"Look at it this way—people will stay away from you." The humor in his tone grated on her nerves.
"'Tis not funny. I'll not go into town stinking of pee."
"What do you think the town smells like? No one will notice."
She ground her teeth. "I'm sensitive to horrible odors. That makes me want to retch."
"I'll carry thearisaidfor now, but if we encounter people, you will need to put it on. And I'm thinking you'll survive." Again, his amusement came through in his tone.
"I told you, I hate the stench of it."
They made their way back to the road, her hand around his elbow so she wouldn't step in a hole on the muddy road and fall.
"You don't want someone to report seeing a fancy lady in the company of an outlaw wearing a moth-eaten plaid, do you?" He glanced down at his clothing. "I dressed this way intentionally."
She'd thought he had no choice in the matter. "Why do you dress that way?"
He was silent for a long moment, then snapped, "You ask too many questions. Save your breath. We have miles to walk to reach the harbor."
At his boorish tone, she snatched her hand away from his elbow.
"What's wrong?"
"I can walk on my own. I thank you very much." She should be used to irritable men, given who her brother was, but with Dugald she could overlook it. With Darack she wasn't sure she could. He had been kind and understanding since she'd encountered him in the stables. For him to suddenly become bossy and bad-tempered annoyed her. And even hurt her feelings a wee bit.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
"Aye, but what does it matter? I'm a strong woman. I can endure it."
"I have no doubt of it, but if you become too tired and weak to walk, I'll carry you."
"What? Nay!" she said. His words startled her. She didn't know if he was being kind or showing off how strong he was. Anyway, if she became incapable of walking, it would be because she'd passed out. Otherwise, she was showing no weakness before him.
"'Twill be a long journey if you argue with everything I say the entire time," he said.
"I'm not arguing. I'm simply telling you that I'm strong enough to walk." Though she did not like his attitude, she forced herself to ignore it. 'Twas not much different from Dugald's brusque tone, and she had dealt with him the whole of her life.
She needed to throw off the spoiled label her brothers had always saddled her with. After all, she was a grown woman, not a wee lass anymore. She straightened her shoulders, trying to look stronger, at least, even if she didn't yet feel that way, and walked faster.
"All my life, I've been hiding out and lying low while in certain areas of the country, especially the Lowlands," he said. "If you wish to stay alive long enough to reach your home, you must do everything I say."
She rolled her eyes, then glared at his shadowy form in the moonlight. 'Twas too much for her to ignore. "Bossy, are we?"
He sighed.
"Fine," she said. "I will do what you say, unless it's something completely stupid."
"Do not question it, even if it sounds stupid. I'll not be steering you wrong, lass." This last he said with gentle intensity, as if urging her to trust in him.
Obviously, she did trust him to an extent, otherwise she would've never left with him. Still, she didn't know him very well.
"Why are you helping me, Darack? Truly?"
Silent for a long moment, he glanced about as if searching for the answer. "I like your brothers and your whole clan. They've been friendly to my clan. If I had a sister in a mess like you're in, I'd want Dugald orTòmasto help her return home, if he could. 'Tis what Highlanders do—assist one another. Family is the most important thing."
"Aye," she said softly. His simple words made her throat tighten and her eyes burn. She'd heard the heartfelt sentiment beneath. He didn't have much, but he still had family and friends. And his Highland honor. Indeed, family was most important. She would give everything she owned to be back at Rornoch already. The dresses of her trousseau had been so important to her when she'd had them made, but now she realized how little they meant and how shallow she'd been.
Another thought came to her—maybe Darack was brusque and bossy at times because he'd had a difficult life, which had hardened him to an extent. But still, he cared about family.
They continued walking for another a half hour, then he turned abruptly and looked back. Faintly, she heard the clomping of hooves.
