Chapter 7

"Och! What time is this? Sorcha, I told ye nae to bother me so early."

The muffled voice of his future beloved growled through the heavy oak door. Steeling himself for a reaction, William knocked again, this time fully prepared.

She was no less happy the second time.

"Och, didnae ye hear me? Och, Sorcha, I said?—"

"I"m nae Sorcha!"

Amused, William settled back behind the door and waited.

"William?" she said, sounding slightly out of sorts.

"Which other gentlemen callers were ye expecting?" William teased, the morning air kissing his cheek. It was sunny, and the day was crisp and light. All things told, it was a miracle for the Highlands, especially at this time of the year.

However, Nora, it seemed, did not share his enthusiasm.

"Well, nay one," said Nora, sounding vexed.

Suddenly, William wondered if this was the best idea. Uncertainly, he wavered on the threshold.

"Mistress," said William, using his best manners, "I am sorry to have disturbed ye. I should leave ye to get some beauty sleep. Please forgive my intrusion."

"Och, dinnae fash, I am awake noo," said Nora, not sounding particularly pleased.

Uncertainly, William waited, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

"Hark," he said, thinking. Perhaps this had been a mistake. Maybe he should have listened to Alasdair, as he had warned him about waking up a lady too early. "I shall be downstairs in the hall. When ye are ready, please come."

He was about to walk away when the door was unbolted. Swiftly, it opened.

There was Nora.

"I am ready noo," said Nora, as William tried to put his eyes back into his head. Despite his attempts, he could not stop looking at her over, from top to toe.

She was provocatively wrapped in a mantle—or possibly the bedclothes. Either way, a long sheeting was draped over her body, making it impossible for William to see where the shape of her started and ended. But, oh, he could guess!

But William was confused. "Ye are ready? For what, madam?"

He couldn"t help it. As soon as the words had left his lips, it was too late. Nora"s eyes widened as a smirk played around her lips. Glancing about the corridor, William looked anxiously.

Anyone could come. Neither of them should be doing this. Perhaps sensing this, Nora"s eyes darted about; then, she ushered him in, still in the bed clothing or whatever it was.

It was wrong. He ought not to be here like this. But he was now, and that was that. Hurriedly checking that no one had seen them, William hastened into the chamber and quickly bolted the door.

There, in front of him, was Nora, a strange giggle starting in her throat. She was so near. Close enough for him to touch. And something about the silken drape perched over her shoulder begged him so much to do so. He wanted to just remove it, like a canopy, and start touching.

William practically slapped his own hand away and turned his head.

"Mistress, I should let ye dress," he said, frantically looking away. "I shouldnae have come."

To his surprise, Nora shook her head. "Och, "tis nothing. Give me a wee moment," she said, disappearing into the four-poster bed.

Poor William"s eyes were almost burning. He must not look. He must not... What the heck was she doing there?

Swiftly, Nora drew the curtaining, sealing herself inside the four-poster bed and setting William"s pulse rate sky-high. Somehow, he had to pretend not to be tormented.

"I will be as quick as I can," Nora assured, from behind her tenting.

William just nodded. He barely dared to look up. Inside, a voice in his head was yelling for him to get as far away and as fast away as he could. But William remained ramrod, seated where he was.

"Take yer time," he heard his voice say, even a little flippantly. It betrayed the nerves that he felt.

Taking a dram from a nearby jug, William attempted to wash away his nerves. It was not like him to have qualms of any sort. As the hot scotch washed down his gullet, William enjoyed its mellow hit.

"It"s a wee bit early," said Nora unexpectedly.

William looked up. She was standing right before him. At some point, she must have opened the curtains, but William had not noticed. Berating himself, William stumbled to his feet. Close up, Nora was even more beguiling than before. And more beautiful.

Coming closer, Nora pressed her head toward him, her ringleted hair hanging down. Her curls spiraled like silk, begging for his touch. They weren"t all that tempted him. The sheen of her skin drew him in. Instinctively, he moved to touch it. But then stopped.

