Page 90

And she admired Lachlan very much.

To think he came from nothing. What a man he was.

“How much longer until this barn then?” she asked.

“Just over this brow.” He motioned toward the top of the slope ahead. “I don’t expect it to be comfortable, but it is shelter.” He sent another concerned look.

Well, she had wanted to be challenged. She had not anticipated camping out in the wild, barren lands of Scotland, but it would certainly be a new experience. Her grandpapa would be exceedingly pleased, she was sure.

She drew up her chin. “As you say, so long as it is shelter. Hopefully, we can find a nice bed to rest in tomorrow.”

“What will you tell your family? When they ask of this journey? I do not think they would be impressed that you spent the night alone with a Scotsman.”

“My family have their own concerns at present.” She grinned. “And how shall they ever find out? I shall swear Mr. Johnson and Mr. Young to secrecy.”

“You trust them?”

“Implicitly. Mr. Johnson has been with the family since I was a child. And Mr. Young has been with us for five years.”

He gave a low chuckle. “I wish I could say the same for my servants. I suspect many of them dislike working for a man who was not born with his wealth.”

“I imagine they have their reservations. But you would be surprised at what friendships you can create with those who work for you. I would trust many of them with my life. In fact, many of them did save my life that day I was kidnapped. It was several of the servants who found me and held the kidnappers until they could be dealt with.”

“So, you’re telling me I should make more of an effort?”

“Well, I would not be so bold. But running away and playing farmer probably does not help things.” She tilted her head. “Your behavior is not that of a normal lord.”

“I am not a lord,” he pointed out.

“No, but there is no reason you should not behave as one. Or at least elements of your behavior should be like one. Take command, show them that you are their master. So long as you are good and just—which I know you are—they shall respect you eventually.”

His eyes crinkled. “I think you should become my adviser, Minerva. You must be the sagest woman I have ever met.”

She shrugged. “I highly doubt that, but I have lived that sort of life and spent so much time inside that I am highly aware of the inner workings of a servant’s life.” She smiled. “I never thought that experience might come in handy.”

Lachlan didn’t say anything. His gaze skimmed over her, and a warm smile lingered on his lips. Before she could question why he was giving her such a look, he pointed into the distance. “Look, there is our shelter for the night.”

The last rays of the sun dripped over the landscape. A small stone barn silhouetted against the fading daylight. Though she had seen more welcoming buildings, tiredness ate into every one of her muscles. At present, she suspected she could sleep almost anywhere. It looked to be in relatively good repair and would shelter them from any wind or inclement weather for the night.

Her stomach tightened, sending a little thrill of nervousness through her. Though she could not tell whether it was from the thought of spending the night in a dark building or from being with Lachlan all night—alone.

Perhaps it was both.

They came alongside the building, and Lachlan handed her down from the horse. He tethered them and motioned for her to wait. “There is a stream just there,” he indicated with his head down the slope of the hill, “I shall fetch some fresh water for us all and feed and water the horses. “

“I can help.”

“Sit, lass, before you fall down. You look exhausted.”

She grimaced. “I am not used to travelling on horseback for long periods of time, unfortunately. But I had hoped I did not look so fragile.”

“You never look fragile, but you do look tired.”

Minerva sank down onto a rock and watched him pick his way down the slope toward a stream. He filled a flagon with water and then the bucket for the horses. She peered around at the slowly graying scenery and drew in a long gulp of fresh air. This experience was so far removed from her life, that she could hardly believe it. Here she was, in the Scottish Highlands, with no bed or proper shelter. If she were in London, she would be tucked up in their townhouse, likely playing cards with her mother or playing the piano. They might have a few visitors over, and she would be avoiding them by reading a book. Yes, she was tired, and her body hurt more than it had ever done before, but she never felt so…so free. Not once had she worried about her safety or thought of that awful night. Even at home in London, she could not claim such a thing.

Once Lachlan had seen to the horses, he set about lighting a fire and dishing out what food rations they had to keep them going. He sat beside her, a small gap between them that she wished to close. She peered at his profile in the waning light as the golden flicker of flames danced across his features.

“I imagine you did not anticipate having to escort a girl across the Highlands for some silly task when you answered your door, did you?”