Page 12 of The Highlander’s Dangerous Desire

“Liniment? You mean… horse salve?”

“Dinnae complain. It works.” Ewan raised an eyebrow. “And if ye ask nicely, I’ll even rub some intae yer back as well. I ken yer muscles are sore from yesterday.”

The look she gave him would have scorched stone. “I do not need that much help, thank you.”

Ewan laughed, and nudged his horse out in front once more.

CHAPTER SIX

As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Grace did find controlling her horse easier once she started to become accustomed to riding astride. However, it wasn’t comfortable, and after a few candle-marks, she found herself beginning to chafe in some very delicate places. Nonetheless, she refused to complain, beyond her original comment. She was unwilling to give Ewan the satisfaction of thinking her soft.

They rode until dusk, when they entered a small village. To her chagrin, there was no inn, but Ewan paid a farmer to let them stay in his horse stable for the night. The structure was small, but at least it had four walls and some privacy, and the horses were mercifully out on the meadows - the moors, Ewan called them - for the evening. By then, Grace was tired enough not to protest.

Climbing off her horse was physically painful, and she staggered. To her surprise, strong hands caught her around the waist. “Easy. The first day or two isnae kind tae new riders.”

Grace whimpered softly. Her back ached, and her hips and inner thighs hurt terribly. The skin felt sore and stiff, and scraped raw.

“Here. Lean back again’ the straw, just relax. Give me a moment tae unsaddle the horses.” To her surprise, Ewan’s voice was gentle and kind, rather than teasing or dismissive. A moment later, a small flask was pressed into her hand. “Drink a swallow or two o’ this.”

Grace swallowed, then coughed. “What is this?”

“Whisky. ‘Tis potent, but will ease yer aches and relax the sore muscles. And I’ll have yer liniment fer ye in a moment.”

Grace swallowed, her stomach clenching. “I wouldn’t want…”

Ewan smiled softly. “Och, dinnae worry. I’ll nae dae more than is needed tae make ye more comfortable. Once the whisky and the liniment sinks in, then ye’ll be able tae tend tae those areas ye dinnae want me touching.”

Grace felt her cheeks begin to heat in a renewed blush and bit the inside of her lip. She seemed to do little else besides blush and argue with Ewan. She wished she knew how to have a conversation without doing one or the other. “I… thank you.”

“Ye’re welcome enough. ‘Tis the least I can dae.” Ewan shrugged. “Ye’ve done well, fer a lass who daesnae seem used tae hard riding, or sittin’ in the saddle fer long periods o’ time.”

“My uncle has never encouraged travel.” Grace shifted, winced, and decided another swallow of whisky wouldn’t go amiss. It was far stronger than she was used to, but the burn of it as it slid down her throat did seem to ease the ache slightly.

“Ye ride well, now that ye’re riding properly astride, and ye keep pace without complaining. I’ve seen me share o’ lasses who couldnae dae as well.” Ewan glanced at her. “And ye’re nae fussin’ about the accommodations fer the evening.”

Grace relaxed into the straw. “I cannot say I’m used to sleeping in a stable, however, I confess I was concerned we would be sleeping outside, on rocks and twigs. This seems more comfortable.”

Ewan grunted in response. “’Tis unwise tae sleep outside on the moors in planting and harvesting seasons. The weather is fair unpredictable, and there’s things on the moors that nae sane man would wish tae encounter.”

Before she could ask what he meant, Ewan finished with the horses and went over to crouch beside her, holding a tin of something that gave off a sharp astringent smell when he undid the cap. “Permission tae undae yer laces enough tae apply this tae yer back? Ye’ll feel better fer it.”

Her cheeks burned hot enough to set the straw ablaze, but the ache in her back was deep enough to override her modesty. “I… suppose. But only my back, if you please. And I can undo the laces myself.”

“As ye like.” Ewan’s smile was oddly kind. “Loosen the bodice, then roll over onto yer stomach.”

Heart pounding and mouth dry, she did as directed. She felt as if she might be dreaming as her hands undid the laces and loosened the top portion of her dress. After a moment, it began to slide down her shoulders. Grace clutched the dress close to her chest, then presented her back to Ewan, her face burning with a combination of mortification, uncertainty, and some emotion she could put no name to.

A large hand, fingers and palm rough with calluses, touched down lightly between her shoulders, and Grace shivered as Ewan drew the back of her dress down to expose her back. “Easy lass. Dinnae fret. I’m just going tae apply the liniment. Naught else.”

Grace forced herself to remain still as something cold touched her back. The sharp astringent smell intensified as Ewan applied the salve to her back, starting at the top of her shoulders and moving slowly downward. The salve felt cool at first, but then it warmed, and then it began to seep into her sore muscles. Combined with the effects of the whisky she had consumed, the tightness began to fade into relaxation. “That feels…”

“Aye. ‘Tis good for horses, but warriors use it too, after long patrols or long days trainin’.” Ewan’s hands were gentle, though the roughness of his callused hands felt strange against her skin. It made her stomach flutter in a manner that wasn’t altogether unpleasant.

Ewan finished smoothing the salve into her back and gently pulled the back of her dress back up. “There. Come mornin’ ye’ll feel well enough tae ride the length o’ the Highlands.”

Grace laughed softly as she sat up and relaced her bodice. “I pray I do not have to ride so far - and surely we’ll not try to ride the entire distance tomorrow.”

Ewan laughed. Unmarred by anger or tension, his voice was low and pleasant. “Nay, we’ll nae try tae make the distance in a day, and we’ll nae be going quite tae the farthest end o’ the Highlands. Perhaps two-thirds o’ the way, and I expect twill tak’ the better part o’ a seven-day, perhaps a fortnight if the weather isnae good.”