She was too sweet, too perfect. And far too close to him. She watched him drink, an amused glint in her eye. Flustered, William stopped and looked over.

"I-I am sorry. Och, do ye want a dram?" asked William, proffering toward her the whiskey jug.

But Nora shook her head. "I said it"s a wee bit early," she said, her green eyes dancing. Moments ago, she had been asleep, but that was washed away, and now, a wide smile lit up her quizzical face.

"I ken," said William, not realizing. He took another swig. "I didnae mean to wake ye from yer sleep."

"I mean for the whiskey," said Nora, watching him coyly as he drank.

Self-consciously, William put the goblet down. "Ach," he said, a burn reddening his cheeks. It was not the whiskey.

Smiling, Nora moved a little closer. "Is this what passes for breakfast in yer part o" the world?"

She smiled, enchanting him. William felt a buzz of energy scoot through him. She was soft and perfect. Every inch of her called out to be stroked. And the way her hair dangled down in front of him was almost too much to resist.

This morning she was more casually dressed, in a white-and-blue arisaid, with her hair loosed around her shoulders. The thick paste that had been on her face the previous night was gone, and she was aglow and natural.

Maybe a bit too natural. William could not help it. His hands strayed near. Now he was about an inch from her, and if he weren"t careful, they would be touching. A barbed ripple ran all through him. The very thought of touching Nora filled him with heat.

"Well then," said Nora, her green eyes shining. "I presume ye dinnae just get a lass from her bed for no reason."

Nora fixed him with her sharpest gaze as the scent of flowers filled the air. Outside, spring was budding, and William wished for nothing more than to see it with her by his side.

"I..." began William.

He had an overwhelming desire to say, I did. Standing there, in the first light of day, he felt suddenly and completely glad of his decision to wake Nora up. But of course, he didn"t say any such thing. Instead, he just stood there, a smile growing under his nose.

"I wanted to show ye the clan," he said, finally, when he could not stare into her eyes anymore.

The smell of daffodils burst through from somewhere, melting with the golden light. William was deliriously happy. It was so early, and it was just her and him. Not even the servants, usually banging around at all times, were present to spoil it.

Watching him, Nora opened her eyes.

"What, all o" it?" she said, her green eyes brimming with fun. William was about to say something when Nora grabbed her mantle. "Och, alright!"

And with no further ado, the pair of them were walking down the hall toward the stables. But as William walked with Nora at his side, he sensed an alteration. Her high spirits and sense of fun, which had just been rising, flattened off. And by the time they approached the stables, she was suddenly tense.

"Are ye alright, hen?" William was forced to ask, as Nora glanced around, looking suspicious, into the morning skies.

Suddenly, William was put on the back foot. A moment ago, everything had been so smooth, yet now, it seemed Nora was reticent about being alone with him.

"Aye, I am braw," said Nora coldly. She was by now mounted on her horse, but when William looked at her, she seemed anything but alright. A strange malaise seemed to have grabbed her, making her turn and jump at the slightest thing.

She doesnae want to be alone with me, William concluded sadly. He watched as Nora mounted her horse, an elegant gray mare, and sat atop of it, awaiting his instruction. Watching her, William pulled a frown. He would never work women out. Why on earth had she gone from being happy and pleased to sullen and tense instantly?

As he tried to work out what had gone wrong, William mounted his horse. By now the light was piercing and strong. Sunlight scratched his eyes, flooding in through the gaps in the stables. And as they silently rode out, it grew stronger until it was almost completely impossible to see.

On their way out of the stables, Nora faltered.

"Ye"re braw," said William reassuringly. He was close enough to touch and extended his hand a little to the curves of her back.

Instantly, Nora clammed up.

The tenseness of her body left him in no doubt as to her feelings, and suddenly, William was in doubt. He was about to say something when a voice boomed through the bright light.

"Och! Ye"re up an" aboot vera early this morning!"

William tensed, but then smiled at the same time. He turned to hear the source of the voice. Beside him was the laird, Nora"s father. But through the strong light, he could barely see him. All the same, his amusement was present in his voice.

