Page 28 of Betrayed by His Highland Wife

But it was deep. The section of woodland was no easy walking, and soon, it was plain to see why he had left the horses there. Glancing unsurely, she looked to check for certain that this really was a place they should be heading to.

William's grin was all the answer she needed, and she was amazed at how little they talked as they went. It was like he knew her already.

So, side by side, they picked their way through the brushland. As they ventured, the silence became deep. Even the birdsong deadened. She did not know why, in fact, it was rather unsettling. But just the feeling of being so far away, in the heart of the woodland, made her feel weak.

Watching him, Nora wondered. He looked so purposed, breaking down the branches in their path and leading them on. What is here? she wondered. If a path needed beating through this thick land, how did the occupant ever get out?

Nora's mind was reeling by the time they approached what she imagined was the center of the wood.

By now, the scrub really was thick, to the point that William was using his sword to cut it back. Grass, bramble, sprays, tree roots, it all so dense to the point of no passage. But William was not about to let that stop him.

"Are ye braw?" he asked, a quick aside to her. It was probably just as well that he asked. The copse really was quite tough going, and Nora was spending most of her time pulling her sagging arisaid out of the brush.

"Aye," she said, uncomplaining, although underneath even she was wondering about the damage to her clothing. Not the type to worry unduly, she could not help thinking what her father would say when she returned, half ragged.

Sensing her worry, William squeezed her hand. When did he start holding it?

"Dinnae fash," he said, the pink in his lips contrasting deliciously with his dark red locks. "I will take the blame, an' I will buy ye some new cloth."

Nora squirmed as his eyes went from her robe to what lay beneath it, and neither of them could pretend it otherwise. Worse still, they were there, in the middle of nowhere, just the two of them together.

"Thank ye," she said a little primly. There was a pause. Really, she should have protested, lied, and pretended that actually, her clothing was not getting horridly mauled.

But she didn't. She leveled with him and told him the truth. That definitely is not supposed to be happening. Nora looked down immediately and blushed. What else might she start telling the truth about? Her feelings? What she was sent to do?

Ducking her head out of sight for fear of sparking eye contact, Nora pushed on. Of course, she did not know where they were going, but that did not stop her.

For a moment, William lingered behind, watching. Then, he continued on. His footsteps came quickly behind her as he clutched at bracken straws and pulled down branches. But he was behind her. Somehow, alone, she had found a path.

Nora suddenly stopped. There was a pathway, or at least a track, that they were following. She could see it clearly now. Surprised, she turned around.

In the distance was a tiny structure, so ramshackle it was barely visible through the thick grass.

"There?" she said, pointing.

William laughed, nodding. "Aye," he said.

Finally, they walked up toward it. Here, there was a well-trodden path, albeit of broken-down branches and flattened grass. As they approached, the birds that had been silenced began to sing again. Nora looked around. Maybe she was confused, but she thought that they had been here before, although she had not seen the cottage.

Smiling, William led her on, this time guiding her through the flattened pathway to the front door.

"After ye," he said politely, creaking the door open. It was a wonder it did not drop off. It was old—ancient—and in a pitiful state of repair. Looking about, Nora instantly felt worried about whoever lived there, even if it were only sheep.

Gingerly, Nora followed through the shaky door. Inside was no better; an immediate sense of cloying dank hit her. Then, she held her nose.

"Och, what a reekie!" The smell of damp infestation and animal excrement overcame her. "Who lives here?" she asked, as she struggled to see properly. Then, she almost fell flat over. A loud screeching sound nearly stopped her heart.

Falling forward, she grabbed the wet and slime-filled wall, struggling to get a grip. Just as she thought she was going to hit hard, William stopped her.

"Easy there," he said in his sultry tone. His steady arm held her.

Taking a breath, Nora came to a stop. But her heart had not quite finished. Erupting from the center of her chest, she felt a jolt. The screeching sound had turned to a yowling and almost arrested her heart stone dead.

What was that sound? Gasping, she spluttered at William, who, to his credit, did not laugh.

At least too much.

"Och," he said gently. "Will ye look at this wee beastie?"