Page 36 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"What do ye mean, wrong?" She squinted. "I left Florentine at the Percy Manor."

Will led her to the stables.

"Aye, you did," he said, and smirked. Putting his hand behind her back, he walked her to the first stall. There, in front of her eyes, was Florentine.

He twinkled. "Except I brought her back myself!"

Lissie jumped.

"Florentine!"

For the next five minutes, she fell to cooing over the horse and petting it, thoroughly ignoring Will, who watched with barely concealed amusement.

"Och! What did ye do that for?" she asked, once she had made her acquaintance with the horse. But the smile on Will's face said it all. After a moment's pause, Lissie turned.

"Thank ye," she said sincerely. There was a moment that the pair of them drew close. A stark moment where, once again, they seemed about to kiss.

Lissie could feel it in the air, the kiss, attempting to escape and become real. She could sense the taste of his lips on her face, the unique, warm caress of his mouth all over her. It was a sensual overload, and suddenly, Lissie felt she had to get out of there. It was too much, too close. But somehow, something stopped her.

This was intense. She needed to touch him. It was like a spark, and she was the hay. Just the sheerest touch and she would be alight. Sensing the danger zone, Will stepped backward. It was just as well he did. The whole place would have gone up like a tinderbox.

"I thought you might like to ride her this morning," said Will, but unnecessarily, for Lissie had already leaped atop of Florentine and was beginning to trot out of the stables.

"Come on then," teased Lissie, her dark hair flailing from its headdress. In a moment of pique, she ripped the damned thing from her head and flung it on the floor.

Will's eyes rounded as Lissie gave a grin. She did not care anymore. Hair flying, she cracked a pace down across the path from the stables and out onto the street ahead. She felt free.

They were halfway to the hunting park before Will approached her. Trotting side by side, he brought his large stallion next to her. Looking around, Lissie wondered where she was. It was not any manor park or grounds she was aware of. Seeing her face, Will grinned.

"'Tis the Manor of Hyde," he said, pointing to the green horizons. "My family are permitted to ride and hunt here…but not many are," he added.

Looking about, Lissie approved. "We are honored," she murmured, turning to watch him.

An exciting, prickly feeling pushed its way through her stomach. She was alone with Will, at last, in a huge and open space. Lissie glanced around and tried to imagine how many acres this was, but her brain failed to compute the space.

It was big.

Will just nodded as Lissie sped up. Florentine was no match for Will's large destrier. Even looking at it made Lissie feel small.

Turning toward her, Will inquired shyly, "So, how are ye finding London? There are many grounds I would be happy to show you."

Mounted on Florentine, Lissie smiled wistfully. "I dinnae think so," she said sadly. "My cousin doesnae permit me to ride unaccompanied."

Will looked quizzical. Cocking his head, he looked around as if to make his point. "But mistress, we are unaccompanied now!" he said.

Lissie sighed. If only she could think of herself as liberated, but the truth was rather different. In reality, Annice held all the cards. She could never go and do as she wished.

"Nay, we're nae," sighed Lissie.

Will looked perplexed. Since arriving at Annice's house, she had been watched like a hawk. Now was no exception.

"Jane?" called Lissie wearily. Out of nowhere, an old gray lady popped up. For a minute, Will nearly fell off his horse.

The elderly lady came over, dressed immaculately. As usual, she was folding something, perhaps handkerchiefs, as she stood waiting.

"Jane is my escort," said Lissie, beckoning Jane forth.

Will looked as though he felt ambushed. "Ah, good day, my lady," he muttered while attempting to smile. But it was clear that he had been put on the back foot.