Page 11 of Deception of a Highlander

The gray jacket she wore looked stiff, and her skirts were overfull for the narrow saddle. She would be uncomfortable on their journey, wearing her ridiculous English attire.

Mariel bent to retrieve the leather bag at her feet, and her full, creamy breasts strained against the low neckline, threatening to burst free of their confines.

Of course, if she insisted on wearing such clothes, who was he to stop her?

A slight crease appeared between her eyebrows when she straightened. “The page said you had left an hour ago. I thought…” She trailed off and sank her teeth into her full lower lip.

Kieran let his gaze settle on her mouth. He had dreamt of those very lips last night. “There was much to prepare for two unexpected riders. Skye is a long distance away and will take a significant amount of time to reach, aye?”

Her cheeks colored as she seemed to notice for the first time the laden horses behind him. “Of course, I didn’t even realize…” The smile she gave him lacked the finesse of the previous ones and appeared almost shy. “Thank you for the purchases. And for letting us join you.”

Kieran accepted the note of gratitude with a grunt. He preferred the women not to come at all and tried to ignore the prickle of guilt associated with the selfish thought. Haste was necessary if they were going to leave within the hour.

“The others are waiting for us at the stables.” He eyed the satchel in Mariel’s hand. “I trust ye are ready?”

He did not wait for her to respond before taking the bag from her and the two additional bags from Jane. For their small size, they weighed more than a sack of grain each. He hefted them over his shoulders and started toward the stables.

“The weather is perfect for travel, isn’t it?” Mariel said, appearing beside him. He felt the weight of her gaze on his face.

The sky was clear blue through the milky haze shrouding London, and the sun shone down on his back despite the icy gusts. It was a good day for travel, indeed. Although any day that marked his departure from London would have been a good day for travel.

He slowed his pace so she would not have to rush. “We will need to travel with more haste than I had anticipated. There have been…developments that have made it necessary for me to return home as quickly as possible.”

If Mariel was apprehensive, she did not show it. But then, perhaps she did not truly understand how grueling fast-paced riding could be.

“Kieran,” Colin called from the stables. His eyes immediately fixed on Mariel, and a wide grin split his face.

Kieran gave an irritated groan and steered the women to where Colin and Alec prepared the horses. Colin would waste no time introducing himself to Mariel. Or trying to get her into his bed.

Perhaps Kieran should have kissed her last night, as it was no doubt his last opportunity to have done so.

* * *

Mariel smiled as the red-haired man with kind green eyes approached her.

“Colin MacKinnon at yer service, my lady.” He bowed as low as an overzealous courtier and grasped her hand.

Through the corner of her eye, she noticed Kieran’s jaw clench. Regret lodged a bitter seed in her stomach. She would have to use that jealousy against him.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Colin.” She let his name roll off her tongue like a dainty sweet. “I’m Mariel Brandon.”

Colin’s hand lingered on hers longer than was necessary. “Ye look bonny this morning, Mariel.”

“Are the horses ready?” Kieran demanded, cutting off the conversation before it began.

Rather than answer, Colin gave Mariel a lopsided smile that revealed the deep dimple in his left cheek and winked at her before turning back to the row of stabled horses.

Kieran nodded to a man with long black hair and a wild glint in his ice-blue eyes.

“That’s Alec MacLean.”

The large Highlander met Mariel’s smile with a narrowed glare.

“Is he always so friendly?” she teased.

“Highlanders dinna like the English.” Kieran cast a pointed look down at her. “This is what ye will face on Skye, so ye’d better get used to it. Of course, ye can always stay in London.”

She smirked. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”