Page 49 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

“I want to go home.”

“Home?” he repeated.

She nodded. “I will not sneak out again, I promise.”

His chest constricted. She wanted to go home, to Welbourne.

“It is but an hour’s ride,” she said

He shook his head. “I will rent a carriage.”

“Nae.” She grimaced. “I have spent enough time in a carriage in the last week. Also, a carriage ride is at least two hours.”

More, in truth, but he didn’t correct her.

“By horse, we can be there in an hour,” she said.

“A little more than an hour,” he replied.

“I know the distance, sir. It may be fifteen minutes more, but that is negligible.”

“The hour has to be past two, Alison. We will not arrive home until at least three thirty.”

“We can gallop part of the way,” she said. “Instead of a carriage, rent a second horse.”

He hesitated.

“I will not sleep a wink in that bed.” She twisted her head and motioned to the bed behind them.

He looked at her plate. “I will agree only if you finish your dinner. I will not have you falling off your horse from hunger.”

“That is silly, but I agree.”

Half an hour later, Cameron had her wrapped in a borrowed cloak and seated atop a rented horse as they headed for Welbourne. She spoke little, but gave him no cause for concern, and she rode straight in the saddle. When they turned down the lane that fronted Welbourne, he was certain he heard her draw a deep breath.

They fastened the horses to the tying post at the road, and Cameron ensured Alison had the cloak snug about her body before he hurried her up the walkway to the front door. He pulled the key from his front pocket and opened the door to find a sleepy footman coming to his feet.

“Go on to bed, lad,” Cameron quickly said. “No one else will be arriving at Welbourne this night.”

The boy blinked at him, but didn’t wait to be told twice before he scurried down the hallway and entered the servants’ stairs.

Cameron took Alison to her room, added logs to the embers in the hearth, then stood and faced her as she unclasped her cloak. “I will heat water for a bath.”

Her brows rose. “You will heat water?”

“I will have you know, madam, that I would make a very capable serving lad.”

She shook her head and waved him off. “Be gone, then, for I will not argue against a bath.”

“I trust you will not mind using the wood tub instead of the porcelain? I am capable, but carrying a porcelain tub by myself is beyond even my strength.”

Her expression sobered. “Really, sir, you need not bother yourself. I am content with a little fresh water to wash my face and arms.”

He shook his head. “I do not mind.” She frowned as if to rebut, and he added, “Alison, it is best if the servants don’t know about your clandestine activities.”

“Oh, yes. Of course, you are right.” He started to turn, and she added, “I am very sorry I put you to so much trouble.”

Cameron hesitated. She stared at him, eyes wide, expression so worried, he reached her in two steps and pulled her close. Her mouth parted in surprise in the instant before his mouth covered hers, then she melted against him. His heart jumped to a gallop, and his cock responded with startling need.