Page 45 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

She smiled. This was as close as they were getting. She knew it could be no more, but the pull from his magnetic eyes reeled her in.

"Nay," said Scott sadly. They were standing dead still by the edge of the grounds. Everyone had gone; it was quite safe. "It cannae be... but...och, it doesnae mean we still cannae ha' some fun."

Aileen's eyes nearly leaped out of her head. Seeing her expression, Scott laughed.

"I mean, there's another race tomorrow, an' if ye’re well enough, perhaps we could go. This time wi’ nae falling off horses!" Scott beamed suddenly, his smile piercing the coldest part of her.

"That's if ye think ye’re well enough?"

Aileen considered it for half a moment. "Och, I'd say I was well enough."

Well enough? Wild horses would have had to keep her away! The race was to be held in Greenwick, a small town not far from the castle.

Getting there would be their first challenge. And when it came to traveling, Scott had one rule.

"Ye’re nae wearing that clanging suit o' armor!" he said with a laugh. It was first light the next day, and Aileen was preparing to climb aboard White Star.

Aileen tried to tell him that, in fact, it was still at McLeod's castle when Scott interrupted her.

"An' ye’re nae riding that wee horse." He put his arm out to stop Aileen from mounting White Star. In dismay, Aileen turned around.

"Why?" she asked, perplexed. "I'm alright noo!"

Scott shook his head. They were in the stables, the hum of the morning buzzing around the cloistered air. "Nay," he said, with a perfect smile. Aileen wanted so much to press him against the stable wall and kiss him.

There was nothing stopping them. This idea grew and grew in Aileen's mind until it became a full-on vision.

"First thing," said Scott, "ye’re nae alright. Second thing, we cannae risk ye breaking yer daft but

perfect wee neck in a fall. Third thing, it's nae far away, an' someone may recognize yer wee horse."

Aileen appeared to think about this for a moment. "Alright," she said slowly. "I use one o' the others?"

Scott shook his head. "Someone from this clan is bound to be there. I spoke to the guards, an' they'll recognize any o' these horses. No, it's best if ye ride wi' me!"

Aileen's heart leaped. This she had not been expecting.

"Ye ride wi' me, disguised as a lad, maybe an apprentice guard. I can lend ye a plaid from the McLeod clan. No one will e'er suspect a guard taking a laddie under his wing."

Scott certainly seemed to have it all worked out. For a moment, a thought flashed into Aileen's mind. Had he done this before? He sure seemed well versed in sneaking about!

Then again, so was she! Smiling, she followed Scott to his horse. She could not compete in this race but never mind.

Climbing atop of Scott's horse, Aileen succeeded in twisting her ribs but then got the most amazing payoff. The view across the glenside stretched out for miles onto the horizon.

Pressing into Scott's shirttails, Aileen cast her head down and held together as they ran. Maybe she was not racing, but this was just as good.

Gritting her teeth against the wind, Aileen leaned in. It did not take long before they had arrived at the Greenwick races. Every step of the way made Aileen even more determined.

She would not give in, not ever, and marry this other man. The yield of Scott's body, as she leaned in toward him, gave her a buzzing thrill. Holding him close, she had not wanted to stop and dismount, and it was with reluctance that she leaped down from the large stallion.

Already, the race was underway. Aileen turned around. The air was thick with rain, although it appeared it was not showering. A cold breeze had come into the air, and the Greenwick lands were even more exposed than their own.

"I won't be a minute," said Scott, dismounting at speed and disappearing mysteriously. Bewildered, Aileen looked around.

For a small place, there were a lot of people present, and suddenly, Aileen realized Scott had been right to take care. She could already see at least three clansmen.

Adjusting her lengthy brat, Aileen struggled with her masculine clothing. In the melee, she could run into anyone who recognized her. Pushing her hood fully over herself, Aileen prepared to be as hidden as much as she could.