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“What do you mean?”

“Well,” he shrugged, “if ye promise never tae disrespect me in front o’ me men again, I can help ye finish off yer list.”

For a second, Katherine didn’t speak. It wasn’t because his proposal wasn’t agreeable. She had crossed a line on more than one occasion, and embarrassed him in front of those who looked up to him, his brothers included. Her silence had more to do with the fact that she couldn’t imagine how he could possibly help her.

“Ye dinnae agree?” Domhnall pressed.

Katherine shook her head. “It’s not that I do not agree. It’s more that I don’t know how you are going to help me.”

“Well,” he smiled down at her, “I’d need tae ken what was on it ‘afore I could tell ye that.”

Katherine dropped her gaze and twisted her fingers. He was determined to get that out of her, and knowing she had to repeat her list, her face bloomed red once again. She knew her list by heart, and wanting to get it over and done with, she hurriedly rushed through them all.

“Kiss a stranger, spy on a gentleman bathing, ride astride a horse, get my skin marked with a tattoo, swim without clothes, and read a banned book.”

Her face blazed with mortification while her mind tortured her even further.

I’m pretty sure I’ll die from embarrassment.

“Very well,” Domhnall replied, though Katherine could still not bring herself to look at him. “I’ll help ye complete yer list.” He paused for a second, and then said. “And Katherine?”

She looked up to see that his eyes were soft and his expression sincere.

“I swear I’ll nae mock ye.”

While the mortification did not leave her, she nodded with a half-smile. “All right.”

CHAPTER TEN

The following morning, Katherine was enjoying the warm comfort of her bed. Barely awake, her eyes were just opening, when her door flew open and heavy footsteps across the wooden floor of her bedchamber tore her from her sleepiness with great haste.

Springing to a sitting position, her heart thumping in her chest, she glared at Domhnall as he approached the side of her bed.

“What the devil are you doing?” she cried. “You cannot just walk into my room whenever you feel like it. What if I was naked, or in the process of dressing?”

With a lifted eyebrow, Domhnall replied. “Ye’ll be me wife soon enough, Katherine. I’m going tae see yer nakedness at some point.”

Aghast at the thought, while at the same time embarrassed at his directness, Katherine’s mouth fell open in stunned astonishment as heat rushed to her cheeks.

While she was speechless, Domhnall only smirked down at her.

“Get dressed. We’re going riding.”

Half an hour later, Katherine arrived at the stables where Domhnall was standing waiting for her beside two horses. One beast was far larger than the other and Katherine was still relieved when Domhnall handed her the reins of the smaller one.

As she went to place her foot in the stirrup, Domhnall took her hand and stopped her.

“Nae. Today, yer going tae ride astride.”

With her eyes flying wide, Katherine stared up at him. Domhnall held her gaze, and for a second, he frowned.

“It’s what ye wanted, isnae it?”

“Yes,” she breathed, feeling her heart begin to thump in her chest.

“Ye’ll be fine, lass. In fact, riding with yer leg either side is safer than the way ye usually ride. Come on. Let me help ye.”

Lifting her upon the horse, Katherine awkwardly placed a leg either side of her mare, and settling in the saddle, she grabbed the reins.