“Och, but you’re full of questions, and you’re wasting my time, you are.” Her voice was stern, but her eyes twinkled.
It had been so long since she had spoken to anyone near her age, and a handsome man at that. How she wanted him to stay. But, of course, he wouldn’t.
“’Twill rain soon, and I’ll have a wet wash,” she sighed.
She bent to wring out the last sheet and hang it with the rest on the trees by the river’s edge. When she turned around again, he was right behind her, having left his horse. He was much taller than she was, and she had to look up to see his face.
“You’re so pretty—a rare beauty,” he said, wonder in his voice. “I saw you passing the cattle yard.”
“And decided to follow me?”
“Aye.”
“Is that a habit of yours then, following girls?” Sheena bantered.
But he remained serious. “Can I kiss you, lass?”
The sudden request shocked her. “I’ll box your ears,” she replied tartly.
He laughed, relaxing a little. “You’re a saucy wench. ’Tis plain to see you’ve no man to answer to.”
“And you’re much too bold for my liking,” she returned, uneasy now. His eyes were devouring her, no longer simply appreciative.
She tried to move past him, but he put out his arms to stop her. “You’ll no’ be running off when I’ve only just found you. You may be a vision, but I won’t let you dissolve.”
His arms were stretched wide, and Sheena suspected he would grab her if she dared move. She didn’t like this one bit. He was young, but he was big. And a Highlander, too.
“What is it you want then?” She glared at him.
“You’re much too bonny to be begging for your keep. I’d like to be your man and take care of you.”
By then, Sheena was completely unnerved. But wasn’t it just like a Highlander to be insanely impulsive?
“You’ve no’ much sense, lad,” she scoffed. “You’re barely more than a boy yourself, so how can you take care of me?”
He scowled, and Sheena had a glimpse of the man he would be one day, fierce and temperamental. She shouldn’t have laughed, she realized too late. Highlanders didn’t take lightly to being ridiculed, and this one was very proud.
“I shouldna have asked you, lass,” he said stiffly, but she felt no less on guard.
“I’m glad you understand that.”
“Nay. I should have done what my brother would do.”
Sheena felt her heart constrict at the ominous tone.
“He’d have taken you…and so shall I.”
His hand gripped her arm, and Sheena screamed. She was lifted in his arms, screaming. Neither her screaming nor her struggles bothered him at all. There was even a glint of amusement in his eyes.
The Highlander wasted no time. She was thrown atop his horse, and he was behind her in an instant, his arms circling her so she couldn’t move. His arms bound her firmly in front of him as the horse charged into the shallow river, crossing to the south side. Sheena’s boots and long skirt were soaked, but she wasn’t thinking of anything except how distraught her aunt would be. What would she make of Sheena’s disappearance? She would send word home, of course. Poor Niall. Would he think she had run away? And her father? He had denied her his protection, and this had happened because of his decision. He would be so upset! She could find nothing soothing in that thought, however.
“Where are you taking me?” Sheena shouted over the wind.
“To my home.”
“For how long?”
“Why, forever.”
