Chapter 8

Flirt, he had said. As Nora looked into William"s eyes, her father"s advice replayed loudly. Be comely, he had added, as he left her and William together. Stick yer tongue out from between yer mouth an" reel him in!

Those were not her father"s words. That would be curious. But the actual advice came from Aline, one of the ladies charged with imparting her wisdom in the art of seduction. So tongue and teeth had been fully deployed, and she had done it. By God, she had done it well.

Too well.

So well, she had forgotten it was meant to be an act. That was why, by the time they were face-to-face outside the hunting lodge, with his hand on her back, it was all quite real.

I would like that a lot,she had said.

Problem was, it was true. And any fool could see it. Not just William.

So now, he had her by the hand as they mounted their horses. Outside the little hunting lodge, they were smiling.

Well, this is awkward,she thought, as a smile as big as the sun shone out from under her. How do I make this stop?

The answer was, she couldn"t. She just had to play it for all she was worth. So that was what she was doing when she allowed him to hold her hand.

"Come," said William, guiding her through the woodland that backed onto the hill lodge. He seemed quite insistent she should not look back, riding behind her to block her view.

The woods she had not seen before, and Nora took a childlike pleasure in counting the budding oaks about to erupt in a sea of green for the upcoming spring. Trotting through the glade, Nora felt a swathe of sadness mixed in with a strange twinge. It was so sweet, with the first bluebells of the season poking their heads. Rushing from her horse, Nora dismounted to pick them.

Watching from his horse, William stared in amusement.

"Bonnie," he said, as she moved to show him the flowers in her hand. He stared at her, entranced.

Nora loitered, uncertain what to do next.

There was a moment where he came down to stand beside her, then took her hand and led her on her way. Now they had separated from their horses and were winding their way through the impenetrable woods.

"Are ye sure we can?" asked Nora, her voice faltering, as he took her hand. There had not been many words between them, and she was unsure. But the light shining in his eyes told her that he wanted the same thing as her.

"I"m sure," he said, his pink complexion glowing. "We can make oor way through here awhile an" show ye the cottages." His eyes slid to hers. "That is, if ye do want to?"

William"s gaze interrupted her; Nora had drifted off into a dream of touching his hair. From a distance, it was wooly, but closer, it was smooth. Her hands ached to touch it, and she was much startled to find his deep blue eyes fully on her.

"Ahem," coughed William, meeting her gaze. Nora started. "So, do ye want to?" he asked, smiling.

Panicked, Nora looked around. Do ye want to? What did he mean? She felt her heart stutter and pound.

"The cottages?" explained William helpfully.

Nora blushed. He could read her mind! "Och, aye, the cottages," she said, turning. "Let"s go there."

Inside, she felt her cheeks flame. If ever she had made it certain what she was thinking, it was then. Giving away too much was not part of the plan. She had to get a grip.

But that was rather hard when she was following him, literally hand in hand.

By now, the ground was rather thick. The woodland grew dense, and Nora began to worry about her horse, left untethered next to William"s destrier in the middle of the forest.

Worried, she pulled her brow into a frown. "The horses, will they be?—"

"They"ll be braw." William clasped his hand around her, filling her with his warmth. Despite the breeze, he was unexpectedly heated, his sultry touch invigorating her.

"I-I hope so," she said, breaking off unexpectedly from his touch. A little more and she would melt. Pulling away, she continued on through the thicket, smiling and following him.

Just not touching. That was too much.

But it was deep. The section of woodland was no easy walking, and soon, it was plain to see why he had left the horses there. Glancing unsurely, she looked to check for certain that this really was a place they should be heading to.

William"s grin was all the answer she needed, and she was amazed at how little they talked as they went. It was like he knew her already.

So, side by side, they picked their way through the brushland. As they ventured, the silence became deep. Even the birdsong deadened. She did not know why, in fact, it was rather unsettling. But just the feeling of being so far away, in the heart of the woodland, made her feel weak.

Watching him, Nora wondered. He looked so purposed, breaking down the branches in their path and leading them on. What is here? she wondered. If a path needed beating through this thick land, how did the occupant ever get out?

Nora"s mind was reeling by the time they approached what she imagined was the center of the wood.

By now, the scrub really was thick, to the point that William was using his sword to cut it back. Grass, bramble, sprays, tree roots, it all so dense to the point of no passage. But William was not about to let that stop him.

