Page 25 of Betrayed by His Highland Wife

"Ye're braw," said William reassuringly. He was close enough to touch and extended his hand a little to the curves of her back.

Instantly, Nora clammed up.

The tenseness of her body left him in no doubt as to her feelings, and suddenly, William was in doubt. He was about to say something when a voice boomed through the bright light.

"Och! Ye're up an' aboot vera early this morning!"

William tensed, but then smiled at the same time. He turned to hear the source of the voice. Beside him was the laird, Nora's father. But through the strong light, he could barely see him. All the same, his amusement was present in his voice.

Before he could answer, Nora turned toward him. "I could say the same for ye, Father. In fact, I am rather surprised. After last night… Ye were so blootered I am surprised ye havenae fallen off yer horse."

Nora's reaction surprised him. Suddenly, she seemed to warm up, although there was still a trace of hesitation in her words.

Emerging from the stables, William looked around. Nora was watching her father expectantly, as if waiting for his permission. William frowned. Perhaps this was not so strange. After all, he was her father. But there was something a little off about their interaction. Through the early morning haze, he could not put his finger on it. Maybe it was the strange little looks they kept sharing. William was sure he was not imagining them.

For a moment, Laird Douglas's brow clouded. Then it cleared. He grinned, but it was a fake smile. Even William could see that. In fact, even his horse could.

William's large destrier suddenly whinnied loudly and unexpectedly. It knocked Nora off-kilter, spooking her horse. For a moment, she was tense and pale. As William took the time to resettle her, he saw Douglas watch her with cold pallor.

"Och, 'tis naught," said the laird dismissively. "Yer wee mare is a rag-bag o' nerves. Ye may be able to tell that my lass isnae a morning bird." The laird winked as William watched Nora uncertainly.

What is going on between those two? William wondered, as Nora got her mare back into control. Now, the three of them trotted off awkwardly, filing out of the stables and toward the courtyard.

Silently, they proceeded, clopping through the training grounds to the main gates and out from the sentry post. Awkwardly, William glanced, checking to see if the laird was still behind them. He was. Briefly, his eyes flashed at Nora, who looked away. It was impossible to tell what she was thinking, and even less so her father.

Slowly, they trotted on. It took what felt like forever, and by now the three of them were some miles away from the Duncan castle's gates. But with every step, William's irritation grew. He had reckoned on being alone with Nora, not in the presence of an escort—not least her father.

For a while, he toyed with coming straight out with it and asking how long he was planning on staying out. William's head was churning. He had only thought the laird was accompanying Nora down here, not staying for the duration and definitely not acting as his daughter's shadow.

By now, they were at the family hunting lodge on the edge of the estate. It was a secluded little place where William had pictured spending some time alone with Nora. Bringing his horse to a stop, he dismounted and smiled pointedly.

Helping Nora get down, he took her hand and showed her the vista. From his horse, the laird looked around.

"I can show ye the lodge," said William politely, but his eyes said plenty more.

The laird got it. Finally.

"Ach nay," said the laird, backing off. He tugged at his stallion's reins, beginning to turn the horse around. Then, he fixed William with a quizzical glance. "I ken where I am nae needed," he said, his eyes flitting to Nora.

William smiled, looking away, but from the corner of his eye, he noticed the laird leaning into Nora and whispering something discreetly. Turning his head to look, Laird Douglas pulled away, wearing a grin.

Clearly, he had not been meant to overhear whatever it was between the two of them.

For her part, Nora did not respond, leaving William wondering.

Then, the laird smiled again. "Forsooth, I shall leave ye love birds to it." Then he turned to William again. "So, dinnae do anything that I wouldnae, lad. Dinnae fash, that leaves ye lots o' room."

To his intense horror, Laird Douglas winked, making Nora shudder and William's cheeks color. As they watched him go, William's head was in a total lather.

Unsurely, his eyes darted to hers. What on earth had her father said to her? She appeared to be flinching. His heart sinking, he wondered if she even liked him at all. Confused, he smiled at Nora. He really could not fathom her at all. Last night, she seemed so keen. What happened this morning?

The wind rippled in the sky above, sending the svelte white and gray clouds scudding. With the breath of early spring air, William sighed, leading Nora to look around.

"'Tis bonnie, for sure," she said, glancing at the glen. Then she turned back to the hunting lodge, eyeing it curiously. "Is anyone at home?" she asked shyly.

William, seeing her interest, immediately came to her side.

"Nay," he said, with a smile. "At least, I hope not!"