Page 25 of Highlander’s Evil Side

Chapter Eleven

Fraser

Fraser led Beitris through the wood, shock making his insides twist. Glancing over his shoulder, his gaze lingered on his hand, still holding Beitris’s. He was surprised she didn’t pull away from him, surprised she continued following him. Her initial distaste for him had changed into something more. Perhaps, she trusted him a bit more now after sending Scott to guard her room and providing a carpenter to build shelves for her books. He hoped listening to her wants and desires would crumble the walls surrounding her heart. Yet, now that she opened herself to him, he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t want to scare her away, didn’t want to come off too forward. His fingers laced with hers, and his heart swelled with joy when she didn’t tug away from him.

The sound of running water grew louder, drawing his attention forward. He stepped purposefully, pushing away the low-hanging branches. The path dissipated, and only the sounds of splashing guided Fraser further.

“Not long now,” he said gently while holding back a branch.

Beitris ducked low. Her other hand gripped her skirts, trying to keep her hem from being stained by the mud. Fraser paused as he heard her gasp, watching her slip forward. He didn’t think. His body moved on its own, his arms circling around her waist and pulling her towards him. She leaned into him, her hands gripping his arms while her legs wobbled, trying to regain their balance in the slick mud.

His arms instinctually tightened around her, pulling her close to his chest as he stared down at the crown of her head, inhaling the sultry scent of her hair, feeling the softness of her smooth skin against him. He inhaled deeply, trying to calm his pounding heart while his arms relaxed and slipped from her waist. She turned to face him, her plump lips parting while her eyes gazed innocently up at him.

“Apologies,” she whispered, her cheeks turning pink as she took a step away from him. “I did not mean—”

“The mud,” said Fraser, his face heating, feeling embarrassment and awkwardness seep into him. He pressed her hand against a tree branch. Her fingers curled around it while Fraser took a step away from her, needing the distance in order to cool his head. “Ye should be careful. I wouldn’t want ye getting hurt.”

Beitris nodded, and Fraser strode past, nearly stopping when he felt her hand grabbing his wrist. Fraser swallowed the lump in his throat as he continued forward. He should feel happy. Beitris was opening up to him, but for some reason, he couldn’t help but wonder if Hendry Dunbar ever took her to the gardens at his estate. Fraser’s frown deepened, imagining Beitris walking with a man, his arm around her waist while she stared up at him with parted lips and reddened cheeks. He stifled a frustrated groan, knowing jealousy would get him nowhere with Beitris, yet he couldn’t stop the curiosity from surfacing within him, wondering if she still cared for the laird.

All thoughts of Hendry disappeared when Fraser pushed back the leaves, revealing a large pool of water with the falls cascading into them. Beitris stilled at his side. Fraser chanced a glance, his lips twitching into a soft smile as her mouth hung open in surprise and wonder. She stepped forward, her hands reaching out to touch the lavender and pink flowers growing near the water’s edge. Fraser followed closely behind, stepping carefully along the stone path, his smile widening as he recalled memories of swimming in the pool with Scott when they were young lads.

“It’s beautiful,” Beitris breathed, spinning around and smiling widely back at him. “I can’t believe there’s such a place. It’s like a garden from a fairy tale.”

Fraser chuckled. “The water is frigid but quite nice on a hot summer’s day.”

“I’ve never seen anything quite like it,” said Beitris, turning away from him and continuing along the path. She tiptoed towards the edge, peering down into the clear blue water, so blue it reminded Fraser of Beitris’s eyes.

Fraser watched Beitris take off her shoes, her feet inching into the water. He smiled at her surprised shriek, making her run back to the stones, splashing water with her sudden movement.

“It’s too cold,” she gasped between giggles.

Fraser’s head tilted. “Aye, Scott and I used to provoke each other into staying longer, nae matter how frigid. We always wanted to out best one another.”

Beitris chuckled. “And who bested who?”

Fraser straightened, jutting out his chin while crossing his arms. “I, sometimes. Although, Scott often remained longer in the water. He always needed to prove himself.”

“Sounds like Hendry and me.”

Fraser tried to remain still, yet despite himself, his brows tented, and his body ached at her speaking about the other laird with such a bright smile. He wished he didn’t feel jealousy twisting within him. He hardly knew Beitris, and he knew it was petty of him to feel this way. No matter how well they knew one another, Fraser realized he wanted her to speak of him with such affection in her gaze, with such a joy-filled look on her face.

“We used to see who could climb the highest or who could run the fastest.” Beitris grabbed her skirts, lifting them up and dipping a toe into the water. “I, much like Scott, always felt as if I had something to prove.”

“Do ye miss him?” Fraser winced, hating how the words rushed out of him. He spoke without truly thinking of the consequences his words would bring. Beitris turned towards him, her brows rising in interest while a curious look took hold of her features.

“Miss him?” she repeated while stepping towards Fraser.

Fraser sighed, his gaze shifting to the stones. He didn’t want to speak of Hendry, but he couldn’t stop the curiosity and jealousy taking hold of his lips, his mind. Beitris’s bare feet stopped in front of him, and as Fraser lifted his head, his gaze fell on her quizzical look.

“What do ye mean, my laird?”

Fraser winced. “I-I know ye were to be married to him.”

Beitris frowned but didn’t say anything.

“I know ye were in love with him, which is clearly the reason why ye do not want to marry me. I understand, of course, but I hope—” Fraser stopped, his brows furrowing as he watched Beitris double over in a fit of laugher.

“My lady?” he asked, wondering what he said to cause such a response.