Page 65 of A Dangerous Highland Affair

“There’s any number o’ ne’er do wells oot here lass!” he told her, now taking her by the hand and leading her away from the clearing and in towards where the impatient black stallion was waiting.

Teasag looked at him quizzically.

“Aye, like ye,” she said, her eyes sparkling. But it was only momentary, and a few seconds later, she had gone back to her neutral stance, with her pure blue eyes staring like bolts into the side of his head.

Neacal shuffled uncomfortably, giving a thwarted little laugh. “Well, aye, ye’ve got me there…!”

There was a few seconds pause, whereby Neacal struggled hopelessly with the contents of his head, trying in vain to rearrange them into a sentence that might be understood. The best he managed was a few muffled sounds silenced by the loud, whinnying cry that the unsettled stallion let out.

Teasag fixed Neacal with her blue eyes and said simply. “I was looking for ye…”

Her words surprised him, filling him with hope that maybe she might be willing to listen to what he had to say. But when he looked, it was impossible to ignore the ice in her eyes.

“R-really?” he said, not sure how to react. “I was looking for ye…”

It was only when the words had left his mouth that he realized that they were true. Although when he had set off that morning, his aims had been to do other things, they had only been an excuse. She was the real reason for him to be combing the countryside, on horseback, at such an unpalatably early hour.

“Well, now ye’ve found me,” said Teasag, looking truculently at him.

Inside, the blood flowed through Neacal’s veins, coming in little waves. Something within him gave a little tug, wishing desperately that he could simply be with her and join in her life.

But the coldness in his heart held him back. His world was complicated, dangerous. He knew he really shouldn’t include her.

“Say, why dinnae ye travel back doon there, to the village, with me, an’ we can talk…,” said Neacal, his face suddenly clearing to reveal his trademark cocky grin.

He gave Teasag a cheery smirk while his head and his guts were churning.

“Nae,” said Teasag, stopping abruptly. She pulled her hand away from his, breaking the circuitry of their touch.

Immediately, Neacal felt the coldness return to his heart. Just the sensation of being connected to her had been enough. Still, now, she stood, defiantly apart, just far enough to make it clear she wanted no part of him.

Neacal could not help the look of hurt that showed in his sky-blue eyes. “Well, alright, we can talk here, but…,” he reached out for her hand once more, but this time left it lingering in the air.

Maybe his chastened face did something to her because gradually, Teasag’s features softened.

“But let’s go an’ sit by that tree, awa’ from this barmpot horse!” said Neacal, leading her out towards the tree that was not too far away from where he had seen her sitting.

“Why, what’s up wi’ him?” asked Teasag, glancing at the harrumphing stallion. The creatures flashing eyes and snarling nostrils seemed to answer for Neacal, as Teasag looked in curiosity at them both.

“I dinnae ken, but he’s been up to high doh ever since we set off! I dinnae think he ever wants to stop running,” said Neacal, finally bold enough to place his hand on her shoulder. A sweet, warm sensation burst around Neacal’s body, making it glow with pleasure.

The pair went to sit beside the spreading oak tree in the center of the lea. Gingerly, Neacal positioned himself to Teasag’s left, not quite daring to move as close as he would like to.

“So, the horse is in a hurry to be off, could there be a reason for it, or does it ken that it’s been ridden by a wanted murderer?”

Teasag’s words stung like nettles, completely blindsiding Neacal and making him turn in surprise.

“I didnae kill anyone,” he said, flatly. The tone of his voice must have been direct enough to cut through to her because Teasag looked around, blinking slowly.

“Well, why does it say ye did?” she asked.

Neacal gave a sigh. “It’s a long story, but the commander, Marcas, ye ken, the one who gave chase on the road the other night,” he looked to Teasag, who nodded slowly.

“Aye,” she answered unsurely.

“Well, there’s history there—between us… him and me…,” he broke off. “It really is a long story, though all ye really need to ken is that I havenae killed anyone,” he said, hoping this would be enough for her.

But although he was heartened to find Teasag’s previously rigid expression softening, it wasn’t enough on its own.