Page 37 of My Brave Highlander

"I'm not tangled up over a woman," Dirk growled.

"'Twas bound to happen sooner or later."

The door behind them opened and Isobel and her maid emerged, carrying their meager belongings.

"Shh," Dirk hissed at Rebbie.

"Good morrow, my lady," Rebbie called and gave one of his dramatic bows.

"Good morrow," she said in a more restrained tone and curtseyed.

She looked far more refreshed this morn than he felt, that was a certainty. She'd slept the whole night, even with her wanderings about the room, while he'd only slept naps here and there amid steamy erotic dreams.

Her cheeks glowed bright pink in the crisp, cold air. And her dark gaze upon him near took his breath away. He gave a brief bow.

She smiled and curtseyed in return, then hastened after her maid toward the main cottage.

"Did you see that?" Rebbie whispered aside. "She blushed as soon as she glanced at you."

"Rebbie, I'm warning you…" Dirk grumbled in a low tone.

Rebbie laughed and slapped his shoulder.

"'Tis time to break our fast," Lewis MacLeod called from the main cottage.

"We must eat quickly and be on our way," Dirk said. "It already grows late. We must reach Durness before dark, else there'll be nowhere to spend the night."

∞∞∞

Behind Dirk, riding pillion on his horse, Isobel shivered against him. He wished he could make her warmer, but she was already wrapped in every blanket and extra plaid he possessed. Thank the saints it was no longer snowing, and the sun peeped through the clouds from time to time. But the never-ending wind blew harder.

At least his larger body blocked most of the north wind from her. Occasionally, it stung his face and penetrated his multiple layers of clothing. Still, he wasn't chilled. In fact, she made him feel overheated most of the time. He truly needed to share some body heat with her. But that was not a good idea.

He turned his head. "Are you cold, m'lady?"

"Not overmuch." Her teeth chattered, proclaiming her words a lie. He admired her for not complaining. She was a strong lass.

"Put your arms beneath my plaid and cloak. 'Tis warmer closer to my body."

Damnation, he shouldn't have said that. Thinking about her closer to his body made his heart rate speed up, but when she dug beneath his wool mantle and his plaid, and touched his waist through his doublet, his whole body came to life. But he had to keep her warm.

He'd grown up here and he well knew how cold MacKay Country was in autumn and winter. His body would tolerate chill more easily than hers.

She slid her uninjured hand around his side and rested it lightly on his upper abdomen. He helped place her injured hand, careful of her splinted finger, at his waist, then covered her hands with one of his. "Och. Your hands are like ice."

"'Tis true. The cold wind blows so hard here."

"Not much longer and we'll reach Durness." He tapped his heels against the horse's sides, increasing their pace along the trail that cut between the moor and the rock carved hills. A herd of furry black Highland cattle stood watching in the snowy field. Smoke trailed from a distant crofter's hut.

The press of Isobel's fingers against his stomach affected him more than he would've liked, sending arousal burning through him. He yearned to hold her in his arms, warm her and protect her. Damnation if he wasn't daft.

Wondering about the others in their party, he stopped, turned the horse slightly and glanced back at Rebbie. Farther back, Isobel's maid rode pillion behind George.

Rebbie waved him onward.

Dirk headed the horse forward again and continued. Each step along the narrow trail that wound around lochs and between bare stone mountains was like a step back in time. Little had changed here in twelve years.

Yells erupted in the distance behind them. Isobel's maid screamed.