Dangerous Pride (8 page)

“It would have to be you, wouldn’t it?” Catriona muttered under her breath, cursing the mixed blessing that had brought Lachlan to her rescue.  “I should have kent it would be you.”

Lachlan didn’t know what made him madder – the weather or the reason he was out in it.  He had stopped briefly at Boyne Castle on his way home from a trip into Inverness to meet with his father’s bankers.  When the weather had turned, he had decided to spend the night there, not wanting to subject himself to a long, wet journey home when he could beg hospitality from the Earl for one night.  Considering how quickly Scottish storms could turn, he wasn’t about to freeze himself unnecessarily, not when a warm hall and a comfortable bed beckoned.

Lachlan had arrived after the evening meal had already been served, but fortunately Cook had taken pity on him.  She’d had a meal sent to him in the Earl’s library as he sat visiting with Iain.  He’d barely begun to sample the delicious fare when the castle had been turned into an uproar.  After a lengthy absence from the keep, Catriona had been discovered missing.

Annella was nearly frantic with worry, blaming herself for not raising the alarm sooner.  Catriona frequently wandered off by herself, Lachlan learned, and her maid had wanted to spare her from the Earl’s wrath for as long as possible.  The time to worry about such punishments was long past, and Lachlan and Iain had joined Seafield’s men as they searched every inch of the keep.  When she still had not returned after they finished their search of the baileys, the men were ordered to their horses so they could search outside the keep. Iain had taken a small party of men with him to search the southern part of his father’s lands, the area they had all agreed Catriona was most likely to have visited.  Lachlan chose instead to ride to the west, preferring his own company to that of the boisterous Ogilvies whose blood had risen with the excitement of the chase.

There had been no tension between neighboring clans for some time, and Lachlan had reasoned it was unlikely the lass had been abducted or was being held for ransom.  It was far more likely she had simply lost track of time, and was seeking shelter until the storm passed.  He’d kept these thoughts to himself, however, not wanting to incite the wrath of Iain’s kinsmen, not when they were so eager for a chance to prove their bravery.

As he stood in the downpour, Lachlan shook his head, smiling despite himself at the unwelcome irony that he would be the one to find the lass after all.  As she stood before him, defiant yet uncertain, he silently willed himself to remember she would be his sister-by-marriage one day soon.  The heavy rains had plastered her house dress tightly to her slim body, and her long, sopping mahogany curls hung heavily down her back.  Despite the fact she was nearly drowned, she looked so innocent, so appealing, so indignant and strong that he had to caution himself to keep his distance.

Since they’d shared a kiss at the burn weeks before, he’d found himself thinking of Catriona more and more.  For most of his life, she’d been nothing more than the troublesome youngest sister of one of his best friends. He’d been fond of her, certainly, but she was rarely in his thoughts.  In recent weeks that had changed, and he’d come to see her as much more than a child.

Catriona was blossoming into a lovely young girl, her slim figure ripening with the promise of womanhood.  Though she was not blessed with Elizabeth’s conventional beauty, as she matured the lass was growing into her features. The strong, straight nose that had once dominated her delicate features now seemed perfectly suited.  Her long, thick hair that had once been brash and over-bright had darkened with time to a deep shade of mahogany that seemed to be a dozen different colors when it caught the sun.  Her emerald eyes and pale, freckled skin gave her an air of innocence and vulnerability that were every bit as attractive as Elizabeth’s cold, calculated beauty. Perhaps even more so, he acknowledged.

And Catriona’s generous, selfless nature far outshone her sister’s – of that he had no doubt.  The respect she’d gained as a healer was well-earned.  Catriona would never turn her back on any of God’s creatures, and the fact that she’d put herself in peril that eve was proof enough.

Sighing under his breath, Lachlan turned to find Catriona checking on the animals.  “It did no’ occur to you to leave the sheep behind and take shelter for yerself?”

Catriona turned to answer his question, her once dulled eyes again full of life – and a spark of temper, he thought.  “No, it did no’, and I’m sure it would no’ have occurred to anyone with a conscience.  Or a heart,” she added pointedly, her hands braced on her hips as she stared him down.  “I would thank you not to treat me like a bairn who canna keep out of trouble.  I would have managed fine, with or without you.  But now that yer here, you can help me bring the animals home so I can tend to them.”

