Page 20 of A Highlander's Vow

Chapter Nine

Even though Meganwas concerned that either Gunn or her uncle were on their trail, she was not scared enough to skip her breakfast. Gregory also asked the tavern lass if she could make them a couple of sandwiches to take with them.

Megan thought that was a wonderful idea since she had little desire to stop at another village if whoever was after her was that close.

“How do ye suppose they caught up to us so soon?” Megan asked as they reached the village stable.

Gregory threw her over the horse’s back, handed her the sack of food and climbed up behind her. “I doona ken. Mayhap Gunn’s men have an exceptional tracker with them.”

“’Tis only my opinion, but from what I’ve seen, if there is only one mon after us, he would be no threat to ye.”

Gregory leaned forward to look her in the face. He grinned. “What does that mean?”

She shrugged her shoulders, her face tingling so that she knew it was turning a tad red. “Um, only that I think ye would win just about any fight ye got into.”

The fool mon laughed out loud, probably scaring the small animals in the woods. “Ye think so, lass? So ye think I can beat just about anyone?”

“Oh, stop it.” She turned forward and pulled the plaid around hershoulders. “The last thing ye need are more ways to add to yer arrogance.”

He continued to chuckle so long she thought about hitting him with sack of food they carried, but it wasn’t strong enough to do anything to his hard head.

In spite of his laughter, Gregory seemed to grow more tense as they rode off. She picked up on it and, now aware of every sound, felt her muscles tighten. They rode like that for the entire morning until Gregory said, “We need to stop. The horse needs a break or we won’t make the entire trip.”

Megan nodded, grateful for a chance to ease her muscles. Gregory led the horse to another creek. He jumped off and wrapped his hands around her waist, placing her on the ground. He stared at her for a minute, his blue eyes saying something she didn’t understand. Then after brushing the hair off her face, he cupped her cheeks and lowered his mouth to hers.

Startled at first, she tensed up again, but then relaxed against his warm body. He tilted her head and nudged her lips. She opened and he swept in, touching and stroking with his tongue. When she moaned he placed his large hands on her lower back and pulled her close.

In his arms, it was difficult to remember why she was not happy to marry him. He was strong, protective, intelligent, and handsome.

It is my duty.

She pushed those words away as different parts of her body woke up and things she’d never felt before raised her temperature so she no longer needed the wrap.

Gregory pulled away and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Ye kiss fine, lass.”

She grinned. “So do ye.”

He led the horse to the creek and Megan followed them.

Robert had never given her any sort of a compliment. ’Twas probably because he found her wanting when it came to bedding her.

She knelt on the ground, scooped up the clear, cold water and drank. She also gave herself a quick face and hand wash to refresh herself.

Gregory squatted alongside her. “I doona ken who the mon was looking for us in the village, but I have a verra good suspicion ’twas one of Gunn’s men.”

“I thought this was an unknown path?”

“Nay. ’Tis no’ verra unknown but few travelers use it because it takes ye away from the main road in such a way that it adds time to yer trip. Also there is a mountain pass that a lot of people want to avoid. Most prefer the better known paths to Castle Leod.”

He looked up at the sky and then turned to her. “Just so ye ken lass, in a short time we will reach that mountain pass. I’ve been over it many times, but it’s verra narrow and ye need to stay as still as ye can while we’re crossing.”

“Is it dangerous?” Megan asked.

Gregory smiled. “Life is dangerous, lass.” He immediately regretted his words, thinking about Megan’s recent loss.

She ignored his comment, which made him wonder once again about her marriage to the man he thought he knew so well.

He took his turn drinking from the creek, thinking about the mountain cross coming up. It wasn’t long, maybe two miles. But he had to keep his concentration for them to make it safely to the end. From there it would be a very short ride to the castle. Maybe just one more day.