Meriel’s side, Hamish reached up, clasped her small waist in his hands, and helped her down. “I’m thinking we should rest here and let the horses graze for a little bit.”
“How long?” Meriel asked, clearly puzzled as to why they would stop when they were so close to their destination.
“Umm, for just about the length of time it will take for the craziness to die down from Laurel and Conor’s return. Both will be pummeled with hugs from their children, endless questions from their staff, and those who feel they have important news that needs to be immediately imparted. Trust me. You want to enjoy this tranquility before entering that mess.”
Meriel inhaled, and with a slight smile gave a small shake of her head. “Last time I was at this very spot, the day was far from peaceful.”
Hamish pulled out a piece of dried meat and offered her a piece. She shook her head no. Chewing on the long, thin strip, he mumbled, “I remember.”
Meriel stared at him incredulously. “Really? I find that hard to believe.”
“Well, it is not too often that I get the opportunity to help save a beautiful woman,” he answered. It was a true statement, but what he really remembered was Crevan’s eyes boring into him when he had passed through the gates carrying Meriel’s wounded sister, Raelynd. The man’s jealousy had been practically tangible. After that, Hamish had purposely avoided both Raelynd and her sister. He had even dodged them at the Schelldens’ while visiting Craig and his brother. He had been successful right up until the end. Hamish once again reminded himself of the reluctant promise he had made to Craig to look after Meriel in his absence.
Hamish glanced to his left and for a long moment studied the woman Craig held in such high regard. After traveling for two days, dirt clung to her skin; several loose, wispy strands escaped from her braided hair; and the cuffs and hem of her light blue bliaut were now brown with caked mud. And still, she could be considered quite beautiful. Meriel was not quite as tall as Lady McTiernay, but then neither was she petite. Her body was subtly provocative, with curves promising of hidden riches that did not match her personality, which was too sweet and compliant for his tastes. Still, her company had been far more tolerable than he had expected.
“Beautiful? You think Raelynd beautiful?”
Hamish nodded. “You too. It is difficult to tell the two of you apart until one of you starts to speak. Then there is no doubt.” Realizing that he had spoken his thoughts aloud, he immediately stiffened and waited for her rebuke.
Meriel’s eyelashes fluttered and she blinked several times. Then before she could help herself, she burst out in laughter. Such brutal honesty coming from a man who liked to beguile and flatter women with nonsense had been unexpected. Hamish was always so careful around her—about what he said and what he did—trying never to offend. It had made her just as cautious. “So I am beautiful too, am I? How about the first time you saw me?” she questioned, wondering if he recalled her first night at McTiernay Castle.
Hamish absolutely remembered. Very clearly, and by the twinkle in her eye, so did Meriel. He grinned and then struck a serious expression. “That night I think I would have used the term ‘breathtaking.’ Aye, that’s it. You were definitely breathtaking.”
Meriel reached up and tugged on Hamish’s loose auburn locks. “You could be just as breathtaking if you let little Brenna style your hair.” Her sense of humor took over and she could not stop herself from asking, “It just so happens that I remember you too. Especially the last night we were here right after my sister’s wedding. You were quite the sensation among my sex. Tell me, was there a woman to whom you did not make an overture?”
Hamish cocked a brow but refused to deny the accusation. “One. It was you, I believe.”
Ignoring the comment, Meriel continued.
“How long?” Meriel asked, clearly puzzled as to why they would stop when they were so close to their destination.
“Umm, for just about the length of time it will take for the craziness to die down from Laurel and Conor’s return. Both will be pummeled with hugs from their children, endless questions from their staff, and those who feel they have important news that needs to be immediately imparted. Trust me. You want to enjoy this tranquility before entering that mess.”
Meriel inhaled, and with a slight smile gave a small shake of her head. “Last time I was at this very spot, the day was far from peaceful.”
Hamish pulled out a piece of dried meat and offered her a piece. She shook her head no. Chewing on the long, thin strip, he mumbled, “I remember.”
Meriel stared at him incredulously. “Really? I find that hard to believe.”
“Well, it is not too often that I get the opportunity to help save a beautiful woman,” he answered. It was a true statement, but what he really remembered was Crevan’s eyes boring into him when he had passed through the gates carrying Meriel’s wounded sister, Raelynd. The man’s jealousy had been practically tangible. After that, Hamish had purposely avoided both Raelynd and her sister. He had even dodged them at the Schelldens’ while visiting Craig and his brother. He had been successful right up until the end. Hamish once again reminded himself of the reluctant promise he had made to Craig to look after Meriel in his absence.
Hamish glanced to his left and for a long moment studied the woman Craig held in such high regard. After traveling for two days, dirt clung to her skin; several loose, wispy strands escaped from her braided hair; and the cuffs and hem of her light blue bliaut were now brown with caked mud. And still, she could be considered quite beautiful. Meriel was not quite as tall as Lady McTiernay, but then neither was she petite. Her body was subtly provocative, with curves promising of hidden riches that did not match her personality, which was too sweet and compliant for his tastes. Still, her company had been far more tolerable than he had expected.
“Beautiful? You think Raelynd beautiful?”
Hamish nodded. “You too. It is difficult to tell the two of you apart until one of you starts to speak. Then there is no doubt.” Realizing that he had spoken his thoughts aloud, he immediately stiffened and waited for her rebuke.
Meriel’s eyelashes fluttered and she blinked several times. Then before she could help herself, she burst out in laughter. Such brutal honesty coming from a man who liked to beguile and flatter women with nonsense had been unexpected. Hamish was always so careful around her—about what he said and what he did—trying never to offend. It had made her just as cautious. “So I am beautiful too, am I? How about the first time you saw me?” she questioned, wondering if he recalled her first night at McTiernay Castle.
Hamish absolutely remembered. Very clearly, and by the twinkle in her eye, so did Meriel. He grinned and then struck a serious expression. “That night I think I would have used the term ‘breathtaking.’ Aye, that’s it. You were definitely breathtaking.”
Meriel reached up and tugged on Hamish’s loose auburn locks. “You could be just as breathtaking if you let little Brenna style your hair.” Her sense of humor took over and she could not stop herself from asking, “It just so happens that I remember you too. Especially the last night we were here right after my sister’s wedding. You were quite the sensation among my sex. Tell me, was there a woman to whom you did not make an overture?”
Hamish cocked a brow but refused to deny the accusation. “One. It was you, I believe.”
Ignoring the comment, Meriel continued.
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