Page 76 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
“What carriage?”
Her eyes narrowed. She stepped forward, walking past him to check for herself.
“Surely you have a carriage for special occasions?” she asked, her chin lifting as her gaze swept over the entire length of the stables. “I am certain I have seen one somewhere.”
Her eyes fell on the abandoned carriage at the far end—one of the many things left behind by his English mother.
Lachlan’s jaw tightened as he watched her walk toward it with her maid, one of his last memories of his mother forcing its way back to the surface.
Englishwomen are all the same—expectin’ comfort where there is none to be had.
He pulled on the reins without realizing it, and his horse neighed softly, kicking its hooves in the dirt.
Of course, she would prefer a carriage, too.
Her maid stepped closer to the carriage, touching it with the tips of her fingers. The wooden cabin was covered in years’ worth of dust and cobwebs, and the door hung open by a single hinge. One of its wheels was nowhere to be found.
Oh, Mairi…
Marian’s shoulders fell in an exaggerated movement that almost made him laugh despite himself. He leaned against his horse, watching them from a distance.
“My Lady,” Lilly said, and then she whispered something in Marian’s ears that made her shake her head in vehement refusal.
What are ye goin’ to do, Mairi?
“I cannot,” Marian declared, her voice carrying to Lachlan. Then, she muttered something in response to whatever her maid had suggested.
Lachlan could barely hear her, but her tone carried more than reluctance. It bordered on offense, as though whatever her maid had suggested had insulted her.
He let go of the reins and ran his fingers through his horse’s mane.
“Well, lad,” he murmured. “I suppose we arenae makin’ the journey to the Murrays’, after all.”
He lifted his head just as Marian made her way back to him, her steps heavy against the ground.
Nae so ladylike when ye’re mad, are ye?
The thought vanished, and for a moment, he found he preferred her this way—less composed and more honest in her reactions.
“Lilly and I would like to ride together,” she announced sharply.
Lachlan arched his eyebrows. “I didnae think ye had brought yer horses from England,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “Or do ye lay claim to me horses now, too?”
Her gaze faltered, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Lilly stepped forward to speak. “What Her Ladyship meant to ask, my Laird, is if you can lend us one of your horses instead.”
Lachlan’s eyes narrowed. He considered for a moment before speaking again, his gaze lingering on Marian. “Can either of ye ride a horse?”
Bet ye’ve never mounted one in yer life.
Their reaction to his question was almost comical. Marian and Lilly exchanged glances, both shaking their heads slightly as though it was some sort of hidden language.
“No, my Laird. However, we?—”
“There are nay buts, Mairi,” Lachlan cut in, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. “If ye want to visit the Murrays’, ye shall have to ride with me.”
Marian’s eyes widened at his words.
