Page 102 of Promised to the Forbidden Laird

Roy extended one hand toward her. The gesture was absurd, reckless even. It was also entirely unlike the grim man who had spent the morning arranging patrols and worrying himself toward madness over dangers no map could contain.

Donaldina removed her cloak. She placed it beside his, kicked off her shoes, and lifted the hem of her skirts before stepping into the pool.

Cold seized her feet. She gasped.

Roy’s satisfaction was immediate. “Lachlan was correct.”

“He was frequently mistaken.”

Donaldina took another step. Icy water rushed around her calves.

“He specifically mentioned complaining,” Roy said.

“I am nae complaining. I am observing that this water has recently been snow.”

“It hasnae.”

“Then it has ambitions.”

Roy laughed. The sound moved through the clearing, startling a bird from the branches. Donaldina had heard him laugh before, but never without someone nearby to witness it and make him regret it.

Here, there was no one, only her.

She waded farther. Her skirts grew heavy as the water climbed, pulling against her legs. By the time she reached Roy, the cold had stolen her breath and soaked her gown nearly to the waist.

“This was a foolish idea,” she informed him.

“Aye.”

“I am pleased ye recognize it.”

He moved suddenly, sweeping one hand through the surface. Water struck her chest. Donaldina stared at him.

Roy’s expression was innocent.

“A current,” he explained.

She threw water into his face. What began as retaliation became war with remarkable speed. Donaldina splashed him again and attempted to retreat toward the shallows, but her sodden skirts tangled around her legs. Roy caught her hand before she fell, though he used the opportunity to send another sheet of water over her shoulder.

She shrieked. “Coward!”

“An unusual charge from the woman retreating.”

“Me gown weighs more than yer horse!”

“Remove it.”

Donaldina stopped. Roy seemed to hear the words only after they had left his mouth. His gaze dropped briefly to the dark wool clinging to her body before returning to her face.

The laughter faded between them.

Mist drifted from the waterfall. Water moved around their waists, cold and ceaseless.

Donaldina lifted her chin. “Turn around.”

Roy obeyed at once. She watched his broad back for a moment, strangely moved by the ease with which he granted what she asked. There was no teasing and no attempt to look.

She loosened the wet outer gown and stepped free of it with considerable difficulty, leaving herself in her linen shift and stockings. She carried the gown toward the bank and spread it across a sun-warmed rock.