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Minerva peered at the man, mouth slightly ajar. Was he really suggesting she go unaccompanied with Lachlan? Not that Minerva would mind particularly—he had already proved himself the most honorable of men—but she would not have expected Mr. Johnson to approve of such a thing. Also, it was hard to picture him playing nursemaid.

“Believe it or not, my lady, I have quite the tender touch when needed.”

“I really do not think—”

“It’s a few days, nothing more. What your family doesn’t know, won’t hurt them.”

Minerva tried to prevent a smile curving her lips. “I am surprised at you, Mr. Johnson.”

He gave a grin. “If ever there were a more trustworthy lady than you, I have yet to meet her. All will be well, I promise.”

How Lachlan would feel about them being alone, she did not know, but the idea made her stomach tighten with excitement. She felt sorry for Mr. Young, but goodness…this really would be a new experience for her.

As expected, Lachlan was not so impressed with the idea. He grumbled even as they mounted their horses and set off away from the farm.

“Is it so very terrible to be in my company?” she teased.

“We should have delayed instead.” He scowled. “Your groom did not look all that unwell when I visited him.”

“The sooner we do this, the sooner you can have your peace and quiet.”

“Perhaps I don’t want—” He stopped and sighed. “I hope you can keep up the pace.” He urged his horse on, forcing her to quicken the pace to keep up. She grinned and arrived at his side as they came over the brow of the next hill.

“Goodness.”

Spread in front of them, it seemed as though all of Scotland was there for them to see. Wild pastures spread out like a blanket, the tufted corners growing into mountains that looked like she could reach out and touch them if she just stretched enough.

The scenery only continued to take her breath away, even as the aches of riding horseback started to take their toll. They took breaks when they could, but there was little sign of civilization. Minerva chewed on her bottom lip as the sun grew orange and intense behind the hills.

Lachlan slowed his pace to come up beside her. “It’s getting late, lass.”

She grimaced. She was all too aware of the sun dropping low in the sky, casting its warm amber fingers across the rolling hills. Normally, it would be a sight she welcomed, but not when they were seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

“It seems Mr. Young’s illness delayed us somewhat.”

He nodded. “We should have reached the next village by now. We are still some distance from it, unfortunately.” He senther a sideways look, filled with concern. “We cannot travel on in the dark.”

A shiver ran through her, but not from the cold. Only a light breeze flitted across the Highlands, and her thick pelisse protected her from the worst of it. However, where would they stay? How would they sleep? She could not see a single farmhouse or building anywhere.

“There is an old barn up ahead.”

She swung a look at him. “How do you know?”

He gave her a lopsided smile. “We’re still on my land, lass.”

Minerva drew in a breath. “You have been deceiving me. You had me believing you owned but a small parcel of land. Here it seems you own most of Scotland!”

“I never said it was but a small parcel of land.” He smiled.

“You never said it was half of Scotland either!”

“It is not quite that large.”

“You are too modest. Most men would spend all their day boasting of such ownership.”

His smile expanded. “Ah, but I’m not most men, lass.”

She rolled her eyes at his bravado. It was a side to him she rarely saw. What she had said was true, though, he was modest. Perhaps not too modest, but he certainly concealed quite how wealthy he was. She imagined if she had only met him briefly he might have let her go on believing he was a mere farmer. But farmer or not, she liked him immensely, and his relaxed attitude toward his wealth was one of those reasons why. The men she had met in London would be ensuring everyone knew exactly how big a landowner they were—in fact, those who did own decent acreage talked of it frequently. The few who did not included her brother and a close friend of his or two. She supposed that was why she quite liked Lachlan’s modesty. Only the men she admired most did not boast of such things.