Page 88 of A Dangerous Highland Affair

“It’s nae like that,” pleaded Neacal. As if he were mindful of being overheard, he looked about, then he came back into the cottage.

“Please,” he said, coming to embrace her. In a heartbeat, he was back there, beside her, the sense of his touch real on her skin.

Teasag felt her heart rate quicken. Without warning, he was real, and he was there, the scent of him on her and his breath on her face.

It was too much to let him go, especially now, after such little time together.

Trying for one last time to keep him there, Teasag pulled him close.

“Please, Neacal, dinnae do this, it’s certain death…”

His touch felt so real, reminding her she was alive. And he was too, the spark of life from his eyes igniting her and setting her alight.

Teasag prayed for his tender touch to linger awhile and unlock the passion she felt rising in her body. But it was not to be.

Neacal looked at her sadly. “I’ve got to,” he said, gently, caressing her on the neck. “Ye ken it. I have to do this; it’s the only way…”

“But,” protested Teasag. From behind them, there was a rustling, as Gaie, who had been silently observing from the back of the room, pushed forwards.

Hoping that she would beg him to stay, Teasag turned towards Gaie excitedly.

“Alright then,” said Gaie coolly, allowing Neacal to pass.

Teasag was stunned. She could not believe her eyes. This had not been the reaction she was expecting.

“What?” her mouth hung open as Neacal eyed her ruefully and then cut away from them both. “Nae, nae,” yelped Teasag futilely.

But it was of zero use. Neacal’s mind was made up, and to Teasag’s dismay, he was back half-way across the raggle-taggle grass covering the front of the cottage walkway.

Naturally, Teasag was not taking this lying down. Grabbing her shawl, she ran to the cottage door, but before she got there was stopped by Gaie.

“Let him go,” she said softly. But Teasag shook her away.

“Get off me,” she murmured and then looked Gaie straight in the eye. “An’ get after him, call yerself a friend. He’ll get killed!”

The distress Teasag felt was palpable, and seeing her emotion Gaie touched her softly on the shoulder.

“Nae, come on, sit doon,” she beckoned Teasag to a chair, but Teasag was having none of it.

“I dinnae want to sit doon,” said Teasag, frantic. “We need to get after him!”

But even as she spoke the words, she heard the distinctive sound of a pony whinnying, and when she looked, she could just make out Neacal saddling his horse and preparing to ride.

He was too far for her to follow after him, and although Teasag still wanted to rush after him, it seemed Gaie had other ideas.

“Nae, nae we dinnae,” she said, calmly. Teasag turned to her hotly.

She had never felt so livid in all her years. The emotion inside her was so high that she almost didn’t notice the inside door opening and Lorcal walking in.

Softly, he made his way over to where Teasag was standing, her body shaking with pain.

“Teasag?” he asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Teasag turned to him with pain in her eyes. Then she rounded on Gaie, accusation in her eyes.

“What’s wrong wi’ ye Gaie, why dinnae ye go after him!” Teasag’s eyes were boiling with rage. She had never felt like this before. A hot wave, like a fire, burned all the way through her.

Then she turned to Lorcal, desperately, and cried. “Neacal’s gone on a suicide mission, he wants to have it out wi’ Marcas…!”