Page 110 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

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

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Flirt, he had said. As Nora looked into William's eyes, her father's advice replayed loudly. Be comely, he had added, as he left her and William together. Stick yer tongue out from between yer mouth an' reel him in!

Those were not her father's words. That would be curious. But the actual advice came from Aline, one of the ladies charged with imparting her wisdom in the art of seduction. So tongue and teeth had been fully deployed, and she had done it. By God, she had done it well.

Too well.

So well, she had forgotten it was meant to be an act. That was why, by the time they were face-to-face outside the hunting lodge, with his hand on her back, it was all quite real.

I would like that a lot, she had said.

Problem was, it was true. And any fool could see it. Not just William.

So now, he had her by the hand as they mounted their horses. Outside the little hunting lodge, they were smiling.

Well, this is awkward, she thought, as a smile as big as the sun shone out from under her. How do I make this stop?

The answer was, she couldn't. She just had to play it for all she was worth. So that was what she was doing when she allowed him to hold her hand.

"Come," said William, guiding her through the woodland that backed onto the hill lodge. He seemed quite insistent she should not look back, riding behind her to block her view.

The woods she had not seen before, and Nora took a childlike pleasure in counting the budding oaks about to erupt in a sea of green for the upcoming spring. Trotting through the glade, Nora felt a swathe of sadness mixed in with a strange twinge. It was so sweet, with the first bluebells of the season poking their heads. Rushing from her horse, Nora dismounted to pick them.

Watching from his horse, William stared in amusement.

"Bonnie," he said, as she moved to show him the flowers in her hand. He stared at her, entranced.

Nora loitered, uncertain what to do next.

There was a moment where he came down to stand beside her, then took her hand and led her on her way. Now they had separated from their horses and were winding their way through the impenetrable woods.

"Are ye sure we can?" asked Nora, her voice faltering, as he took her hand. There had not been many words between them, and she was unsure. But the light shining in his eyes told her that he wanted the same thing as her.

"I'm sure," he said, his pink complexion glowing. "We can make oor way through here awhile an' show ye the cottages." His eyes slid to hers. "That is, if ye do want to?"

William's gaze interrupted her; Nora had drifted off into a dream of touching his hair. From a distance, it was wooly, but closer, it was smooth. Her hands ached to touch it, and she was much startled to find his deep blue eyes fully on her.

"Ahem," coughed William, meeting her gaze. Nora started. "So, do ye want to?" he asked, smiling.

Panicked, Nora looked around. Do ye want to? What did he mean? She felt her heart stutter and pound.

"The cottages?" explained William helpfully.

Nora blushed. He could read her mind! "Och, aye, the cottages," she said, turning. "Let's go there."

Inside, she felt her cheeks flame. If ever she had made it certain what she was thinking, it was then. Giving away too much was not part of the plan. She had to get a grip.

But that was rather hard when she was following him, literally hand in hand.

By now, the ground was rather thick. The woodland grew dense, and Nora began to worry about her horse, left untethered next to William's destrier in the middle of the forest.

Worried, she pulled her brow into a frown. "The horses, will they be⁠—"

"They'll be braw." William clasped his hand around her, filling her with his warmth. Despite the breeze, he was unexpectedly heated, his sultry touch invigorating her.

"I-I hope so," she said, breaking off unexpectedly from his touch. A little more and she would melt. Pulling away, she continued on through the thicket, smiling and following him.