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Idon’t know if I approve of this.” MacDuff was frowning as he approached Jane, who was mounting her horse outside the main stables. “It doesn’t make sense. You’re not going to find anything at Jamie’s house.” He glanced at Sean Rodland. “Did you encourage her? You both should stay at the castle.”
“I just obey orders.” Rodland swung onto the back of the chestnut. “And you’re the one who told her you found those first books at Jamie MacDuff’s house, sir. But I’ve looked over the route this morning and it’s clear. I’ll check the house interior before I let her enter. May I suggest you have a few of your men follow us? It would make you feel better. That way you wouldn’t have to totally trust me. After all, I’m a stranger to you.”
And crafty as hell, Jane thought, smothering a smile as she swung onto the bay stallion. But she doubted if MacDuff would fall for it.
He didn’t. “You’re definitely a strange one,” he said. “Do you even know how to ride a horse?”
“Not well, but I tend to get along with both man and beast.” He lowered his eyes as he leaned forward to pat the chestnut’s neck. “Though I occasionally have problems with keeping ahead of women like Jane. But you’ll understand, since you have the same cross to bear.”
“I don’t know what you mean. Jane and I get along splendidly.” He turned to Jane. “You won’t change your mind?”
“I have to see for myself if Fiona left anything else there besides those two books you found and restored. You weren’t looking for anything to do with railroads or paintings at the time.” She waved her hand around to indicate the beauty of the horses, the trees, and the brilliant blue of the sky above them. “Besides, I need to see something other than the four walls I’ve been looking at down in those storage rooms. It’s only five or six miles from the castle. Rodland is right—if it will make you feel better, send someone to escort us.” She made a face. “Only not too close on our heels. I’d feel like Princess Di under siege by paparazzi. And there’s nothing royal about me, thank heavens.”
“You never know,” MacDuff murmured. “There are stories about the MacDuffs and Bonnie Prince Charlie.” He started to laugh as she opened her lips to protest. “Okay, okay. But I’ll send Fergus and a couple of the marines to follow you in one of the cars. You’ll be back inside the castle gates by dark?”
“Whatever the laird decrees,” she said. “Even when he’s ridiculous. Bye, MacDuff.” She nudged the horse and he trotted toward the road. “Come along, Rodland, I’m in the mood for a brisk run.”
“Whatever you say. Maybe after this horse becomes used to me.” He added in a low tone, “And we reach the curve in the road ahead so that MacDuff won’t see me fall on my ass. It would seriously damage the balance of power we have between us.”
She pulled in her horse and grinned at him. “And MacDuff would enjoy it far too much. We can’t have that.” She gazed critically at him. “You look good on that horse.”
“Pure show. So you’re going to spare me the humiliation?”
“I’m thinking about it,” she said. “We appear to have reached the curve in the road.” Then she nodded. “It would probably be traumatic to your horse to have you flying over her head. Maisie is supposed to be gentle and ladylike. Why don’t you just get to know her on the road to Jamie’s house? Then we’ll see how you do on the ride back.”
“It works for me. Her name is Maisie? I knew a bar girl in Dublin by that name.” He grinned. “But she was neither gentle nor ladylike.”
“It could have been a response to how you treated her,” Jane said. “Give Maisie her due and you might survive until we get to Jamie’s house.”
“I treat all females with respect.” He patted the mare again. “I’ve always found it safer. Women have too many weapons.” His eyes twinkled. “And you never know when one will appear. Like you, Jane.”
“I’ve never drawn a weapon on you.”
“But you might have to get what you wanted,” he said. “And I believe a weapon would have definitely been an option to protect Caleb. Yes?”
“Yes.”
“But I feel perfectly safe because I’m no threat to you. I’m on your side all the way. Teach me how to get along with Maisie, and I’ll forgive you for making me display a bit of weakness in front of MacDuff.”
“But you didn’t display it. He didn’t see it.”
“Isaw it. And that means that I’ll have to work like hell to correct it so that it won’t become a true weakness.”
“I can see that would be a terrible thing.”
“It’s the only way I’ve been able to survive,” he said simply.
She realized that he meant it. “And how are you going to correct it? Become a rodeo rider?”
“Maybe.” He smiled. “That might be amusing if I can stand the bumps and bruises. I’ll have to think about it. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to erase that moment of weakness from your memory.”
“I can hardly wait,” she said sincerely before she kicked her horse into a trot. “We’ve got to get moving or Fergus and the marines will be catching up with us. Jocko is my horse’s name and he’s a little more spirited than Maisie. Would you mind if I have a short run and leave you and Maisie to get to know each other?”
“By all means.” He waved her away. “That appears to be the name of the game. Hopefully we’ll catch up with you by the time you reach Jamie MacDuff’s place.”
But Jane had to wait over fifteen minutes until Rodland ambled up to the front entrance on Maisie.
“I was wondering if she threw you.” Jane nodded at the Range Rover parked in the trees a short distance away. “Even Fergus and his men got here before you did.” She glanced at Maisie. “But you seem to be doing okay together.”
