Page 29 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

To begin with, he did so slowly; the last thing he wanted to do was make a scene, especially in front of the noble set, sporting more miniver than the entire squirrel population of London.

But eventually, he broke out into a full-out run. And by the time he had left the manor—the imposingly large winter residence of the Percy family—it became increasingly hard to catch her up.

"Elisabeth!" called Will helplessly, casting around the large grounds surrounding the house. Behind him, the murmurs from servants buzzed in his ears.

The marshal approached. "Sir, the young lady is preparing to leave. If you wish, I can send a message."

"No message," snapped Will. He bit down the irritation burning in his throat and turned to the servant. Forcing himself to smile, he looked at the marshal. "'Tis no bother. I shall catch her up."

Inside, Will was fuming. He wanted to flee this fully packed place, but no matter where he went, there were hangers-on following him. The marshal's eyes widened as if he had opinions on the subject, but pulled his lips into a thin line and said no more. Hastening after the girl, Will headed to the stables.

"Excuse me," he called, at the back of Lissie. The girl's dark raven hair was loosed from its headdress and swayed as she ran. Will was even more entranced than before.

How anyone could run so fast on such tall shoes was beyond him. Yet, Lissie did not let up. She had gotten from the main house to the stables in double fast timing, and not even the lackeys from the mansion could catch up.

"Mistress?" he called, beads of perspiration trickling from his head. He was burning, and not just with the heat of running.

Of course, Will knew he should not be chasing her. He risked making himself a laughingstock, or worse, she would spurn him. However, there was something about this strange Scottish girl that made him grin.

Standing in the freshness of the spring eve, the scented air hit Will's head, making him long for his estate. If he could, he would ride away from here, preferably with Elisabeth in tow, and never return. He really would.

He had been on the London circuit precisely three days and was heartily sick of it already. Lissie was the breath of air he craved.

Running faster, Will no longer cared what anyone thought.

"Elisabeth, pray wait!"

But Lissie had shed her chopines and was now running barefoot along the track to the stables. There, she leaped atop a snow-white horse and prepared to ride.

Before she could get any further, Will rounded the corner into the stables and stood before her.

"Elisabeth..."

Lissie looked up. For the first time, she noticed him. Or, at least, acknowledged him. Will could not quite believe that she had not heard him calling her once in all that time.

Now her eyes met his. Through the haze, Will locked on to her beam. For the first time, he saw the depths of her blue eyes.

"Will?" She sounded bewildered, as if perhaps she really had not known he was following.

Damn.

There was a silence. In that time, all the sounds of the world dimmed, and Will had a full chance to ponder if he had not just made a total fool of himself.

Well, he probably had, but it was too late now. Throwing caution to the wind, he said, "Pray, do not ride on such bad feeling. If I did something to upset you, I am sorry."

The simplicity of his words found her. Lissie looked stung.

"I..." She looked as if she were struggling for breath. Instantly worrying about her, Will came over to her side.

Lissie was seated atop a beautiful white mare, her long turquoise robe draped over the back of it, just raring to go.

"'Tis getting late for a lady to ride herself such a long distance," began Will. He didn't want to tell her what to do, but he would be failing in his duty as a man if he did not point it out. "The wagoner is expecting to ride ye home, but I am sure he can delay."

His eyes connected with hers. She flashed hers fiercely at him. Will loved the image of her there, her long, brown-black hair unfurling over her shoulders, the dratted headdress long gone.

"Well, he can wait," said Lissie abruptly. She still seemed peeved. Will wondered what he had done to annoy her so.

"I am more than capable of handling the London streets."