Free Border Lord by Arnette Lamb

a legend. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
    "Living out a prophecy, I trow. You, lass, have the look of a MacDonald about you."
    Her throat closed. No one ever mentioned her family. "I do?"
    "Aye." The sound rumbled in his chest. He reached out and took a strand of her hair. " 'Tis like silky fire. MacDonald for certain."
    Good judgment told her to flee from this dark stranger with the ominous name. Fascination made her blurt, "I'm Lady Miriam."
    "You must be a Highland lassie," he said thickly.
    She thought of her childhood home. A snow-covered glen.
    A river of blood. A little girl wandering aimlessly. Tears welled in her eyes. She sniffled. "Doona cry, lassie. 'Tis too bonnie a night for tears." Then his hands touched her shoulders, and Miriam saw the invitation in his eyes.

4

    Duncan held his breath. Anticipation coursed like vintage wine through his veins. Would she take the bait and come willingly into his arms? Could he play the rogue and woo her into confessing her plan to make peace? Darkness intensified his doubts, for he couldn't see her clearly.
    He squinted, trying to make out her features. In the dim light he could discern only the shape of her lips and the line of her jaw. She neither smiled nor frowned. Yet one thing was certain: In darkness or light, deception or innocence, Miriam MacDonald was a beautiful woman.
    Instinct compelled him. He tugged gently on her shoulders. "Come, lass, and bide a wee. 'Tis time you had a proper Scottish welcome."
    "I shouldn't. I don't know you."
    Standing behind the wardrobe, he'd heard Lady Alexis say that Miriam longed for a Sir Lancelot. Duncan thought of something a gallant knight would say. "Look into your heart, lassie. You know who I am."
    She stepped closer. He held her in a loose embrace. She felt kitten soft against his chest, her glorious head bowed, her delicate hands clutching the fabric of his cape.
    The old familiar yearning for a woman of his own gnawed in Duncan's belly. But Miriam MacDonald was not the one for him. Still, he had a job to do. He stroked her back. "You're cold. Let me warm you."
    "I don't usually embrace strangers. I don't recognize your plaid."
    "I'm no stranger. Not to you."
    He'd come here to gain her confidence, to charm her, to learn her secrets. But she was doing her own prying and quite enticingly, too, from the way her fingers traced the weave of his cape.
    Over the gurgling of the fountain, he heard the dog lapping water. The resident bullfrog croaked to his lady love.
    Conscience nagging, Duncan thought of the ways he encouraged Malcolm when the lad grew shy. "You feel safe with me, don't you, Miriam?" he queried softly.
    A subtle change occurred in her bearing, and while Duncan couldn't precisely name it, he sensed she was judging him. "You're very forward, Sir Border Lord. What is your given name?"
    The special boots added inches to his height and allowed Duncan to rest his chin on her head. Her clean, fresh fragrance permeated his senses. The word companionship flashed in his mind. He whisked it away, snatched a name for himself, and got to the business at hand. " 'Tis Ian. Tell me. What brings such a finely bred and bonnie Highland lass to the Borders?"
    With a feather-light touch, she brushed her hand over his tartan. Even through the heavy wool his skin prickled.
    During the years Duncan had donned the costume and the demeanor of the Border Lord, he'd seldom encountered a woman, let alone romanced one. Now the notion challenged him.
    "I've come to settle a few matters," she said.
    He might be portraying a different man tonight and view the situation through new eyes, but Miriam hadn't changed. She was still the wily diplomat. He could be wily, too. He clutched her left hand. "You don't wear a wedding ring or a widow's band. Is that the matter you've come to settle?"
    "No. I've no wish to marry." Then she added, "At this time."
    By modern standards she should have been wed five, even ten years ago. "You should have a man