Page 45 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“Aye. So, I ken when someone is shooting at me, and when they are nae.”

“Did ye need tae be a soldier tae learn that?” she demanded.

“Scarlett, this is nae small thing!”

“’Tis true, and I’m eager for any small reason tae smile considering what has just happened.” She waved a hand at the door of the cottage, then at her arm. “I dinnae ken why they were shooting at me. I have nae a clue!” She huffed and looked back at the fire. She shivered in the cold as she turned her body toward the flames.

Noah felt that same temptation to shiver. He was ice cold, and his fingers were numb.

“We must undress.” His dictum made her start, bringing her head up so fast she cricked her neck and raised a hand to rub the spot.

“What did ye say?”

“Evidently, ye heard me right.”

“I am nae undressing!”

“Ye wish tae die of cold?” he asked in disapproval, gesturing to her shivers.

“A bit dramatic, are ye?”

“Dramatic? Ye accuse me of being dramatic when men shoot at us?”

Noah shook his head, baffled by her logic. “Scarlett, I am being practical. Look at the two of us. We are frozen, we are wet, and we sorely need tae warm up. If we keep our clothes on, we’ll only get colder.” He backed away and began to unbutton his waistcoat, slowly popping out the buttons. She shook her head but said nothing, staring at him. He discarded the waistcoat near the fire so it would dry, then reached for his shirt, pulling it over his head. Scarlett looked away at the flames. “Ye’ve seen me before, havenae ye?” He reminded her, moving close behind her and whispering in her ear. “As I have seen ye, ye dinnae need to feel embarrassed.”

“Ye werenae supposed tae look today! I told ye nae tae.”

“I didnae promise nae tae,” he explained with a shrug. “Besides, I am nae suggesting ye undress so I can take advantage of ye. I do it tae save ye from the cold.” He reached for his trews, and she looked away, warming her hands over the fire. “Ye should really trust me. Things would be easier,” he sighed.

“Stop saying that. Please stop.” He wrapped a strip of plaid from his satchel around his waist before gathering some of the food left from their picnic and sat by the fire to eat. He offered some to Scarlett, and she eventually sat beside him, eating cheese from the muslin cloth.

They sat in silence together, and her shivering grew worse.

“Scarlett?”

“I ken,” she sighed and lowered the muslin cloth into the basket beside them. She stood and unlaced her gown, stepping out of it, and kicked her boots close to the fire, hoping they would dry. She didn’t remove her chemise and was about to sit again when Noah offered a clean shirt from his satchel. “

“I always carry a shirt with me,” he explained. “I often swim in the loch when I come out here.” With a twirl of her fingers, she signaled him to look away and sighing, he did as she asked.

The shirt reached down past her hips. No matter how she pulled at the hem, it wasn’t very long, revealing her slender limbs. Noah smiled, pleased that she no longer shivered and quite enamored by the sight of her.

Aye, she is a great temptation.

“Stop staring,” she warned, though a smile played about her.

“It seems I struggle tae look away as much as ye do.”

“Oi!” Despite herself, she couldn't take her gaze away from his chest, and he looked at her with suspicion, having caught her admiring him. “Damn.” They shared a knowing smile before they both fell quiet. They ate in silence as Noah lost himself in thought, speculating.

Who were those men? Why were they hunting Scarlett? Could it be an attempt tae stop the wedding?

Despite her injury, she hadn’t complained, not once. Noah admired her strength and stoicism, but he knew the events at the lake had shaken her, and that she was filled with apprehension.

“Ye are frightened, lass?”

“Are ye nae?” she returned.

Aye, she is strong indeed.