Description
Fear rippled over her. If the clan discovered her book, would they burn her as a witch? Thank God, Alex had tucked The History of the Highlands inside his saddlebag. At least, reading it to him had proved she had spoken the truth about coming from the future. She chewed her bottom lip and forced her foggy mind to concentrate. Passing four weeks in the fifteenth century unnoticed would be a difficult task, but many Scots of this time wouldn’t have met an English woman, and they may well ignore any mistakes as ignorance. Yes, she could act the part and with the Clan Murray Laird to protect her, she doubted anyone would dare challenge her origins.
As Alex and Hamish saddled the horses and made ready to depart, she sifted through what remained of her possessions. She removed a few important items and secured them in Alex’s saddlebags. With the first-aid kit, toothbrush, toiletries, and the remaining food for the trip inside the saddlebags, she reluctantly zipped up her backpack. Her stomach rolled in fear of never returning to the Faerie Tree and being lost in time forever.
Taking a deep breath to strengthen her resolve, she moved behind a thick honeysuckle bush and glanced around to ensure her privacy. Satisfied, she stripped down to her underwear and dressed in the shirt. The linen garment came down to cover her knees. She wrapped the strip of plaid around her waist and sat down to remove her shoes. Deciding to keep the long socks for warmth, she pushed everything back into her backpack and stuffed the bag deep inside a crevice between two boulders.
“That will do nicely.” Alex moved to her side and draped his cloak over her shoulders. “Ye are verra bonnie, and I am proud to call ye wife.”
Startled, Kate pressed one hand over her pounding heart. Good grief, he had returned like a phantom without one footstep or twig cracking to announce his arrival. He moved like a shadow and his life would depend on his ability to move with stealth. Her gaze traveled over him and a shimmer of excitement scuttled through her.
He was gorgeous.
Tall and muscular with the striking good looks of a naughty archangel, he smiled at her with a flash of even teeth. The tips of his ears reddened as if he had read her mind. His intent stare ran the length of her body before returning to meet her gaze with a blatant invitation. Most men found her too fat, but Alex’s expression held nothing but admiration. This just has to be a dream. Why would someone like him want someone like me?
Alex cupped her cheek in one large palm and peered at her from beneath long, silky lashes. “Has nayone told ye how bonnie ye are, Kate?”
She swallowed hard and forced down the desire to rub against him like a cat. “Not lately. In my time most men prefer their women to be tall and skinny.”
Alex laughed so loudly, birds took to the sky in panic. The expression in his hooded green eyes danced with mischief. “Well, lass, ye are perfect in ma eyes. Ye have skin like a pink rose and a lovely rounded arse. The men in your village must be blind not to appreciate how bonnie ye are. Skinny women are not to ma taste. They are a poor example of a father’s wealth, aye.”
She gaped at him in disbelief. “Thank you.”