Page 26 of Betrayed by His Highland Wife

Grabbing her hand, he led her inside as the birdsong deadened from outside. Once inside, William adjusted his eyes to the light. It was dark, so he guided Nora carefully, helping her across the threshold and through the tiny house. The narrow windows, just slits in the wall, were shuttered up, and the scant light there was just streaked across the dark floorboards in small bursts.

William took her hand and was relieved that she did not immediately pull it away.

"Come," he said, leading her across the darkened room toward a small table with some stools.

Carefully, he set her down before making to open the windows. Light crept hazily into the dark room. Nora glanced about, her eyes taking in the grayish shades of the cottage.

"The Duncan hunting lodge," explained William, taking a tinderbox that was placed by the fire and lighting a spark. It took some time before he was successful, and as he worked, Nora watched. "'Tis for the use o' the family." William hesitated, then smiled. "An' their guests."

In the dark, he felt her body heat on him. It felt awkward and compelling at the same time. Suddenly, he began to wonder if going there was such a good idea.

Panicking, William set himself his brightest grin and faced Nora.

"Ye have some braw hunting lands," said Nora assuredly. Her perfect eyes peeked over the window and looked out. "I can see noo why the Duncan clan is so prized for the hunt."

Excited, Nora smiled, then grasped William's arm. Startled, William started, wondering what was up, then Nora pointed.

"The hart," she said, her voice quivering. "'Tis so near!"

William followed her finger; just outside the hut was a white hart staring right at them. Nora smiled excitedly as William gave a low whistle.

"Aye," said William, whispering.

The pair of them sat awhile, watching. William pulled Nora to the window ledge as they gazed. Eventually, the hart ambled off, but not before another flock of deer hurtled across the glen side.

When they had dispersed, Nora turned to William excitedly. "Och, I havenae seen a hart like that so close."

She sounded so sincere that William's heart had a flutter. Not a few moments before, she had been tense, guarded, but now she was like a child once more.

"I'm glad ye liked it," said William, with the beginnings of a grin. It was cramped in the cottage, and suddenly, he had the desire to put his arm around her. For some reason, he thought it would be well received, but despite this, he did not quite pluck up the courage to do so.

Instead, he moved a little closer and leaned into her ear.

"Why dinnae I show ye the rest o' the clan?" he said gently, helping her up.

Beaming, Nora pressed her face to his. The scent of the woman overwhelmed him. This was too much. If he weren't careful, he would end up kissing her.

The thought of kissing Nora burned inside him. In his haste to be gone, William almost pulled away, but instead gently led her back outside again and to their horses.

Side by side, their respective horses seemed to be getting on alright, with William's destrier leaning to nuzzle Nora's silvery mare. Watching them groom one another, William made eyes at Nora.

"Ready?" he said, indicating the horse. Nora's eyes looked quizzical. William hesitated. "For the mount?"

Grinning, Nora leaped back atop of the mare, whinnying with slight surprise to find herself being saddled so soon.

After a while, they trotted along, searching for the source of deer, passing along the ravine to the glen. On the way, they took in several flocks of sheep dotted along the hills. For a while, they rode, with Nora taking everything in, then finally, in the middle of the ravine, with nothing else around, Nora looked quizzical.

"Where are they? Yer shepherds?" she asked, stretching her arms about. She indicated the horizon, which was empty.

William just grinned. "Dinnae fash. They have their hooses just dotted about the horizon," said William, increasing his speed. Together, they trotted slowly, negotiating the small brook in the center of the glen.

"Ye have many things ye can teach us," said Nora diplomatically, as she gazed around. Everywhere she looked, there was a sheep. It was as if she were in a daze.

William laughed. "Och aye, there's a lot o' things we can teach ye," he teased, then, at the thought of what he had said, he reddened.

But instead of laughing the comment away, Nora turned to him with a serious expression on her face. The heartbreaking look in her eyes made William a little uncertain.

"I would like that," she said, as William felt his heartbeat increase. "I would like that a lot!"