Page 26 of A Highlander's Bride

Daniel shook his head. “I am no’ surprised, I can see ye whispering in yer da’s ear.”

Beth let out with a burst of laughter. “Nay. I dinna do any whispering. I stated my opinion—when my da asked for it—and he generally agreed with me. ’Twas almost as if he was preparing me for clan leader.”

It hadn’t occurred to him that Beth might be out of reach if she was destined to be Munro Clan Chief since some clans were set up to pass to a female. “Preparing for clan leader? Is that why yer da let ye go so long without arranging a marriage for ye?”

“Nay. I doona inherit when my da passes. Since my parents had all girls, the Clan Chief position goes to my cousin, Nathan, my da’s brother’s oldest son. I think da just enjoyed watching me tease my mam by doing another thing not considered proper for a lass.”

He laughed at the panic that had at first gripped him, realizing if she had been in line for the clan chief position, she would have said so before now because that would have been a perfect excuse for her not wanting to marry. He also chided himself because her parents would not have consented to this visit if she was slated for such a future.

He swung his leg over his horse. “Are ye ready?”

“Aye.”

“If yer ankle starts to trouble ye, let me know and we will stop.”

*

Beth nodded andfollowed Daniel as he rode away from the castle and in a different direction than where they’d gone before when they visited the village.

The air was cool and crisp. Even though the Highlands never got hot, the summer, which was growing closer, made the air very comfortable. The scant sun warmed her further as they traveled over hills and small valleys. She had no idea how vast the Mackenzie clan lands were. She knew like most large clans, there were a number of various castles within the Mackenzie clan, each having its own chieftain, with Daniel being the Clan Chief.

Daniel slowed his horse down and waved to her right. “We take that path through the woods.”

Beth nodded, turned her horse and followed Daniel. There was a definite path through the wooded area, but not wide enough for them to ride side by side. Their positions gave her an excellent view of Daniel’s strong warrior body. His tight buttocks, bulging thighs, and massive shoulders made her feel small. And very strange.

She had wanted to continue with their kiss the other night but was somewhat grateful when he backed up and left her room. She was finding the man much too attractive and didn’t think she would have stopped him had he not had the common sense to do so.

Within minutes it seemed, they broke free of the woods and faced five bothies in a circle.

Each one had a garden of flowers in the front with vegetables and what appeared to be herbs in the back. Several bairns ran around the space, chasing each other and a few puppies.

Acres of land stretched beyond the bothies with sheep wandering about with sheep dogs and a few men keeping them from leaving the flock.

“Laird, how good of ye to visit us.” A plump, cheerful lookingwoman came out of one of the bothies, wiping her hands on a well-used apron.

Daniel jumped from his horse and then helped Beth down. She stumbled a bit when her ankle gave her a sharp pain.

“Are ye all right, lass?” Daniel asked as he grabbed her around her waist.

“Aye. My first time riding since the injury, and I’m afraid ’tis a tad stiff.”

Still supporting her, he walked her over to where the woman stood. “Mrs. Sarah Mackenzie, may I present Lady Beth Munro, a guest at Castle Leod.”

A man came around from the back of the house. He stuck his dirty hand out and Daniel took it with no problem. A true laird.

The man looked like the perfect husband to the woman. He was large, with hands as big as gloves, patched trousers, and a sturdy work shirt. A cap covered his head, and his smile was very engaging. “Good to see ye my laird. Do ye have a minute to look over a patch of land I had an idea for, just a mile or so?”

“Aye.” He turned to Beth. I think ye’d be better off here with yer ankle still troubling ye.”

“Are ye no’ well, Lady Beth?” Sarah said, looking concerned.

“I hurt my ankle last week and ’tis still a tad sore.”

The woman reached out for her and took her arm. “Come inside, lass, and I’ll fix ye some tea. I have lovely teacakes I made this morning and if I wait too long, this group,” she motioned with her head to the bairns, “will eat them all. And I have a salve the healer gave me for my husband’s sore muscles that might help ye.”

Feeling welcomed, which felt familiar from visits with her own clan members, she wondered what Mrs. Mackenzie thought of her being with the laird. Too polite to ask, of course, she could imagine what ideas were going through the woman’s mind.

The inside of the bothy was just as well-kept as the outsidegardens. The furnishings were worn but clean. The house smelled of biscuits and the dishes piled in the sink were a testimony to the baking the woman had done.