Lachlan struggled to control the smile that threatened at the corners of his lips.  Aye, she was a firebrand, no doubt of that, but only when there was a threat to someone – something – she cared for.  If only she had the same courage and resolve when it came to the way she allowed other people to treat her.

He loved the way her brogue thickened when she was angered, and the flush of color that stained her cheeks.  There was little doubt the lass had a passionate nature.  The man who wedded – and bedded – her would be a lucky fellow, indeed.

Not liking the direction his mind was headed, Lachlan shook off his errant thoughts and focused on the task at hand.  He needed to get her to a safe shelter, and with as little risk to himself as possible.  He was quickly learning that her tongue could be considered a fierce weapon in its own right.

“I’m no’ surprised you put the welfare of these beasties ahead of the likes of me,” he replied pleasantly.  “But yer wrong if you think we can reach Boyne tonight.  This storm is growing stronger even as we stand here.  And as much as it pains me to say – you being such a capable lass and all – ye’ve been headed in the opposite direction of yer father’s keep.”  Lachlan could not withhold the chuckle that escaped his lips as he registered her chagrined expression.  “Nay, we are too far from Boyne to attempt to return there in this weather.  We’ll seek shelter for the rest of the night, and then I’ll escort you home in the morning.”

“But what about my father?” she blustered, unconsciously stepping back from him as she considered the implications.  “Surely you canna mean to let him worry about my welfare all night!”

“You should have thought of that before, lass,” he replied mildly, silently pleased that she looked so uncomfortable at the prospect of spending the night with him.  The lass had been playing with fire, and it was time she learned her lesson.  He met her gaze steadily, willing her to argue further, until she finally looked away.

Catriona knew she was trapped.  It would be dangerous to attempt the trip back to the keep, particularly since the burn was rushing furiously, threatening to overflow its banks at any time.  Besides, the sooner she got the animals to shelter, the better.

“If we have no other choice,” she conceded finally, her chin tilted defiantly as she stared into his cool grey eyes.  “These animals canna survive in these conditions much longer, so perhaps it’s for the best.”

Lachlan nodded brusquely, then turned on his heel.  Without a word he walked to his horse, pulling a heavy woolen blanket and a length of plaid from his saddlebag.  He could feel Catriona’s eyes on him as he walked back to the animals, doing his best to protect them from the elements.  Once he’d hung the blanket over the shrubs to shield them, he handed Catriona the plaid, and went back to his horse.  Climbing into the saddle, he reached a hand down to Catriona.  “I will no’ listen to any arguments tonight, lass,” he said.  Seeing the grim set of his jaw, Catriona quickly made her way to the horse’s side.  “I’ll see about getting you safe and dry, and then I’ll come back and fetch yer beasties.”

Tentatively, Catriona place her fingers in his warm, strong hand.  She wanted to argue that he bring the animals with them now, but she knew better than to strain his temper further.  Taking her hand, Lachlan pulled her into the saddle, settling her in front of him atop his firm thighs.  Catriona was relieved that he could not see the warm flush that was spreading across her cheeks. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he nudged the horse forward into a slow canter while she feigned indifference to his close proximity.

It took some time before Catriona was composed enough to inquire about their destination.  The plaid was lending some protection from the driving rain, but it was the heat of Lachlan’s body, pressed tight against her back, that had finally stopped her teeth from chattering.  “Do you have a particular destination in mind?” she asked, tilting her head back so he could hear her over the wind.

Catriona could not seek the flicker of humor that played across his features.  His thoughts had been focused on what it felt like to be this close to her.  She’d finally stopped shaking from the cold, and some of the tension had slipped from her body.  He’d caught himself moving closer to draw in the scent of her, then forced himself to pull back.  “Aye, I have a place in mind.  There’s an abandoned crofthouse near here, just a short ride from where I found you.  We can get some sleep there tonight, and in the morning, when the weather clears, I’ll return you to yer da.”

Nodding her understanding, Catriona leaned back into his warmth.  Even as the storm raged on around her, she relaxed in Lachlan’s comforting embrace, unable to fight her fatigue any longer.

