Page 32 of Reckless Desire

Kenna eyed him. “Are you ill?”

He frowned. “Ill? Nae. Why?”

“You must admit you are acting oddly.”

He pursed his lips. “I cannot deny that, Miss Ramsay. God willing, it is an affliction I can cure myself of once I escape your presence.”

She stared. “Escape my presence? What have I to do with your ailment?”

He muttered something unintelligible, then pushed to his feet. “We had better find our way back to my horse so that I can find shelter. Falcon Inn is a twenty minute ride. That is closer than trying to return to Inverness.” His eyes raked her body. “In those wet clothes, you will catch your death.”

“I’ve never been sick a day in my life,” she said, then realized that while she wasn’t worried about sickness, her clothes were drenched. Petticoat and dress clung to her body like a second skin. This was a much bigger scandal than last night when Lord Newhall fought Lord Wilshire, but no one would know about it. Kenna looked up at the viscount. She’d never known a man who irritated her more. She stood and wobbled slightly. Her legs still felt like jelly. Of course, this time, he didn’t offer help.

She braced a foot to steady herself on the incline and tucked loose hair behind her right ear. “Do you know where you left your horse?”

He seemed not to hear her, but stared upriver.

“Did you hear me?” she said.

He nodded. “I am wondering what happened to your friend.”

“My friend?” Then she understood. “He is no’ my friend.”

“Whatever the case, I wonder what happened to him.”

“He was probably washed down into the rapids.”

Lord Newhall gave a slow nod. “Perhaps, though I did not see him. In any case, my horse is on the far bank not far from the carriage, but we cannot cross there.”

The cold of her wet clothes began to seep deeper into her bones. She resisted the urge to rub her arms. “You know how far we have to walk before we can cross or come to a road?”

“I have never been down here, but I would guess perhaps half a mile. We must climb off this bank first, however.” He nodded upward along the steep incline. “Use the trees to pull yourself up.”

Like he had used the trees to pull them out of the water. That had been very clever of him. He looked at her and her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. He was a gentleman, however, and kept his gaze on her face.

She straightened. “The sooner we find your horse, the sooner you can escape my company.”

He gave a curt nod and she grasped the nearest branch within reach and began to pull herself up the hill. He climbed behind her, and Kenna realized he intended to catch her if she slipped. A smidgen of guilt niggled. Her attempt at escape had only gotten her caught by Lord Hensley’s driver. Had the man succeeded in taking her back, no doubt, the viscount would have tied her up for the duration of their trip for fear she might try to escape again—which she would have. That means Lord Newhall had saved her. Though, she still believed he would have been wiser to have waited until the driver had returned her to level ground before attacking. He’d raced downhill like a madman with no sense at all, which she suspected was how Lord Newhall handled most situations.

She grabbed another branch and pulled herself up another step. The ridiculous slippers she wore were useless on the steep, moist ground. Her foot slipped. She started to fall backwards. Her heart jumped as she envisioned herself tumbling down the hill and back into the river. Strong fingers closed around her arm and she found herself yanked upward, her back against his chest. Kenna slumped against him and drew in a deep breath in an effort to still her thudding heart.

“Are you unharmed?” he asked.

His voice seemed to rumble deep in his chest. Kenna became aware of the delicious warmth emanating from his broad chest and the arms banded around her.

“Miss Ramsay?” he said.

“What—oh, aye. Thank you. I am fine. These silly slippers are not meant for climbing hills.”

He chuckled. “Nae, I imagine not. We are close to the top. If you do not mind, I will stay close. I would rather not risk you falling.”

Kenna nodded, and he released her. Gooseflesh raced across her arms, but she ignored the sudden chill and began climbing. True to his word, Lord Newhall remained close behind until they reached the top. He slid an arm around her waist and took the final two steps, pulling her up alongside him. He took two more steps away from the edge, then released her. Kenna hurried forward half a dozen paces before turning and looking through the trees down at the water. The rapids looked even more treacherous from this vantage. She shivered.

“Is something wrong, Miss Ramsay?”

She kept her gaze on the water and nodded.

“Hensley did not…harm you?”