Page 32 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Benedict led Evelyn to the waiting horse and gently, but with ease, for it felt as though she weighed nothing at all, lifted her up onto it. A second later, he was sitting close behind her with the reins in hand.

“We couldnae have taken two horses?” Evelyn said, sounding a little breathless as they left through the castle gate.

“I’d like us tae get home this night, Evelyn,” Benedict teased. “The idea of ye trying tae steer a horse in a drunken state doesnae bear thinking about.”

“Ah, I see,” she replied. While he could not see it, Benedict could hear the smile in her voice.

As they continued, however, he had to wonder if his decision to travel on one horse had been a good idea. Pressed so close against her, there were ruminations in parts of his body that might cause him embarrassment if he was not careful. And yet, he could not help himself. With the reins held in one hand, he slipped the other around her waist, pulling her even closer into him. He heard her gasp, and could only smile at her reaction.

“Are ye afraid I might fall?” she asked tentatively.

“Something like that,” he growled back.

And then she surprised him by snuggling further into him. Her soft scent caught in his nostrils, and his groin ached at her closeness, and yet, as torturous as it was, he did not want to let her go.

But ye will have tae soon. When yer braither returns, ye will have tae let her go forever.

Benedict pushed that thought from his mind, as if ignoring it might make it untrue. When Audor came home, he would indeed, need to take a step back. But at that very moment, he was not there, and thus, Benedict was going to take the opportunity of being near Evelyn, no matter how foolish his actions were.

The Golden Gillwas far busier than the last time they had been there, and upon arrival, Benedict found himself being welcomed warmly, and loudly, by all those present. When he had finished greeting all who approached him, as well as introducing Evelyn to those who had not yet met her, he threaded his way through the tavern in search of a table.

“Here, me laird,” Charles Gunn said, waving them over. “Please. Take mine.”

“Thank ye, Charles. ‘Tis very good o’ ye.”

Soon afterwards, James battled through the throngs with a tankard of ale in each hand.

“Can I get ye any food, me laird?” James asked, as hospitable as he always was.

“Nae this night, James. Just make certain ye keep them coming.” Benedict nodded to the tankards.

“Aye, me laird.” James grinned, before turning away and battling back through the crowd again.

Looking at Evelyn, Benedict lifted his tankard. “Yer first challenge.” He nodded to her drink. “Ye have tae finish yers ‘afore I can finish mine.”

Evelyn’s mouth fell open, and Benedict burst out a hearty laugh.

“There isnae a chance I can dae it,” she gasped.

“Och, come on. Ye have tae give it a try.”

Grabbing her tankard in her hand, Evelyn looked at it fearfully, before looking back at Benedict.

“Are ye ready?” he challenged.

“Nae really,” she replied with wide eyes.

“On three. One, two, three.”

While his eyes did not leave from watching her, he brought the ale to his lips and began to drink. She struggled, as he knew she would, and he watched as trickles of the ale spilled out at the side and dribbled down her chin. Seeing her gasping and staring at him, he slowed down a little to give her a chance. But he knew he would beat her no matter what. It wasn’t exactly much of a challenge.

When he slammed his tankard on the table, Evelyn was still drinking, but her tankard was tipped right back, and she was nearly there.

Eventually, gasping and choking a little, she slammed her own tankard on the table.

“That’s it, lass,” he bellowed while still chuckling.