When Catriona awoke a short time later, it was to find herself nestled in Lachlan’s arms.  Gently he carried her to the small cottage, pushing the door open with a shove of his shoulder.  “Are you awake yet, lass?” he asked softly when she began to stir in her arms.  She hadn’t slept for long, but still it took her a moment to get her bearings.  When she nodded, Lachlan lowered her gently to her feet.  “It’s as dark and cold as the de’il’s own heart in here,” he grumbled, glancing quickly around the room.  “Sit yerself on that bed while I see to a fire.”

Too tired to reply, Catriona simply did as she was told.  The cottage was small, dark and musty, but at least it offered shelter from the rain.  The abandoned crofthouse had been built in traditional style – heather branches, peat, mud and straw had been packed together to form the walls and roof of the structure.  Small vents had been made in the roof to allow the smoke from the fires to escape, but there were no windows to let in any light or fresh air.  Without the lightning flashes and the open door, it would have been impossible to see anything at all inside the tiny home.

In a few minutes Lachlan had started a small fire, using the peat and small pieces of kindling left behind in the cottage.  The burgeoning flames provided enough light for Catriona to finally take stock of her surroundings.  The building itself was tiny, with only a small bed, table and two chairs for furniture.  “I canna imagine who would have lived here,” she wondered aloud.  “It must belong to one of my father’s people, but I have no idea who.”

“Most likely one of the shepherds uses the crofthouse when the animals are moved to graze this area.  It’s sparse, but it’s clean, and will serve well enough for one night,” he added as he tossed more sticks on the fire.  Lachlan reached out to warm his hands over the flames before he slowly pushed himself to his feet, turning around to face Catriona.  “Give me the plaids, lass, and I’ll set them to drying in front of the fire.”

Wordlessly, Catriona removed the plaid that Lachlan had loaned her, then her own, and walked to the table where he stood, the garments held in her outstretched hand.  She was not prepared for the look of surprise that had suddenly crossed his handsome features, only to disappear every bit as quickly.  Nor had she expected that his eyes would sweep her with such a thorough appraisal, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.

Lachlan’s breath caught in his throat as he stepped forward to accept the plaids
. 
Sweet God in heaven, I should not be having thoughts such as these
, he realized, though he felt powerless to stop himself.  The lass didn’t realize that the light from the fire behind her made her dress all but transparent.

The thin, worn fabric clung to her body like a second skin, caressing every curve of her body.  Her legs, highlighted in the light cast by the fire, were long and shapely.  The bodice of her dress clung to her breasts, and he could see her nipples straining against the cloth.  She was a vision – a beautifully shaped, desirable woman, and certainly not the impertinent child who had somehow affixed herself to his memory.

She was also the sister of his betrothed.

Shaking off his discomfort, Lachlan reached out to take the plaids, and quickly draped them over a chair to dry in front of the fire.  “I’ll be off to fetch the beasties, then,” he muttered under his breath, unable to meet her confused gaze.  “I’ve left a dry blanket for you on the table.  You best get out of those sopping clothes before you catch yer death of cold.  See if you can sleep while I bring the animals back.”

Unable to find her voice again, Catriona merely nodded.  She waited for a few long moments, holding her breath, until she was sure he was gone.  As soon as she heard the footfalls of his horse, she shirked off her cold house dress and chemise, placing them before the fire to dry with her boots and stockings.  Teeth chattering, she grabbed the blanket and wrapped herself tightly in it, sitting heavily on the bed.

It was obvious that Lachlan was angry at being forced to spend time with her.  The look of frustration on his face had been plain enough, and he’d wasted no time quitting her company.  With a heavy sigh she padded across the cold dirt floor toward the bed.  Too exhausted to think on the situation any further, she settled herself on the lumpy, heather-filled mattress, struggling valiantly to find a comfortable position.  Pulling the blanket tighter to her body, she resigned herself to the difficult, tense evening that stretched before her.

###

It took Lachlan some time to retrace his steps and find the animals.  It had been difficult to get them back to the cottage, but he’d managed, knowing how disappointed Catriona would be if anything happened to them.  They were fine, safely sheltered from the cold and rain in a small pen he had found at the side of the crofthouse.