"Are ye braw?" he asked, a quick aside to her. It was probably just as well that he asked. The copse really was quite tough going, and Nora was spending most of her time pulling her sagging arisaid out of the brush.

"Aye," she said, uncomplaining, although underneath even she was wondering about the damage to her clothing. Not the type to worry unduly, she could not help thinking what her father would say when she returned, half ragged.

Sensing her worry, William squeezed her hand. When did he start holding it?

"Dinnae fash," he said, the pink in his lips contrasting deliciously with his dark red locks. "I will take the blame, an" I will buy ye some new cloth."

Nora squirmed as his eyes went from her robe to what lay beneath it, and neither of them could pretend it otherwise. Worse still, they were there, in the middle of nowhere, just the two of them together.

"Thank ye," she said a little primly. There was a pause. Really, she should have protested, lied, and pretended that actually, her clothing was not getting horridly mauled.

But she didn"t. She leveled with him and told him the truth. That definitely is not supposed to be happening. Nora looked down immediately and blushed. What else might she start telling the truth about? Her feelings? What she was sent to do?

Ducking her head out of sight for fear of sparking eye contact, Nora pushed on. Of course, she did not know where they were going, but that did not stop her.

For a moment, William lingered behind, watching. Then, he continued on. His footsteps came quickly behind her as he clutched at bracken straws and pulled down branches. But he was behind her. Somehow, alone, she had found a path.

Nora suddenly stopped. There was a pathway, or at least a track, that they were following. She could see it clearly now. Surprised, she turned around.

In the distance was a tiny structure, so ramshackle it was barely visible through the thick grass.

"There?" she said, pointing.

William laughed, nodding. "Aye," he said.

Finally, they walked up toward it. Here, there was a well-trodden path, albeit of broken-down branches and flattened grass. As they approached, the birds that had been silenced began to sing again. Nora looked around. Maybe she was confused, but she thought that they had been here before, although she had not seen the cottage.

Smiling, William led her on, this time guiding her through the flattened pathway to the front door.

"After ye," he said politely, creaking the door open. It was a wonder it did not drop off. It was old—ancient—and in a pitiful state of repair. Looking about, Nora instantly felt worried about whoever lived there, even if it were only sheep.

Gingerly, Nora followed through the shaky door. Inside was no better; an immediate sense of cloying dank hit her. Then, she held her nose.

"Och, what a reekie!" The smell of damp infestation and animal excrement overcame her. "Who lives here?" she asked, as she struggled to see properly. Then, she almost fell flat over. A loud screeching sound nearly stopped her heart.

Falling forward, she grabbed the wet and slime-filled wall, struggling to get a grip. Just as she thought she was going to hit hard, William stopped her.

"Easy there," he said in his sultry tone. His steady arm held her.

Taking a breath, Nora came to a stop. But her heart had not quite finished. Erupting from the center of her chest, she felt a jolt. The screeching sound had turned to a yowling and almost arrested her heart stone dead.

What was that sound? Gasping, she spluttered at William, who, to his credit, did not laugh.

At least too much.

"Och," he said gently. "Will ye look at this wee beastie?"

Eyes adjusting to the half-light, he pushed forward a thing. A furry thing. It hummed with fear as it was proffered toward her.

Eventually, Nora"s eyes rallied enough to make out it was a cat.

"Och," she said, feeling instantly silly.

In William"s arms, the cat fussed and spat. It clearly wanted to be off, but taking it, she managed to calm the creature. Glancing at it fully, she saw its eyes, flashing and surly. But then, suddenly, it made peace, licking her slowly and nuzzling her face.

Before she knew it, the cat was her best friend, purring and encircling her fully, waving its tail in the air. Watching her, Will looked at her keenly.

"Are ye alright?" he asked, slowly waiting for her to come around. She loved the look of him there, his eyes peeking around, just checking her out. Suddenly, a flash of a torrid scene came to her. She and William, right there, against the darkened walls, knowing each other.

Her heart came to a cluttering start. As if she were not frazzled enough without thoughts like that popping up. Breathlessly, she nodded.

"Come on," he said, indicating that they leave. Nora had never been happier to leave a place. She was just about to ask who lived there when a voice brought her up sharp.

"Laird William!"

