Well, she would worry about that later. For now, though—
Before she could finish the thought, another man stepped in front of the group. One who took her thoughts – and her breath – away for a moment.
He looked like a fierce Scottish Highland warrior of days long past, she thought as her eyes ran over him. She had never seen a man so… so… undeniably attractive. He held himself tall and proud, his jacket tight over his chest above the kilt that swirled around his legs. Rebecca never realized a man wearing a skirt could be so utterly masculine. It was actually quite puzzling.
He had apparently just dismounted his horse and was now tying the beautiful chestnut to the fence post beside him as his dark eyes scanned the lot of them, his mouth set in a grim line. He looked suitably unimpressed, and Rebecca could see why. The sun, which had begun climbing in the sky, silhouetted him from behind, and while he was not quite as broad as the blond Highlander standing next to him, she knew he would be, at the very least, a foot taller than her own small frame, and certainly more of a man than any of her father’s acquaintances that surrounded him. His face had a serious countenance as he said something quietly to Rory, who then began speaking, but for the life of her she couldn’t listen to a word Rory said as she continued to stare at the new arrival.
“I’d like to introduce you all to Adam McDougall,” Rory called out to them. “As many of you have heard, he is an excellent guide and knows this area well. Adam is well versed in all of the wildlife ye will find before you throughout your journey. Listen well to him, and he will not steer you astray. Enjoy the exploration today, before the real game begins tomorrow!”
Rory stepped away to find his own mount, leaving the group to Adam. He nodded at them all. “Thank ye for coming and for having me to be your guide. I heard I was requested, and feel very—” his cheek twitched “—fortunate.”
Rebecca didn’t think he looked particularly pleased with the situation, but no matter.
“Rory and I will lead our horses in case we should require them, but please, follow with us, and do not touch anything you are unsure of.”
His eyes scanned the crowd, as if searching them out to see if there would be any issue. Rebecca swallowed as they landed on her. She waited for them to move on, but they did not. He had captured her in his gaze, and it seemed he was not letting go.
Adam stood in front of the unlikely group. Today a hike, tomorrow a hunt. His eyes raked over the crowd of Englishmen. Some were lean, some were rather paunchy, but none looked particularly prepared for this hike. Then suddenly his gaze stopped on another figure. One that wouldn’t fit into any crowd here on the Highlands.
He scanned the woman from the toes of her clean, black leather boots up the beautiful, delicate gown to the top of the silly white bonnet that sat on the top of her head. Forgetting the rest of the assembled group, he strode over, and looked down at the woman, who, he now realized, was a tiny thing, shorter than most women and quite slight.
“You are not coming with us.” He spoke affirmatively, providing her no room with which to argue, and yet she spoke back to him.
“Of course I am,” she said, her nose in the air. “And you have no right to tell me not to.”
“I do have a right,” he responded. “The safety of all of these people lies with me, and if I have to spend my time addressing the numerous tiny concerns ye cook up, they will not have their guide.”
“How dare you?” Her deep blue eyes, the color of Loch Ness, flashed at him. “I will not trouble you in the least with my concerns, I assure you, no more than any man here.”
“No?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her. “What happens when you become too hot? Too hungry? Too thirsty? Too tired? What will you do?”
“I shall do what any person would do, and that is tend to my requirements, or wait until such time that it is appropriate to do so. I assure you, sir, that you will not have to worry about me.”
“What seems to be the issue?” came a voice from behind him, and Adam turned to find a man near as tall as himself, with dark blond hair and an air of haughtiness as he managed to look at Adam from overtop his nose.
“’Tis nothing, Vincent,” said the girl with a wave of her hand. “Thank you for your concern.”
“Are you harassing my fiancée?”
“Fiancée! Vincent, I should hardly think that we are—”
“You will leave her be,” the Englishman continued. “Or you shall have me to answer to. You do continue to enjoy the revenue we bring you, do you not?”
Adam gritted his teeth. This was why he had not wanted to lead today’s hike, or any event including men like this one.
“Be careful, lass, that is all,” he said, stepping backward. He was about to turn away, but had one final question. “I must ask you — what in the devil is on your head?”
“My bonnet!” she replied, indignation flashing in her eyes. “What else would it be?”
