Free Tempting the Highlander by Michele Sinclair Page A

off by now.”
    Raelynd could not deny Crevan’s criticism, for it was true. That and more. “It is just that she never really learned how to ride. When we were young and Father offered us lessons, she always became quite impossible and refused to participate.”
    “Raelynd, impossible does not describe your sister,” Crevan grumbled, and Raelynd knew he was referring to his earlier confrontation with Meriel. Both individuals proved that not only were they equally stubborn, but also that while it was a rare thing for either of them to raise their voices, they were more than capable. But in the end, Crevan had definitively won, if not the argument, the outcome. All of Meriel’s trunks had remained behind.
    Raelynd sighed, conceding. “I don’t know why she does not like horses. I find them peaceful. After my mother’s death, I would sneak out and ride to get away from everyone hovering over me, pretending like nothing had changed.”
    Her voice trailed and suddenly, the headstrong woman who so cavalierly caused chaos in her home disappeared. Left behind was someone he had always suspected lurked underneath, but until today had never witnessed.
    Crevan stole another peek at Raelynd, noticing her regal frame as she rode expertly along the rocky path. She was a natural horsewoman and watching her ride only confirmed what he already knew—Raelynd looked nothing like her sister.
    Meriel was soft and sweet and had an aura of innocence around her. It had pulled at the protective side of his nature. Raelynd, on the other hand, was all fire and spirit. For months, he had watched her manage the Schellden household. On the surface life in and around the castle ran smoothly—for like riding, Raelynd naturally understood what needed to be done. Underneath, however, was turbulence. She just did not know how to inspire people and as a result, both she and those around her became frustrated, creating unnecessary tension.
    On a handful of occasions, he had tried to advise her, but each time, Raelynd had spurned his input. Yet today, she had proven there was much more to her than what appeared and that she had promise of being a great Lady of the Castle. He doubted she herself even knew the depth of her true potential. A potential he should care nothing about. To the world, he and Meriel were a couple. And yet, it was not Meriel he had been thinking of the past few hours.
    “Have you and your sister always shared a room?”
    Raelynd nodded. “Always.”
    “Unbelievable,” Crevan mumbled. If he and Craig were ever forced to share a room, blood would be spilled in less than a week. Curious, he asked, “How can you live with someone so different than you?”
    Raelynd shuddered at the idea of sleeping alone. The concept had never occurred to her, but now that he had mentioned it, she wondered if he thought her immature for doing so. “Which are you? The messy or the clean one?”
    Crevan glanced sideways and gave her a playful grimace indicating that she should know. “I’m the one who doesn’t appear half naked and weaponless when the laird decides to do a battle drill in the middle of the night.”
    Raelynd laughed aloud at the memory of Craig hopping half undressed out into the courtyard. Of course Crevan was the orderly one. Everything he did was completely under control; consequently, she had assumed that everything about him was methodical . . . and well, boring. Never would she have guessed him to possess this droll personality he was showing her. Moreover, she would never have believed she could find Crevan McTiernay even remotely attractive. But she did.
    Silence permeated the air and Raelynd sought to fill it to continue having a reason to ride beside him. “Why do you insist on calling me Raelynd?”
    The question startled Crevan. “Because that is your name,” he answered honestly.
    “Everyone else calls me Lyndee.”
    “Not your father,” Crevan argued.
    Raelynd frowned. She was christened after her father and