Nora turned around. It was a man"s voice. He was standing right on the threshold of the house, his thickset frame silhouetted against the sun. It was so dark inside that it was impossible to see him with his back turned.

Nora jolted, her hand squeezing his. But William did not falter.

"Crivvens," he said, a jovial smile on him. ""Tis Seoras! What are ye doing here? Dinnae ye like yer new cottage?"

While Nora got her breath back, William followed Seoras out of the cottage and into the brushland. Slowly, she revisited her steps back out of the cottage and over to where the two men stood.

Squinting into the sunlight, Nora saw the man. He was a heavyset man of middle age with hair like a sheep fogging his head. His long, gray mane obscured his words, but she gradually pieced them together.

He beamed. "Och, nay, "tis braw!"

She could not see much besides his hair and bright red cheeks, but there was a smile nestling beneath them. Jubilantly, he brought his face to hers.

"Ye wannae hold on to this one, miss. He"s a gud ane!"

Nora just blushed, casting her head down as Seoras continued to froth.

"He only built a new cottage, an" for my family, an" gave us some clothes an" scran." He grinned.

Embarrassed, William smiled softly, looking around.

"Och," said Nora politely. "Where?"

Seoras pointed left. Following his finger, Nora blinked. Next to the old cottage was a much newer one. Now that she had seen it, Nora wondered how the heck she had not noticed it before. Then, to her surprise, was another. And another. In fact, there was a whole line of new cottages right there, practically a small village of little crofts. And constructed properly, as well, in stone, not wattle.

Impressed, Nora looked at William. "Jings," she murmured, as Seoras continued. Now she looked. It was clear he was a shepherd; at the side, his crook, and on his feet, new-looking ghillies. For his station, he was well-dressed, sporting a clean brat and plaid.

"How could I nae have seen it?" Nora wondered out loud.

William just grinned. "Och, "tis easy to miss seventeen newly constructed houses," he joked. But, in fact, it actually was. Hidden deep in the woods, it was the last thing anyone would be expecting.

With newfound shock, Nora looked at William. "Ye built this?" she asked, her eyes wide and disbelieving.

William just grinned. "Well, not all by myself." He winked. "I had a wee bit o" help, but aye, I paid the coin for it."

Nora marveled as William walked them around, still accompanied by Seoras. Coming up close, the cottages were more impressive than she had first thought.

Turning to William, she smiled. "These are braw wee crofts indeed," she said, genuinely taken aback. "I would be happy to live here myself!"

Seoras nodded beside her. "They are braw, an" the villagers are soon to be moving in."

Taking her arm, William walked her around. Each cottage had a small plot, just the size for growing vegetables. Looking around one of them, William explained.

"There isnae any crops at the moment, but the land is fertile. It will be better than what they had afore," he said.

Nora gazed at the new cottages, impressed. Already, one or two were occupied, with smoke blowing out from the thatched roofs. Then, she noticed something else. A little further down from the crofts was something familiar. Giving a start, she was sure she recognized that patch of woodland from before.

Smiling at her face, William accompanied her. Bidding good day to Seoras, she followed him down along a well-trodden route she was sure she remembered.

"William?" she asked, glancing back at the crofts. A little of the black smoke furled overhead, leading them into the woodlands once more. Then, she stopped.

There, in the woodlands, was a horse. Two horses. In fact, her horse and William"s. Surprised, she turned.

"What?" William just laughed at her face. "Aye!" he said, nudging her gently. Softly, he propelled her to their place.

Stunned, Nora followed on, numbly aware she had been had.

"The horses...they...we...?"

"Were here all the time," confessed William ruefully, as Nora just stared.

Inside, she felt her heart pound. Looking up at the clear blue sky, she laughed. She had been had.

"Ye mean we walked all that way, into the heart o" the woods, when—" She gasped. She could not believe it! William had led her on a wild goose chase.

"Aye, the crofts were just there, a wee while from where we were."

A cheeky smirk wrapped its way around William"s face. Nora stood there, disbelieving. Blinking, she stared.

"Ye made me walk all that way an" rip my dress for nothing!"

Her eyes flashed with rage, but inside, she was feeling the teeniest bit amused. How could she not have noticed it? Then, she remembered the way William had pressed her forward, almost stopping her from looking around. Thinking, she sighed.

