He watched her riding in front of him, her back straight, her movement fluid, her hair now streaming down her back, thanks to their wild ride. It was as glorious as he’d pictured. “Peacock,” he muttered under his breath.

Callum came up next to him. “She can’t be all bluster. She kept up with ye.”

James grinned. “Aye, she did.” He looked at her again as the wind ruffled those glorious locks of hair. “The thing about peacocks is they’ve a right to strut. They are stunning.”

“And so is she,” Callum returned quietly. “And she likes you too. I saw her holding yer hand.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. It was a gesture of sympathy because I’d mentioned something about my parents,” James warned, his voice going hard again.

“You’ve never told me about that,” Callum accused.

“Don’t be ridiculous. We’re men. We don’t share like that. I didn’t mean to share with her either. I am married to the sea currently and I don’t intend to change that for a good long while. Not until it is required and perhaps not even then.” Why did those words sound wrong? “But I was wrong to judge her so quickly. She’s far more than the vain girl I first thought she was.”

“I agree. She would make any man proud.” Callum’s voice held a warning. “And you are making it difficult for me to pursue her.”

James’ insides lurched. Jealousy rising like bile in his throat. He had the ridiculous urge to tell his friend to stay the hell away from her. But he swallowed those feelings down. “I’ll try to remember that.”

Callum kicked his horse forward and joined Ainsley in the front. He could hear them talking amicably, no arguments, no needling. Just polite conversation. He had meant it when he’d said that he didn’t want to pursue a match with her, but did the two of them have to appear so perfect for one another?

Two hours later, he had most of his business done, and after a meal at the inn, they were making their way back to Iverness.

He hadn’t spoken much to Ainsley, but somehow, it was becoming more difficult to ignore her.

“So how many sisters do you have?” Callum was asking.

“Two, both older, but complete opposites.” Ainsley laughed as she said the last part.

James found himself grinning. He wasn’t surprised she was the youngest.

“Fiona is my oldest sister. She has flaming red hair and a temper to match, just like my father. But she is also the best horseman I know and fiercely loyal.”

“Better than you?” James asked unable to hold back anymore.

“Did ye just compliment me?” Her hair swung about her back as she turned those big beautiful eyes his way with a cheeky grin.

Bloody hell he wanted to kiss her again. “’Tis a fact. You almost beat me.”

“Well, I’ll take it. But yes, better than me. It infuriates every local boy when she kicks their arse.”

Both men chuckled. James tried to imagine a red-haired version of Ainsley flying on the back of a horse. “I’d like to see that.”

He watched Ainsley bristle. “She’s recently married.”

It filled him with a satisfaction he couldn’t name to know that she was jealous too. It wasn’t only him.

“And your other sister?” Callum interrupted. He gave James a glare over Ainsley’s shoulder.

“Emilia. She’s very quiet. Shy. But beautiful inside and out. Men don’t see it, but I do. And some lucky man will soon enough.”

The conversation continued but James remained silent and this time it wasn’t out of respect for Callum. He could hear the love and the pride Ainsley held for her family. He wondered what he might give up in his life to experience that again. He’d only ever really known it with his father.

His uncle bore no love for him or affection. He’d raised him out of duty and James had known he was a burden every day of his life. His mother had dropped him at his uncle’s door when his father had died. She’d wanted to marry a man who had no use for another child, already having four of his own.

He’d nearly forgotten what it was like to be part of a family. He thought he no longer cared. He had the sea, the army, and friends.

But it was more than just Ainsley’s stories, it was her very voice. Something in it called to his own need for love. When she’d spoken his name, it had poked an old wound. Or perhaps a new one. The one that still wished for love. Not lust but true affection.

Not that he didn’t lust after Ainsley. By God, the woman was glorious.

He shook all these thoughts off. He’d marry years from now and not to a little spitfire who would challenge him every step of the way. Because those old wounds, he could not allow them to be opened. If another woman broke his heart he’d be lost forever. It was a chance he couldn’t take.

As they approached the estate, several sheep grazed in one of the outer, unfenced fields.

“That’s strange.” Ainsley kicked her horse faster. James and Callum immediately followed. “Those sheep are Ewan’s. But they should be within the fence.”

“Should we go back and tell them at the house?” Callum asked.

Ainsley shook her head. “We can take care of it. I don’t want to risk losing any of them.” As she approached the sheep, she let out a loud ringing call that trilled in his ears like the whistle of a train.

Then she began to sweep back and forth behind the sheep. As if of one mind, they began to move toward the fences. He and Callum trailed behind. Not having lived in Scotland since he was nine, he’d never done this before. English lords didn’t herd sheep.

Callum was grinning like an idiot, the smile pulling at his scar, which caught the sun. He suspected that if Callum were making of list of attributes his future bride might have, being able to herd sheep was either already on it or about to be added.

As they moved closer to the fence, James could see that the gate was wide open. He also noticed a man racing toward them, his hat in his hand. This was likely the shepherd.

“Oh my lady,” he breathed as she pushed the sheep into the pen. “Thank you so much.”

“Of course, Tully.” She gave him a warm smile. “Is the gate broken?”

The man looked down at the ground. “I don’t think so.” His face twisted. “Me Addy is sick. I’ve just been absentminded with tending her and…” The man’s voice trailed off.

