Free The Master Of Strathburn by Amy Rose Bennett

given there was nothing remotely appropriate about the way they were seated. With each swaying step of the horse, her back and rump pressed and rubbed up against the man.
    There was a short silence. Rob’s fingers clenched around the reins but he soon answered smoothly enough. ‘Aye, I am. Although it has been some time since I have been in the area. But I’m sure the earl won’t mind that I’m presuming on an old acquaintanceship with the family in using his lodge. And you must remember to call me Rob.’
    They both lapsed into silence again. Jessie’s mind drifted between half-formed thoughts and questions she should ask about the exact nature of Rob’s association with the earl and his family—for instance, was he an old friend of Simon’s?—but she was suddenly finding it difficult to think about anything except her own immediate discomfort. The unsettling physicality of the man behind her, the persistent pain of her injuries and the bone-chilling rain, were all beginning to wear on her.
    Several quiet minutes passed before Rob startled her out of her fog of fatigue with a question of his own. ‘What were you doing up here all alone, Jessie?’
    Her pulse began to hammer and her mouth suddenly grew dry. What should she tell him? How much of her situation should she disclose? ‘I … I was out walking … on my way to Grantown-on-Spey … I wanted to see the countryside. But then as you know, I sprained my ankle.’ Her explanation sounded weak, implausible even to her own ears.
    ‘Mmm, I see.’ Rob paused and the taut moment stretched. ‘So do you reside nearby? You too seem familiar with Lord Strathburn and his family.’
    Rob’s tone of voice was neutral but even so, Jessie fought to control another surge of panic. She needed to think clearly. Although she was alone and essentially defenceless, perhaps if she hinted at an association with the earl’s family rather than revealing that she was only the factor’s daughter, Rob would be aware that she had connections in high places. So far, he had not behaved in an untoward manner; however, she hoped that disclosing this information would afford her some additional measure of protection during the night ahead.
    Although her acquaintanceship with Lord Strathburn had not stopped Simon.
    ‘I … I have been staying at … Lochrose Castle for several weeks,’ she stammered, silently cursing her incoherence; it made her sound like the nervous liar she was.
    Rob’s deep voice was at her ear. ‘And will not the earl and his family be expecting you home then? I wonder why they have let you roam so far by yourself.’
    * * *
    Jessie did not respond. Tension seemed to be vibrating through her whole body; her spine had grown stiff, her shoulders had tensed—indeed, Robert could feel her shivering against him. He’d obviously terrified the girl into silence by making such a point of her isolation. Part of him regretted that this relentless line of questioning was destroying the fragile camaraderie that seemed to be developing between them. But he needed to know if Simon or anyone else would miss the girl and would come looking for her … and in doing so, find him.
    ‘Aye, I expect Lord and Lady Strathburn will be worried by now. They may send out the Watch to look for me,’ Jessie eventually replied.
    What a brave, clever lass she was. ‘Yes, I’m sure they will, Jessie,’ Robert remarked, if only to reassure her that he meant her no harm. Other than what he’d already inflicted on her, albeit accidently.
    And all because I had a stupid bloody craving for venison.
    He couldn’t help but admire her strategy of hinting she had powerful allies who would be looking out for her welfare. Perhaps she was a ward of his father’s. In that case, the Watch and other clansmen would definitely be sent out to search for her. He inwardly cursed. He really didn’t need this. But then, would the Watch or perhaps even Simon be out scouring these upland glens and corries