Highland Warlord - Amy Jarecki Page 0,21

immediately spotted Sir James already seated at the table. “Good morn, everyone,” she chirped.

He didn’t look up but shoved a bite of sausage into his mouth. “You’d best eat your fill. We ride within the hour,” he said, his voice gruff.

Suddenly not very hungry, Ailish’s throat swelled. Had she done something wrong? Was he angry with her?

Torquil rose from the bench. “You can take my seat. I’ll go see to the horses.”

As she sat and served her plate, Ailish watched the big man through the fans of her eyelashes. He hadn’t glanced her way, not even once. What the devil? And after they’d shared the most passionate kiss she’d ever imagined. Did he think her a harlot for letting him kiss her last eve?

How dare he? Sir James kissed me, not the other way around.

His aloofness needled her to no end. How could he have been so passionate and completely flip his manner within a few hours?

When Sir James stood, his gaze met hers for the briefest of moments before sweeping across the hall. “Eat your fill but do not dawdle. I’ll see you ladies outside anon.”

“But we’ve only just started,” said Coira.

“Wheesht,” Ailish snapped, her good spirits completely dissolved. “We won’t be but a moment.”

“He seems rather cantankerous this morn,” the maid whispered as Sir James walked out the door.

“His pallet was most likely as hard as stone. I’ll wager he didn’t sleep a wink.” The man had slept on a hard floor, and she had awakened him—unless he went about kissing women in his sleep. “I only hope I don’t have to ride with the beastly curmudgeon,” she added while the porridge churned in her belly. Oh, how she’d been looking forward to curling against Sir James’ powerful chest and enjoying his warm breath upon her neck. But everything had changed as soon as she’d stepped into the hall.

But why?

After they’d finished their meal, paid their respects to Mr. Cunningham, and headed outdoors, Ailish looked twice at the horses the men had assembled. With Torquil and Caelan, there were five riders, but only four mounts with saddles and the mule was packed with stores.

James grasped her elbow. “Not to worry, Sister. Erloch has given us a garron pony for Coira to ride, and you’ll be doubling with me as before.”

“I could double with her.”

He gave her a leg up onto the palfry. “You could, but mine’s the larger mount. We’ll travel faster if you ride with me.”

She glared down at him. “I’ll have you know I am an excellent horsewoman.”

“Did I say you were not?”

Ailish pursed her lips. He hadn’t said as much, but she reasoned if he had his druthers he’d prefer not to have her ride with him. He most likely was concerned with moving as fast as possible and rued the fact they’d be sharing the warhorse. After all, the sooner they reached Lincluden the sooner he’d be rid of her.

Chapter Seven

A tic at the back of James’ jaw annoyed him like flies in a privy. And it had everything to do with how miserable he felt about grousing at Lady Ailish this morn. But it had to be done. Each of them had lost their sense of duty in the wee hours of the night. No matter how much he wanted to tilt that lovely chin his way and devour her with kisses, he must not.

After Ailish returned to her bed last eve, he’d felt like an unmitigated arse. He hadn’t slept, either.

James had no business wooing a proper lady—aye, a tryst with a widow or an alehouse wench might suffice, but Her Ladyship was neither of those. She was the daughter of an earl, and the eldest to boot. Obviously, the Bruce wanted to ensure her safe passage to protect her virtue, not for James to take it. And to make matters worse, she was traveling in a nun’s disguise. Riding off into the thicket and having a wee roll in the grass was out of the question, no matter how much his cock throbbed every time she moved her shapely backside.

Aye, sharing a mount was pure agony. Having Lady Ailish so close and being unable to embrace her had already twisted his heart into knots. Yet, in no way would he allow her to ride with anyone else. Especially Torquil. And though Coira might be a splendid lady’s maid, she wasn’t equipped to protect the lass.

At least he felt a bit more confident riding in a star formation with Torquil taking up