"The maids cleaned my dress last night andhung it by the fire. I think it should be dry by now."
"Take that one, too, if you wish." He darteda brief glance down at the dress she'd borrowed. It moldedperfectly to her sweet curves. "It certainly becomes you." He darednot stare overlong at her lush body. Not only was it rude inpublic, but it also put too many lusty thoughts into his head atthe wrong time. He was just discovering how much he truly liked herand already he was going to have to say goodbye. "I'm sorry I…abducted you," he murmured.
She offered a crooked smile. "Only becauseI'm the wrong woman."
"Nay. I'm sorry I frightened you and tied youup."
"I'm not."
"What?" He searched her face. How could shemean those words?
Her smile widened. "If you had not kidnappedme and tied me up, we couldn't have shared…" Her voice lowered to awhisper. "What we just did in your chamber."
Desire seared his body. Damnation, how hewanted to carry her back upstairs for more bedding. But… hecouldn't.
He glanced around, trying to remember what hewas supposed to be doing. Aye, taking her home… the last thing onearth he wished to do.
Though he wanted to say more to her, his mindand tongue were not in accordance. Who kenned what he might blurtout in this turbulent state?
"Unfortunately, we must leave soon," heforced himself to say, then strode away toward the stables. Geordiechased after him with his sword and other weapons. After donningthem, he had a groom to saddle a fleet-footed mare for Camille.Dugald could not tolerate her riding on the same horse with himagain. She aroused him to near madness every time he touchedher.
When he thought of the two chiefs' daughtershe was trying to decide between, he felt nothing but miserable.Aye, the lasses were young and lovely, and they both seemedinterested in him, if a bit wary. But neither of them stood out. Infact, he rarely thought of them. He had a duty to the clan to marrysomeone of his own social rank or higher. Anything he could do tobetter the clan was his responsibility. His own mother had been theyounger daughter of a Scottish earl with a large dowry. How couldhe do any less for the clan? If he could gain them more fertilelands to tend, that would help them all tremendously.
"We are ready, m'laird," Owen said, startlinghim out of his deep thoughts.
Dugald glanced around to find Camille waitinga few yards away. The rest of his men milled about the courtyardand some were already in their saddles.
Dugald strode toward her. "Are you ready tomount?"
"Oui, monsieur."
He wished she would call him Dugald, but hesupposed she was being proper and polite. Or was she beingimpersonal?
Frowning, he led her to the mare and liftedher into the saddle. Her narrow waist within his hands reminded himof when they'd been in bed and he'd touched every part of her.Hell, he wanted that again. Now. Certain parts of his body did notcare that they were surrounded by his garrison. When her eyes methis, a sensation like lightning flashed through him. Though he didnot want to look away, he forced himself to. With regret, hemounted his own horse.
***
They had gotten a late start and were nottraveling as fast as they had the day before. By mid-afternoon thesky became thick with clouds and a light mist fell. The raingradually increased and so did the wind. Dugald was used to thissort of normal Scottish weather, but he could not allow Camille tostay out in it. She might catch an ague. And he was not sure thetent would provide good enough shelter in this wind and rain.
"We go to MacVay holdings!" he shouted to hismen. "He will provide us shelter for the night."
Several of his men look relieved.
Aye, the MacVay chief would be a good host,but Dugald did not truly want to go there. MacVay's daughter wasone of the young ladies he was considering for a bride. But 'twasthe only place nearby where they could seek hospitality.
A quarter hour later, the whole drenchedgarrison entered the bailey of the castle. Dugald helped Camilledismount and escorted her into the great hall. Chief MacVay greetedhim jovially. The man would read too much into this. He would seeit as Dugald coming to visit his daughter. At least, he thought hewould, until the older man's gaze landed on Camille at hisside.
MacVay paused, frowning. "And who do I havethe pleasure of meeting?"
"This is Lady Camille Bouchard."
Camille shot Dugald a questioning glance asMacVay took her hand and kissed the back. Aye, he knew her titlewas notlady, but she would be treated better if everyonehere thought she was. Besides, she no doubt lived like a lady sinceher cousin was a countess.
"Enchanté, monsieur."
"A pleasure to meet you,madame. Andhow did you come upon a French lady, MacKerrick?" MacVay's gazesnapped to him.
"She… happened to be traveling south, goinghome and… we offered to escort her since we were going in the samedirection." He was glad to think up the excuse quickly. He sure ashell couldn't tell the man he'd taken her hostage by mistake. Also,he didn't want the man to think any less of Camille, a womantraveling alone with several men.
