Free Victoria Roberts - [Bad Boys of the Highlands 03] by To Wed a Wicked Highlander Page B

determination were like a rock inside her. When Alexander approached her, she vowed to show the man how unconcerned she was about her clan’s departure.
    “Are ye all right?” he asked solemnly.
    While her husband’s words about being truthful replayed in her mind, she contemplated whether or not to speak honestly. But that nagging feeling would not cease. How would she ever get the man to trust her if she didn’t speak the truth on some occasions? Against her better judgment, she decided to share her feelings.
    “I will be. I feel somewhat saddened to see my clan take their leave, but I am proud to be your wife.” Her words seemed to please him because he gifted her with a bright smile.
    “I am proud to have ye as my wife.”
    “What do we do now?” When he raised his brow, she realized the meaning of her words insinuated something which she was not yet ready to repeat. “I mean to say—”
    “I know what ye meant. Do ye wish for a tour of my home or my lands?”
    He didn’t need to ask her twice. With the sun shining in her face, Sybella’s decision was already made. She was about to speak when Alexander chuckled in response.
    “I see it in your eyes, lass. Let me secure our mounts.”
    She followed him into the barn. Massive wooden beams were overhead, and the smell of hay tickled her nose. Her husband certainly knew his horseflesh because gigantic steeds occupied every stall. As soon as she passed one mount with its pawing feet, the next one would follow suit. The horses playfully threw their heads and nodded in greeting. The animals seemed anxious to run free in the open air, a feeling she knew all too well.
    Alexander poked his head around the corner. “Come here and see the mount I have chosen for ye.”
    She walked to the very last stall where a gentle mare several hands shorter than the rest stood very still. The chestnut horse was so immobile that Sybella had to look twice to make sure the beast was not dead. “I donna know what to say.”
    “She is a verra quiet horse. I think ye two will get along fine.” He patted the even-tempered creature on the neck and then looked at Sybella for approval.
    “Where is my own horse?” she asked, glancing around the stable. When Alexander raised his brow questioningly, she added, “The one I rode from Kintail.”
    “Your father’s men gathered him this morn, lass.”
    “My father took my horse?” Her voice unintentionally went up a notch.
    “Ye donna like this one?”
    If she was to spend the rest of her days under a MacDonell roof, she could not hold her tongue all of the time. And this happened to be one of them. “’Tisnae that I donna like her, but mayhap she would be more suited for someone like Aunt Iseabail. I know how to ride, Alexander. I donna need a quiet mount.”
    He closed the distance between them until his imposing frame stood before her. She cast her eyes downward as her husband brushed past her. “Then tell me, Lady MacDonell, which mount would ye choose?”
    After inspecting each available mount in the stable, she pointed to the most muscular of the bunch. “This one.”
    “ That one?” Alexander glanced sideways in surprise. “The captain of my guard has his brother, lass. Those two are indeed a handful. I donna think he is suited for ye. Nay, pick another.”
    Sybella laughed to cover her annoyance. “Ye asked me which horse I would choose, and I made my decision. I am nae some fragile flower. I have ridden with Colin many—”
    He threw up his hands in the air. “ Fine . If he tosses ye onto your arse, I will be the first to say I told ye so.” Alexander opened the stall door and mumbled under his breath. “What did I get myself into?”
    She folded her arms over her chest. “Ye do realize I can still hear ye.”
    Her husband peeked around the stall door. “My apologies. Would ye rather I speak when I look at ye? I would be happy to repeat—”
    When she realized that he was only jesting, she rolled her eyes.