"Which clan were you born into?"
"My father was a merchant in Aberdeen. He was a Forbes but we were not exactly part of a clan like you have here." She bit her lip… punishment for more lies? If only he would stop asking the hard questions, she could stop telling him these falsehoods.
"I wish you would tell me the whole story of why you left Bearach," Neacal said.
She shook her head. "I cannot involve you in my problems." Finally, the truth. He had been so horribly injured in the past she would never wish to draw him into the danger and violence that followed her.
"'Tis part of my duties to solve problems," he muttered. "I'm not so bad at it once people let me know what the problem actually is."
She gave a small, sad smile, wishing she could tell him all.
"Determined to be stubborn, aye?" He lifted a brow, his gaze searching, trying to delve into her thoughts.
She shrugged.
His gaze sharpened upon her, as if he'd gained a sudden insight. "The reason you left… has it something to do with the visitors?"
Alarm spiked through her. "Nay." Saints, how had he figured it out? He was too brilliant for her peace of mind. 'Haps her hated lies were all for naught anyway. What if he saw right through them? Feeling doubly guilty, she shook her head. He had treated her better than anyone, and it flayed her to keep lying to him. But she couldn't tell him part of the truth without revealing all.
"You still want to go to Acharacle?" he asked.
"Aye." What choice did she have?
"Very well. I'll escort you there." He glanced up at the slate gray sky. "We may be able to reach the village before full dark. I know the tavern's owner. I'll speak to him about hiring you."
"Is he a good man?" she asked, remembering what he'd said earlier.
Neacal shrugged. "As far as I know. I've only talked to him a few times. We're not close friends."
"Why did you suggest the proprietor might take advantage of me?"
"You never know, do you? A lovely woman can make a man do insane things." His gaze darkened upon her.
A rush of heat consumed her face, for his comment was indeed flattering, and he was having some silver-tongued-devil moments, which she hadn't expected from him. But at the same time, he implied that her looks would cause men to behave in dishonorable ways. "I don't know whether to thank you or stomp your toe."
He snorted, only a hint of amusement showing in the easing of his expression. "I'm trying to be serious, lass. You cannot trust everyone. Simply because a man owns a business does not make him a good person."
"I'm well aware, but you were trying to scare me."
"Nay, only warn you to be cautious, especially when traveling alone like this."
"Well, I thank you for agreeing to take me to the village. 'Tis very generous of you."
Looking disgruntled, Neacal gave a brief bow, then extended his elbow to her. Though sad she had to disappoint him, she took his arm and again relished the solid feel of his muscles.
They descended the hillside, Dunn trotting in front. When they reached the horse, Neacal lifted her onto the pillion cushion behind the saddle, then mounted himself. She could not believe how strong he was. He'd effortlessly lifted her as if she weighed no more than a child.
"Hold on well, lass," he murmured, glancing back at her.
She did not even mind him calling her lass. In fact, she enjoyed it, for it made her feel several years younger, as she did before she'd married. Like a girl instead of a woman in her twenties. She slid both hands around his lean waist, trying not to let her fingers linger on his firm, rippled muscles.
With the gait of the horse, his hard body moved against hers, doing insane things to her. It had been so long, she'd forgotten how wonderful a man's body could feel against her. It was something that defied explanation. Why should she care what he felt like?
Maybe because he had kissed her twice.
Why would he do that? She knew he must find her attractive, but how could he think her more appealing than the bonny young girls who had come to potentially marry him? She had seen them, and some of them were stunning. Mayhap because he wasn't interested in marriage, but instead a mere physical liaison. She could not become someone's lover, even a most gorgeous chief. Heat consumed her whole body at the thought.
***