“I certainly have never seen the likes of it,” he said in all honesty. “I’m nae sure what you expect it to do, but it certainly willna keep the insects and the sun away.”
“I thank you for your concern,” she said in a tone that made it clear she did not appreciate the sentiment. “However, despite your opinion, I will wear this, and would ask you not to cause a scene, sir.”
“As you wish,” he said, finally stepping away, though he glanced back a few times to see her refuse the help of the Englishman who had called her his betrothed. Adam shook his head as he untied his horse and walked to the front of the pack. The English.
True to her word, the girl — or young woman, he couldn’t be sure of her age — kept up with the men she accompanied, though it was clear she was unused to such physical activity. Perhaps some Englishwomen would be more physical on a country estate, he thought, but certainly nothing like the women in the Highlands, who spent every moment of their day caring for their home or their family.
He tried not to turn around and watch her but couldn’t help himself. Her hair had loosened and stuck to the side of her face as she perspired on her way up the grassy hill. The ridiculous piece of fabric she had been wearing on her head was now bouncing around her shoulders, and her cheeks were flushed from the rising sun. Yet she was still faring better than some of the older men of the group, and he begrudgingly admired her resolve to utter no word of complaint.
He wasn’t taking the group far. He would simply provide them with a view of where they would spend the next few days hunting and show them the lay of the land. As they neared the top of the hill, they came to the one outcropping that was slightly more treacherous than the rest. He called out to the rest of them in a warning, and he watched her begin to pick her way over it. She had nearly scaled it when her foot slipped, the slick sole of her leather boot not providing her with enough traction. Her skirts, though not as voluminous as some he had seen the English wear, became tangled between her legs and she went down with a thud.
Adam scrambled down the hill back to her, but when he finally reached her and stretched out a hand to help her, she had already righted herself and waved away his help.
“I’m fine,” she said. “I thank you, however.”
“Nothing to thank me for,” he said gruffly. “I am simply doing my job.”
He looked up to see the man she called Vincent was far ahead, having left her behind as he made his own way up the hill. Adam nodded to her then left as he resumed his place at the front of the group. They would make one more stop before they returned to Darfield — the village where most of the crofters lived. It was part of the “experience” they provided, although he hated taking the English there. He could see the disdain in their eyes as they looked at the crofters as a species less than themselves. He trained his eyes over the loch — his loch. A few more days, he told himself, then they would all be gone. He could hardly wait.
Adam’s Call is now available to preorder on Amazon.
Also by Ellie St. Clair
Standalone
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Unmasking a Duke
The Stormswept Stowaway
Christmastide with His Countess
Her Christmas Wish
Happily Ever After
The Duke She Wished For
Someday Her Duke Will Come
Once Upon a Duke’s Dream
He’s a Duke, But I Love Him
Loved by the Viscount
Because the Earl Loved Me
Happily Ever After Box Set Books 1-3
Happily Ever After Box Set Books 4-6
Searching Hearts
Duke of Christmas
Quest of Honor
Clue of Affection
Hearts of Trust
Hope of Romance
Promise of Redemption
Searching Hearts Box Set (Books 1-5)
The Unconventional Ladies
Lady of Mystery
Lady of Fortune
Lady of Providence
Lady of Charade
Blooming Brides
A Duke for Daisy
A Marquess for Marigold
An Earl for Iris
A Viscount for Violet
The Blooming Brides Box Set: Books 1-4
The Bluestocking Scandals
Designs on a Duke
Inventing the Viscount
Discovering the Baron
The Victorian Highlanders
Callum’s Vow
Finlay’s Duty
Adam’s Call
Coming Soon
Roderick’s Purpose
Peggy’s Love
About the Author
Ellie has always loved reading, writing, and history. For many years she has written short stories, non-fiction, and has worked on her true love and passion -- romance novels.
In every era there is the chance for romance, and Ellie enjoys exploring many different time periods, cultures, and geographic locations. No matter when or where, love can always prevail. She has a particular soft spot for the bad boys of history, and loves a strong heroine in her stories.
She enjoys walks under the stars with her own prince charming, as well as spending time at the lake with her children, and running with her Husky/Border Collie cross.
www.prairielilypress.com/ellie-st-clair
[email protected]
Finlay's Duty: A Scottish Victorian Romance (The Victorian Highlanders Book 2) Page 17