The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands Page B

hungry,” he said with amusement as he turned the beast to face her. Tilting his head, he asked, “Can ye mount on yer own, or do I need to help ye?”
    Saidh scowled at the arrogant man and slid her sword back into its sheath with a quick snap, then walked to her horse and hauled herself onto the saddle.
    “I can see yer braies, me lady,” the MacDonnell taunted as she settled astride her mare, her skirts rising to reveal her braies from the knees down.
    “And I can see yer tarse,” Saidh responded sweetly, and urged her mare out of the clearing as the man glanced down at himself with alarm. She’d been lying of course, his plaid had covered him properly, but his expression when he’d thought his penis was hanging out had been priceless.
    A gusty laugh reached her through the trees as he realized her joke. It was followed by the drum of hooves as he set his stallion charging after her. Saidh promptly urged her mare to a gallop. She was determined to get back to the castle before him, but of course, that was impossible. She had a fine mare, but the MacDonnell’s beast was absolutely huge. Its legs outstripped her mare’s by almost double. She suspected her horse would look like a pony next to his stallion. Most horses would, she thought grimly as she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and realized he had not only caught up, but was about to pass her.
    Saidh almost tried to gain more speed out of her mare to prevent that, but then eased up on the reins instead. She was not going to win this race anyway and would never abuse an animal in an effort to do so. Instead, she slowed down to a cant and let him charge past. Still, she was surprised when he slowed his own beast and fell back beside her.
    “Ye ride well.” He complimented her.
    “I do,” she agreed. “I fight well too. Ye’ll be sorry fer yer challenge after we break our fast. I shall trounce ye.”
    “I shall look forward to yer trying,” he said with a grin that made him ridiculously attractive.
    Saidh scowled at the man, and then turned her face forward, determined to ignore him.
    “Do ye like to dance?” he asked suddenly.
    “Nay,” she said succinctly, but wondered why he’d ask such a fool question.
    “Do ye sing like a canary?”
    “A canary with a broken neck,” she responded.
    “Can ye sew a stitch?”
    “I sewed me brother up once, but then I was the one who cut him while we were practicing so it seemed only fair,” she informed him with a wolfish smile. The truth was she could sew. She didn’t even mind doing it. Sewing was a soothing activity, a good way to pass the time on a cold winter evening when ye were stuck inside with naught to do.
    “Can ye . . .”
    “Me laird,” Saidh interrupted dryly.
    “Aye?”
    “I win,” she announced and urged her mare to a gallop to charge over the drawbridge and through the gate into the bailey first. She heard another burst of laughter from behind her as she steered her mare toward the stables, and found herself smiling at the sound. But then was distracted when the stable master approached her as she reached the stables.
    The man took the reins and grinned widely at Saidh as she slid from her mount. “Ye go on in and break yer fast, me lady. I’ll take care o’ yer beast.”
    Saidh hesitated, but when she glanced around to see Laird MacDonnell riding into the bailey at a canter, she nodded, murmured her thanks and started across the bailey at a quick clip, eager to get inside and seated before he could. She’d only taken half a dozen steps, however, when she was suddenly caught about the waist and hauled up into the air. Saidh squawked in surprise, and glanced around with amazement at the MacDonnell. She hadn’t even been aware that he’d changed direction and come after her.
    “Allow me to escort the winner to the castle door,” he said smoothly against her ear as he settled her in his lap.
    Saidh wanted to roar at him to put her down, but didn’t want to draw