Before he could answer, Nora turned toward him. "I could say the same for ye, Father. In fact, I am rather surprised. After last night… Ye were so blootered I am surprised ye havenae fallen off yer horse."

Nora"s reaction surprised him. Suddenly, she seemed to warm up, although there was still a trace of hesitation in her words.

Emerging from the stables, William looked around. Nora was watching her father expectantly, as if waiting for his permission. William frowned. Perhaps this was not so strange. After all, he was her father. But there was something a little off about their interaction. Through the early morning haze, he could not put his finger on it. Maybe it was the strange little looks they kept sharing. William was sure he was not imagining them.

For a moment, Laird Douglas"s brow clouded. Then it cleared. He grinned, but it was a fake smile. Even William could see that. In fact, even his horse could.

William"s large destrier suddenly whinnied loudly and unexpectedly. It knocked Nora off-kilter, spooking her horse. For a moment, she was tense and pale. As William took the time to resettle her, he saw Douglas watch her with cold pallor.

"Och, "tis naught," said the laird dismissively. "Yer wee mare is a rag-bag o" nerves. Ye may be able to tell that my lass isnae a morning bird." The laird winked as William watched Nora uncertainly.

What is going on between those two?William wondered, as Nora got her mare back into control. Now, the three of them trotted off awkwardly, filing out of the stables and toward the courtyard.

Silently, they proceeded, clopping through the training grounds to the main gates and out from the sentry post. Awkwardly, William glanced, checking to see if the laird was still behind them. He was. Briefly, his eyes flashed at Nora, who looked away. It was impossible to tell what she was thinking, and even less so her father.

Slowly, they trotted on. It took what felt like forever, and by now the three of them were some miles away from the Duncan castle"s gates. But with every step, William"s irritation grew. He had reckoned on being alone with Nora, not in the presence of an escort—not least her father.

For a while, he toyed with coming straight out with it and asking how long he was planning on staying out. William"s head was churning. He had only thought the laird was accompanying Nora down here, not staying for the duration and definitely not acting as his daughter"s shadow.

By now, they were at the family hunting lodge on the edge of the estate. It was a secluded little place where William had pictured spending some time alone with Nora. Bringing his horse to a stop, he dismounted and smiled pointedly.

Helping Nora get down, he took her hand and showed her the vista. From his horse, the laird looked around.

"I can show ye the lodge," said William politely, but his eyes said plenty more.

The laird got it. Finally.

"Ach nay," said the laird, backing off. He tugged at his stallion"s reins, beginning to turn the horse around. Then, he fixed William with a quizzical glance. "I ken where I am nae needed," he said, his eyes flitting to Nora.

William smiled, looking away, but from the corner of his eye, he noticed the laird leaning into Nora and whispering something discreetly. Turning his head to look, Laird Douglas pulled away, wearing a grin.

Clearly, he had not been meant to overhear whatever it was between the two of them.

For her part, Nora did not respond, leaving William wondering.

Then, the laird smiled again. "Forsooth, I shall leave ye love birds to it." Then he turned to William again. "So, dinnae do anything that I wouldnae, lad. Dinnae fash, that leaves ye lots o" room."

To his intense horror, Laird Douglas winked, making Nora shudder and William"s cheeks color. As they watched him go, William"s head was in a total lather.

Unsurely, his eyes darted to hers. What on earth had her father said to her? She appeared to be flinching. His heart sinking, he wondered if she even liked him at all. Confused, he smiled at Nora. He really could not fathom her at all. Last night, she seemed so keen. What happened this morning?

The wind rippled in the sky above, sending the svelte white and gray clouds scudding. With the breath of early spring air, William sighed, leading Nora to look around.

""Tis bonnie, for sure," she said, glancing at the glen. Then she turned back to the hunting lodge, eyeing it curiously. "Is anyone at home?" she asked shyly.

William, seeing her interest, immediately came to her side.

