Highland Jewel (Highland Brides) by Lois Greiman

away, hiding his smile as he set his fingers to the buttons of the ruffled shirt. It was open in a moment, allowing him to feel the light breeze against his chest. It caressed his flesh like gentle fingertips, and he pulled the edges of his garment down his arms.
    'Twas indeed a bonny spot. A dove called from the woods. The warm air kissed his bare chest, and the wee nun watched.
    He could feel her gaze on his back as he drew the sleeves from his arms and tossed the shirt atop the doublet near his feet.
    Perhaps, Leith mused, she had been right and he truly was the spawn of the devil. He squatted, flexing the stiffness from his back. But she was surely no saint herself, for there was nothing keeping her there, forcing her to watch him.
    Scooping water into his hands, Leith grinned. He was not charming like his brothers, nor fair, he knew. But he was a man, broader than most, taller than all in his clan, battle-scarred, and tightly muscled. Splashing water over his arms and chest, he did not deny or belittle his allure for women. Always he had fascinated them, but rarely had he had the time to entertain their interest, for he was laird, with much to occupy his time.
    Now, however, circumstances had changed. Now he must pique the interest of a woman, and not for his own pleasure, but for the well-being of his tribe. 'Twas an onerous task, he thought, remembering the moon-gilded fairy form by the lo-chan. But the job needed doing.
    Still in a squatted position, Leith turned slightly. The muscles of his chest and abdomen were bunched above the laces of his trunk hose, which gaped casually away from his hard waist while gripping his lower regions in an intimate fashion.
    "Ye dunna wish to bathe, wee nun?" he murmured. They were but a few paces apart. Water beaded on his chest and belly, slipping lower to be absorbed by his taut English garb." Tis enough water for two."
    "Hold. Fast." Her tone was stilted, her words nonsensical. "And pray," she finished, though her lips failed to close completely.
    Leith watched her. "Shall I take that to mean ye do not wish to share me bath?"
    "God save me."
    " I am certain He will, wee lass," he said with a chuckle, and straightened, letting every hard muscle flex and shift as he stood. "For He has sent me to do the job." With that he bent, retrieved his discarded garments, and strode languidly back toward camp.
     
    "We will reach the border tomorrow." Leith stood no nearer the wee nun than need be. A full night and day had passed since their time near the stream, giving the girl plenty of time to ponder her fate. Surely it was enough time for her to realize her mistake, to admit she was not meant to be a nun. But still she had not eaten or spoken. Her face was drawn, her eyes as bright as rare jewels and larger than ever in her gaunt face.
    Sweet Jesu, she was as stubborn as any Scotsman—and more beautiful than any Scotswoman. The thought caused anger to swell within him. "Ye need to eat," he said in rumbling disapproval.
    She stood as straight as an unbowed oak, her chin slightly lifted, her face a study of serene obstinance. " I will not."
    He felt the muscle jump in his jaw. Perhaps washing in front of her had been a poor idea, for while it had ignited his own sexual imaginings, it seemed to have done little to further her interest in him. "Ye will," he countered. "We will be riding faster come morn. The border country is dangerous and ye will need yer strength."
    "The Lord is my strength," Rose answered.
    "Yer own damned stubbornness is yer strength," Leith growled in return. "And ye will eat."
    "I will not!" She had each of her hands placed inside the sleeve of the other arm and gazed up at him with violet fire sparkling in her eyes.
    Strangling her was not out of the question, Leith reasoned. She was intentionally baiting him. But to murder a woman of the holy order... It would probably be frowned upon in heaven, though God would certainly agree there was provocation. He unclenched his