Niall rode nearby, but not so close that she felt herded. He didn’t say much, but his mood seemed lighter than it had been in the castle earlier. He’d been working too hard, she thought. And there was some burden on him that he hadn’t shared with her, something else weighing him down—whether his feelings for Brenna or a different issue he’d not mentioned yet. She wished she could ask, but didn’t want to intrude. She was very conscious of the fact that she wasn’treallyhis wife.
Niall directed her to ride up a particular path, sharply inclined along a slope. Sterling practically pranced up, and soon both horses and riders stood on a bald—a patch of bare rock on the mountain that overlooked a huge sweep of lower hills and the distant sea beyond.
“My goodness,” Heather breathed. “It’s gorgeous.”
“One of my favorite spots,” Niall agreed, dismounting. He walked over and lifted her down from Sterling. His hands were warm on her waist, his eyes particularly blue, and his smile inviting. Heather took her time stepping away.
She finally turned, drawn by the spectacular beauty of the vista. A person would have to be dead to not be moved by such a scene. The autumn haze settled on the landscape, transforming each range of hills into an almost abstract version of itself, like an artist merely playing with color. The nearest range was green, with spots of orange and yellow. But the farther ridge was deeper and darker, and the one beyond that nearly blue. The ocean glimmered at the back, a silent silver world beyond her reach.
Niall stepped up beside her. “I used to ride up here every few days when I was younger. My mother once took us all here for a picnic. That was the first time I saw it. And after that, I always wanted to come back, because it’s such a grand view.”
“And because it reminds you of her.”
“Aye. She was a good woman.”
“You must miss her.”
“Everyone misses their mother,” he said simply. Then he looked at her with his deceptively gentle gaze. “You must miss your own.”
“Every day,” Heather admitted. “For a while I hated the sea. I blamed it for taking my parents away. But hating the sea makes no sense. It’s not malicious, or good. The sea is just there, part of nature. It’s humans who try to make the world like them, full of moods and intent and regret and vengeance and who knows what else.”
“Interesting philosophy..”
“Yes, well. I’m a very interesting girl.”
He took her hand, drawing her to him. “I know.”
He looked like he wanted to kiss her again, and Heather definitely wanted to kiss him. Which was a problem. Hadn’t she just been annoyed and offended by seeing him with Brenna? Or was she dreaming that? Could she trust her own eyes anymore?
“I suppose we should go back,” she whispered, tilting her head up.
“That would be the smartest decision,” he agreed, running a figure along her jaw, sending waves of anticipation down her body.
Suddenly, she heard hoofbeats coming up from behind. Then she heard Niall swear under his breath, and looked over her shoulder.
A trio of riders had come up, and now blocked the path back. Uncle Cyril, Brom…and Mr. Webb.
Chapter 14
Niall cursed himself for notbringing along a few reinforcements. But things had been quiet, and he’d been so damn excited to spend a little time with Heather without everyone breathing down his neck. However, even if he didn’t have men with him, he did have weapons. He reached for the horse’s saddlebag, where the pistol was.
“That other man is Mr. Webb,” Heather whispered to Niall. “Lord, I was hoping he’d decide the journey wasn’t worth it.”
Hayes edged his horse ahead of the other two men. “If it isn’t my darling niece.”
“Steady,” Niall murmured, slowly retrieving the gun. “He can’t do a thing to you.”
“I know,” Heather replied, her eyes locked on her uncle. “But trust me, he’ll find a way to be awful.”
Cyril said, “On a ride with your husband? Putting on a show for the locals?”
Heather raised her chin, looking much calmer than Niall knew she was. “Oh, Uncle, I ride well, but I don’t think anyone would stop their day to watch me.”
“Shut your mouth, girl. You know what I mean. I mean you appearing in public with MacNair, acting as if you’re happy to be here.”
“I’m happier here than I ever was at home,” Heather said. “At least, since you made it your home, too. Why are you still here, Uncle? I am not ever going anywhere with you. Orhim.”
Heather regarded the third man with complete disgust.
