Page 64 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
Lilly’s hand shot up immediately. “I choose your course, my Lady,” she said, and Lachlan scoffed.
Marian nodded. “Perfect. You and Finn can follow that curve alongside the hill. I shall follow the Laird and cut through it. We’ll see which group arrives first at the grazing field.”
Lachlan raised an eyebrow, incredulous. “And ye chose to walk with me, why?”
Marian sighed dramatically. “For the sake of fairness, my Laird,” she replied, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Someone needs to keep you in check.
Lachlan stared at her, his eyes narrowing.
“All right,” he said, throwing his hands up in the air. “As long as ye daenae try to slow me down.”
The two groups arrived at the field at the same time.
Lilly and Finn waved from the other side of the field, while Lachlan stood behind Marian. He turned slightly toward her, noticing the deep frown on her face.
I doubt she ever had to run in England.
Marian crouched to catch her breath, and he offered her a hand, biting back the smile that was starting to tug at his lips.
“Me course appears to be just as efficient as yers,” he said.
Marian rolled her eyes, leaving his hand hovering in the air.
She’s a proud lass, even now.
Lilly came quickly to her side, rubbing her back gently.
“I do not think so, my Laird,” she said, not daring to look up at him. “Finn and I did not have to run uphill to get here in time.”
Lachlan’s eyebrows drew together as he took a closer look at the maid.
Another brazen English lass. Perhaps it is the same with all English lasses.
Marian held her hand, and Finn nodded in the back.
“Aye,” he agreed. “Forgive me, me Laird, but I shall have to side with the ladies on this.”
Lachlan’s eyes narrowed.
“It is all right,” Marian said, finally straightening. She raised her chin slightly. “There is no need to dwell on the matter. We all know who was right, except we choose to fool ourselves.”
She walked slowly toward the broken fence, and Lachlan followed closely behind.
I daenae fancy that she’s right.
His jaw tightened slightly, remaining that way for the rest of the journey.
Soon, they reached the broken fence.
The ground near the fence was softer than the rest of the field, damp from the previous night’s mist. Lachlan pressed his boot against the base of one of the leaning posts, testing its stability.
“Rot’s started settin’ in,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Finn nodded beside him. “We’ll need to reset at least two posts.” He glanced up briefly. “Maybe three.”
Lachlan nodded once. “Then we’ll get to work at once,” he said, rolling his shoulders slightly to loosen the tension that had settled there.