"Nay," he said, with a smile. "At least, I hope not!"

Grabbing her hand, he led her inside as the birdsong deadened from outside. Once inside, William adjusted his eyes to the light. It was dark, so he guided Nora carefully, helping her across the threshold and through the tiny house. The narrow windows, just slits in the wall, were shuttered up, and the scant light there was just streaked across the dark floorboards in small bursts.

William took her hand and was relieved that she did not immediately pull it away.

"Come," he said, leading her across the darkened room toward a small table with some stools.

Carefully, he set her down before making to open the windows. Light crept hazily into the dark room. Nora glanced about, her eyes taking in the grayish shades of the cottage.

"The Duncan hunting lodge," explained William, taking a tinderbox that was placed by the fire and lighting a spark. It took some time before he was successful, and as he worked, Nora watched. ""Tis for the use o" the family." William hesitated, then smiled. "An" their guests."

In the dark, he felt her body heat on him. It felt awkward and compelling at the same time. Suddenly, he began to wonder if going there was such a good idea.

Panicking, William set himself his brightest grin and faced Nora.

"Ye have some braw hunting lands," said Nora assuredly. Her perfect eyes peeked over the window and looked out. "I can see noo why the Duncan clan is so prized for the hunt."

Excited, Nora smiled, then grasped William"s arm. Startled, William started, wondering what was up, then Nora pointed.

"The hart," she said, her voice quivering. ""Tis so near!"

William followed her finger; just outside the hut was a white hart staring right at them. Nora smiled excitedly as William gave a low whistle.

"Aye," said William, whispering.

The pair of them sat awhile, watching. William pulled Nora to the window ledge as they gazed. Eventually, the hart ambled off, but not before another flock of deer hurtled across the glen side.

When they had dispersed, Nora turned to William excitedly. "Och, I havenae seen a hart like that so close."

She sounded so sincere that William"s heart had a flutter. Not a few moments before, she had been tense, guarded, but now she was like a child once more.

"I"m glad ye liked it," said William, with the beginnings of a grin. It was cramped in the cottage, and suddenly, he had the desire to put his arm around her. For some reason, he thought it would be well received, but despite this, he did not quite pluck up the courage to do so.

Instead, he moved a little closer and leaned into her ear.

"Why dinnae I show ye the rest o" the clan?" he said gently, helping her up.

Beaming, Nora pressed her face to his. The scent of the woman overwhelmed him. This was too much. If he weren"t careful, he would end up kissing her.

The thought of kissing Nora burned inside him. In his haste to be gone, William almost pulled away, but instead gently led her back outside again and to their horses.

Side by side, their respective horses seemed to be getting on alright, with William"s destrier leaning to nuzzle Nora"s silvery mare. Watching them groom one another, William made eyes at Nora.

"Ready?" he said, indicating the horse. Nora"s eyes looked quizzical. William hesitated. "For the mount?"

Grinning, Nora leaped back atop of the mare, whinnying with slight surprise to find herself being saddled so soon.

After a while, they trotted along, searching for the source of deer, passing along the ravine to the glen. On the way, they took in several flocks of sheep dotted along the hills. For a while, they rode, with Nora taking everything in, then finally, in the middle of the ravine, with nothing else around, Nora looked quizzical.

"Where are they? Yer shepherds?" she asked, stretching her arms about. She indicated the horizon, which was empty.

William just grinned. "Dinnae fash. They have their hooses just dotted about the horizon," said William, increasing his speed. Together, they trotted slowly, negotiating the small brook in the center of the glen.

"Ye have many things ye can teach us," said Nora diplomatically, as she gazed around. Everywhere she looked, there was a sheep. It was as if she were in a daze.

William laughed. "Och aye, there"s a lot o" things we can teach ye," he teased, then, at the thought of what he had said, he reddened.

But instead of laughing the comment away, Nora turned to him with a serious expression on her face. The heartbreaking look in her eyes made William a little uncertain.

"I would like that," she said, as William felt his heartbeat increase. "I would like that a lot!"