Free A Highland Folly by Jo Ann Ferguson Page B

the river? This might be some grand jest, he decided, as he stared at the elegant house that was set upon a low hill beyond a long stone wall that snaked along the crest and down toward the riverbank. He had been furious when he learned that he was being sent here instead of the Pennines. Yet his promise to complete this final project for his partners had kept him from saying no even though he wanted to curse the twist of fate that had brought him back to the banks of the Abhainn an Uruisg.
    He set the horse to a faster pace along the narrow, twisting path. Turning, Anice revealed her surprise, then her eyes narrowed, reminding him that all her emotions were not sweet. This strong-willed woman would not relent in her resolve to do what she believed was her duty.
    â€œDid you follow me here?” she asked as he neared.
    â€œNot exactly.” He swung down off the horse. Looking up at the stone gates, he asked, “Have you decided to give your neighbors on this side of the river a look-in?”
    â€œIt seemed like a good idea. I wish to know what others are thinking about your work here.”
    â€œOr are you trying to escape from Ardkinloch and the opinions there?”
    Anice laughed, the anger vanishing from her eyes. “It might be a bit of both.”
    â€œAfter hearing about the brangle your cousin was part of last night at the tavern in Killiebige, I should have suspected as much.”
    â€œParlan was simply boasting.” She laced her fingers together in front of her. “Not exactly boasting when he told Mr. Potter that he could outshoot any Englishman working for you. Parlan is an excellent marksman.”
    â€œHow excellent?”
    â€œHe did not shoot at us!” Anice turned to walk through the gates of Chester Hills. When Lucais’s hand settled on her arm, she turned, startled. Not just at his brazen motion but at her reaction to it. Something warm inside her urged her to forgive him for being so bold … and for anything else he might do. She must have taken a knock in the cradle to be so silly. After all, her ears still rang with Neilli’s outrage that Anice had not followed her immediately back to Ardkinloch two days before, when Lucais had stopped to speak with them.
    â€œJust being seen with him,” Neilli had argued, “will label you his ally.”
    â€œThat is ridiculous,” Anice had answered as she paced her bedchamber in Ardkinloch.
    â€œIs it? If you heard the talk in the village, you would know you need to be careful.”
    â€œI do not need to hear any poker-talk to know the need for caution.” Anice set her bonnet on the chaise longue by her bedroom window overlooking the valley below. Realizing she was staring in the direction of the road camp, she looked back at her cousin, who was bristling with her fury. “Neilli, I appreciate your counsel, but consider this. Making the roadmen furious might cause more trouble for this glen.”
    â€œYou do not care about all the roadmen. Just Lucais MacFarlane.”
    â€œHe has been most pleasant.”
    Neilli had sniffed her disbelief. “If you are going to show a want of sense, then I must speak with Parlan without delay on this.”
    Anice shivered as she recalled her cousin’s words, even though she doubted if Neilli had had a chance to speak with Parlan about that conversation. Parlan had not been at Ardkinloch for the past two days. Even Neilli seemed unsure where he might be, saying only that her brother liked to go hunting among the upper reaches. Anice had believed he was there until she heard about the uproar over the conversation between Parlan and Mr. Potter at the tavern.
    â€œAnice, I did not mean to suggest that your cousin took aim on us,” Lucais said, drawing her attention back to him.
    â€œThen why did you ask?”
    â€œTrying to keep the conversation going while I devise an excuse to join you on this call.”
    â€œWhy?” She frowned.