Page 21 of What a Highlander’s Got to Do

And pray God she was too impassioned by that point to care.

Chapter Five

The next day, it rained. Isobel considered not going to meet Nick, but only for a moment.

She was a Scots lass and wouldn’t let a little drizzle keep her from a ride . . . of any kind.

Though, to be honest, it was more than just a drizzle. A downpour was more like it.

Still, she reveled in the wild weather. It matched her mood.

She did have to consider the fact that he might not come, being an Englishman and all. In her experience, they were particularly prissy about their discomforts.

So it was with great relief and delight that she spotted him, soaking wet, standing beneath their tree. He greeted her by swinging her down from her mount—which admittedly, before, she would not have allowed.

And then he kissed her.

His lips were cool and wet and delicious.

“You came,” he said.

“You came.” She slicked back his hair with her fingers. “I’m impressed.”

“And why does that impress you?” he asked on a laugh.

“Because.” She went up on her toes and kissed his chin. “You’re an Englishman.”

“Nae doubt there’s a Scotsman in my background somewhere.”

“There must be. You’ve come out in the rain.”

“I’ll have you know, I’ve been out in the rain before.”

“Astonishing.”

He pulled her closer and growled, “Be careful, wench. I might have to give you a spanking.”

“Och, promises, promises.” Just then a particularly fat raindrop landed on his forehead and dribbled down his nose. She chuckled. “Maybe we should find some place a wee bit drier.”

“After all that talk about Scottish intrepidness?”

“Only a wee bit drier.”

He took her horse’s reins and led her deeper into the woods. “I’ve made a shelter for us.”

“A shelter?” Impressive, indeed.

“It’s not much. Just boughs and such.” They came upon it and he waved over it with a flourish. It was indeed quite nice. Nicer than lying in the rain, although she wouldn’t have minded that.

“How long have you been waiting?” she asked on a laugh.

“A while.”

“Och. I feel terrible for making you wait in the rain.”

“I’m just glad you came, or all this would have been for naught.” He threaded his fingers through hers and shot her a charming smile. “Shall we put it to use?”

“Oh, most certainly.”