They rode out beneath a sky strewn with stars, the path narrowing as it wound away from the castle and down toward the loch. The world seemed to soften around them, the sounds of the castle fading until there was only the quiet rhythm of hooves and the whisper of night air.
When the loch finally came into view, Eva gasped despite herself. Moonlight lay like silver glass across the water, framed by dark trees and rolling hills that seemed to cradle the shore.
“It’s beautiful,” Eva murmured, slipping from the saddle when Connor helped her down. “I’ve never seen anythin’ like it.”
Connor watched her for a moment, pleased by her wonder. “Aye,” he said quietly, “it’s one of me favorite places. I thought ye might like it.” She turned to him, eyes bright. “I love it,” she said simply.
Connor led her to the water’s edge, where reeds whispered, and insects hummed softly in the dark. He handed her a fishing line and a worm. He grinned when she stared at it as though it were a snake.
“Right then,” he said, amusement coloring his voice, “first lesson is baitin’ the hook.”
Eva wrinkled her nose. “I daenae ken about this,” she said, laughing. “It’s wrigglin’ at me.”
“Hold it firm,” Connor instructed, stepping closer and guiding her hands with his own. “It willnae bite ye, I promise.”
Eva squeaked as the bait slipped, nearly dropping the line, and Connor laughed outright.
“Gods, Eva, ye’re braver than most men I ken, but a wee worm has ye bested.”
She shot him a glare. “Keep laughin’, Laird, and I’ll toss it at ye.”
Once the line was set, Connor showed her how to cast, his arm moving smoothly as he demonstrated. Eva tried to mimic him, but her first attempt sent the line slapping uselessly against the water.
“That wasnae graceful,” she said, biting her lip.
Connor shook his head, still smiling. “Again,” he encouraged. “Ye can do this.”
They stood side by side, laughter punctuating the quiet as Eva’s casts grew better, though not always successful. At one point, she nearly tangled the line around Connor’s arm, and he raised a brow.
“Is that how ye plan to catch supper?” he teased.
Eva laughed, breathless and happy. “Maybe I’ll catch ye instead,” she replied, surprising herself with the boldness of it.
Time slipped past unnoticed until Eva felt a sharp tug on her line.
“Connor,” she whispered urgently, eyes wide, “somethin’s pullin’!”
He moved behind her, hands steadying hers. “Easy now,” he murmured, close enough that she could feel his breath. “Pull it in slow.”
Eva tried, heart pounding, but the fish thrashed wildly.
With a startled cry, Eva lost her grip just as the fish broke the surface and flopped free, landing squarely against her skirts. She shrieked and jumped back, laughter bubbling out of her as the fish flailed at her feet.
“Oh nay, it’s on me!” she exclaimed.
Connor doubled over, laughing harder than she’d ever seen him laugh.
“Ye caught it, all right,” he said, “just nae as planned.”
Her dress was smeared with mud and water, but Eva hardly noticed as she bent to look at her catch.
“I did it,” she said proudly, holding up the slippery fish with both hands. “I actually did it.”
Connor nodded, admiration plain on his face. “Aye, ye did,” he said softly. “And ye dinnae even scream much.”
Eva laughed, her cheeks aching with it, and wiped her hands on the grass without a care.
“I daenae mind bein’ dirty,” she admitted. “This is too much fun.”