"Ye wee scunner!" she hissed, as William openly laughed. She glared at him. She should have been mad. But she was not. In fact, she was anything but.

Smiling, he lent her a hand. Sweetly, he pulled her along the well-trodden path to the horses. On the way, he glanced at her.

"Och, I am sorry. Will ye forgive me?"

His bright blue eyes made it impossible not to. Watching them, Nora melted. But she could not show it. Now, standing beside their horses, she petted her mare, waiting patiently for her.

"I may will," she said with steely determination she did not feel. "But my arisaid does nae. "Tis entirely ruined." Her eyes accused him as harshly as they could, but inside, she was vague. However hard she tried, she could not be angry. For a start, the scene was all too perfect.

Birdsong in the trees and a warmness spreading, the early spring skies blue and gay.

Then, unprompted, William came to her side. His body heat seeped out at her tantalizingly.

"Dinnae fash about that," he said, his eyes gazing plaintively. "It looks better noo than then."

Nora almost gasped. His eyes went to the wide slash in her robe, exposing the top of her leg. Quickly, Nora sought to cover it. Finally, William looked away.

Deeply, Nora blushed. But also, part of her wanted to confront him.

Her eyes just glanced at him wonderingly. Really, he should not have said this, but instead of feeling ill at ease, Nora was satisfied. It was clear now that he had feelings for her. But in knowing this, her heart yelped.

William was well-loved by his family and clan. Taking him away from them would be hard. Worse than that, she had feelings for him too.

Desperately trying to bury them down, Nora mounted her horse. She did not look his way or give William any chance to talk her out of it; she just went.

Wordlessly, William followed, and soon, they had trotted all the way back to the gates of Duncan Castle. There, they passed through the guards, with one of them, a young man with sandy hair, casting an amused glance at her.

But it was not until they were back in the Duncan stables that they spoke. By now, the sun was setting, and a stark chill had come into the air. Gazing out at the pink-red evening skies, Nora felt her hands freezing.

"Och!" She almost slipped, her grasp on the horse"s reins softening suddenly.

"Here." Immediately, William was at her side, helping her down with his strong arms. Nora fell into his warm touch.

"Thank ye," she said primly, as she got her bearings. Just for a moment, she had been unsteady, but now she was ready.

Except she was not ready at all. Feeling his soft grip, Nora fizzed and burned. She needed to be near him. All she could think was of leaning in deep and kissing his burly head.

And it did not help when he rose his smile to her. A pair of sparkling blue eyes teased her in.

"Are ye alright?" he said, concern in his eyes.

She nodded. Words had a habit of failing her like this.

Then, he paused. "Ye ken, I really am sorry. Sorry for yer frock an" for taking ye on a wild goose chase!"

Nora stopped. She was meant to be mad, to berate him and leave him alone. But she couldn"t. Instead, she pouted.

"I"m nae," she said, an incessant grin playing on her cheeks. "In fact, ye could do it all again."

Desire carved into her smile, holding him there. Watching her, William moved, coming closer.

"I could?" he said, his soft breath on her chin.

Crivvens!He was too close—too close for comfort—but it was too late. They were together. Worse still, they were touching.

She did not realize it, but he must have held her tight. There, in his arms, the specter of a kiss hovered over. Like a hawk, it lingered overhead, waiting for a time to swoop. She felt it. He felt it.

They were stuck.

A dart of something sweet and pleasurable took her, inveigling her underparts and giving her heat.

Nay!

Before it could go too deep, Nora immediately pulled away. And from the shocked look on William"s face, he stopped himself dead.

This is too far, Nora thought. Edging away, she fixed him with a slight grin.

"Thank ye," she said formally—or as formally as she could, wearing rags, in the dark, where they had so nearly wildly kissed.

She was retreating fast and in no mood to stop. All she could remember was William"s face as she pulled away.

"No, thank ye," said William. His voice was clear, but his eyes gave it away. He was confused. She could tell.

Nora bid him farewell, with the faintest glimpse of a smile, then swiftly marched herself back to the safety of her room. There, she triple-locked the door and threw herself against it, heart pounding hard.

If she was playing him, then why did it feel so real? Any further and they would have been kissing. Then how would she ever be able to go through with the plan?

Breathing intensely, Nora took a wee dram. She had had a lucky escape.

From herself.