Scott paused, breaking off. It looked as if he was choosing his words carefully.

Aileen's head spun. She had so many questions she did not know where to begin, but instead of interrupting, she waited for Scott to finish.

"For someone who doesnae deserve ye," he said finally. "I ken ye dinnae want this marriage, an' well, I dinnae blame ye."

Aileen's heart warmed instantly. "Och, it isnae yer fault."

Finally, they were far enough away to speak unhindered. Taking the initiative, Scott draped his arm around Aileen. It lay there, tingling her shoulders and sending her entire body into a state of emergency.

A good emergency.

"Aye, maybe, but I dinnae ken," said Scott. "If I hadnae brought ye back to McLeod Castle, ye'd nae ha' ended up in this predicament...an' maybe..."

And maybe?

Aileen's eyes flashed in excitement. Hold on, it sounded awfully as if he was about to suggest that maybe he had feelings for her.

Unsure what to say next, Aileen burst out, "Och, an' maybe I would ha' died there an' then, aye," she said, with an easy smile. "No, lad, ye didnae ha' a choice. Neither o' us did."