Free Dangerous Pride by Eve Cameron Page B

her, certainly, but she was rarely in his thoughts.  In recent weeks that had changed, and he’d come to see her as much more than a child.
    Catriona was blossoming into a lovely young girl, her slim figure ripening with the promise of womanhood.  Though she was not blessed with Elizabeth’s conventional beauty, as she matured the lass was growing into her features. The strong, straight nose that had once dominated her delicate features now seemed perfectly suited.  Her long, thick hair that had once been brash and over-bright had darkened with time to a deep shade of mahogany that seemed to be a dozen different colors when it caught the sun.  Her emerald eyes and pale, freckled skin gave her an air of innocence and vulnerability that were every bit as attractive as Elizabeth’s cold, calculated beauty. Perhaps even more so, he acknowledged.
    And Catriona’s generous, selfless nature far outshone her sister’s – of that he had no doubt.  The respect she’d gained as a healer was well-earned.  Catriona would never turn her back on any of God’s creatures, and the fact that she’d put herself in peril that eve was proof enough.
    Sighing under his breath, Lachlan turned to find Catriona checking on the animals.  “It did no’ occur to you to leave the sheep behind and take shelter for yerself?”
    Catriona turned to answer his question, her once dulled eyes again full of life – and a spark of temper, he thought.  “No, it did no’, and I’m sure it would no’ have occurred to anyone with a conscience.  Or a heart,” she added pointedly, her hands braced on her hips as she stared him down.  “I would thank you not to treat me like a bairn who canna keep out of trouble.  I would have managed fine, with or without you.  But now that yer here, you can help me bring the animals home so I can tend to them.”
    Lachlan struggled to control the smile that threatened at the corners of his lips.  Aye, she was a firebrand, no doubt of that, but only when there was a threat to someone – something – she cared for.  If only she had the same courage and resolve when it came to the way she allowed other people to treat her.
    He loved the way her brogue thickened when she was angered, and the flush of color that stained her cheeks.  There was little doubt the lass had a passionate nature.  The man who wedded – and bedded – her would be a lucky fellow, indeed.
    Not liking the direction his mind was headed, Lachlan shook off his errant thoughts and focused on the task at hand.  He needed to get her to a safe shelter, and with as little risk to himself as possible.  He was quickly learning that her tongue could be considered a fierce weapon in its own right.
    “I’m no’ surprised you put the welfare of these beasties ahead of the likes of me,” he replied pleasantly.  “But yer wrong if you think we can reach Boyne tonight.  This storm is growing stronger even as we stand here.  And as much as it pains me to say – you being such a capable lass and all – ye’ve been headed in the opposite direction of yer father’s keep.”  Lachlan could not withhold the chuckle that escaped his lips as he registered her chagrined expression.  “Nay, we are too far from Boyne to attempt to return there in this weather.  We’ll seek shelter for the rest of the night, and then I’ll escort you home in the morning.”
    “But what about my father?” she blustered, unconsciously stepping back from him as she considered the implications.  “Surely you canna mean to let him worry about my welfare all night!”
    “You should have thought of that before, lass,” he replied mildly, silently pleased that she looked so uncomfortable at the prospect of spending the night with him.  The lass had been playing with fire, and it was time she learned her lesson.  He met her gaze steadily, willing her to argue further, until she finally looked away.
    Catriona knew she was trapped.  It would be dangerous to