Ainsley looked pained. “Why didn’t I know your wife was sick?”

“I didn’t want to bother anyone. With the baby and all the guests, it didn’t seem right.” He slowly crushed the brim of his hat with his hands.

She swung down off her horse then, and gave the man a pat on the arm. “I’ll see that the doctor visits your cottage. He’ll be back today to visit the baby.”

The man’s eyes lit with gratefulness. “Thank ye, my lady.”

Then he closed the gate and locked it. Ainsley looked back over to them. “Since the groom can’t seem to keep up with us, I am going to need one of you to help me back on this horse.”

Before James could formulate an answer, Callum was swinging down. “My pleasure,” he answered.

That same jealousy bristled along his skin and by the time Callum had placed his hands on her waist, he wanted to knock the other man to the ground.

“I’ve got to find a lumber yard,” he growled and then turned and left.

* * *

Ainsley watched him ride away and wondered why he was suddenly angry. But she gave herself a shake. It didn’t matter, she told herself.

It had been a momentary lapse in judgment to allow him to kiss her and one she would not repeat again.

He was clearly moody. When he wasn’t sharing his past, he’d been silent or sullen. She didn’t know why she thought about him at all.

Except that his lips had been divine and underneath she could sense a hurt that cried out to be mended.

Kicking her horse toward the barn, she told herself to stop. He wasn’t interested in her. He’d made that very clear and she should leave him be. Much as she’d been looking for excitement, he was likely more than she could manage.

Leaving her horse in the stable, she headed for the house with Callum as an escort. A bath and a nap would feel delicious after the afternoon she’d just had.

But as she entered the house, Agnes came bouncing toward her. “I’ve the best news,” she beamed. “For both of us.”

“What is it?” Ainsley’s asked breathlessly, already excited.

“This Friday, we’re going to have a party to celebrate the engagement. All the guests will assemble before the wedding.”

“A party!” Ainsley began bouncing too. “How delightful.” She knew the very dress she would wear. It was the one she hadn’t worn to dinner last night. It was a perfect complement to her skin and the shape showed off all her best assets. She glanced over at Callum, sure that he would think her attractive. Yet somehow, it was James she pictured dancing with.

“I know, isn’t it exciting?” Agnes came up to clasp Ainsley’s hands. The smile that spread across her face, however, dimmed.

“What is it?” Ainsley asked. “What’s wrong?”

Agnes shook her head. “I’ve only just realized that I don’t have a dress to wear for either the party or the wedding. My allowance was spent on sturdier travel clothes.”

Ainsley winced. That was disappointing. It was too late to purchase anything that would actually be suitable, at least for the party. “Perhaps Clarissa has something?”

Agnes nodded. “Of course. That is a good idea.” Then Agnes gave her hands a final squeeze. “But it will be fun, no matter what I wear.”

Ainsley couldn’t quite agree. Looking beautiful was more than half the fun for her. And since Agnes was the guest of honor, everyone would take note of what she was wearing. But she nodded anyway and then, saying her goodbyes, made her way to her room.

But after her bath, she couldn’t sleep. Putting on a dressing gown, she opened her wardrobe to rummage through her dresses. The one she’d worn last night had been carefully hung up, while the one she planned to wear on Friday hung next to it.

She sighed as she looked at it. It was her favorite and she knew that she would shine in it but a little voice told her that what made it perfect for her would make it perfect for Agnes too. Better even, as the blue hues would bring out the color in Agnes’s eyes.

But Ainsley didn’t want to give it up and she closed the doors with a snap and crossed to her bed. Laying on her stomach, she stared at the wall, a little battle in her mind. She wanted to be kind but she also wanted to be the belle of the party.

At some point, she fell asleep but was plagued with dreams and when her maid woke her, she felt more tired than she had before she’d rested.

Donning a simple gown, she made her way down to dinner.

Once again, most of the guests had assembled but she slipped in quietly rather than making an entrance. Still, James’s eyes found her the moment she walked in the room. His gaze was pensive and the sight of him filled her with both excitement and dread. What would he say tonight?

Her eyes cast down and she moved to stand next to her mother. Agnes joined them, as did Clarissa. They chattered about the party and the wedding plans, and Ainsley was content to listen, happy for Agnes.

She felt him before she saw him. James had come up behind her and his nearness was like a touch, sending tingles racing along her skin.

“Lady Ainsley,” his voice rumbled behind her.

Her eyes closed for a moment. She was tired and she didn’t feel strong enough to spar with him just now. “Lord Rotheport.”

The conversation about them silenced as he joined the group. “May I speak with you for a moment?”

Taking a deep breath, she looked up at him. Her wariness must have shown in her expression because surprise lit his. “Would you mind if we talked another time?”

He searched her face, his penetrating gaze seeming to read her deepest thoughts. Clearing his throat, his hand subtly brushed the small of her back. “I only wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I judged far too quickly, which I am often wont to do, and said a great deal more than was appropriate. After spending the day with you today, I can see that I was wrong. You are a woman of kindness and substance.”

Surprise made a blush climb her cheeks, which radiated heat. She was sure everyone could see and feel it. “I don’t know…that is to say…I didn’t expect…thank you.”

He gave her a nod, “You’re welcome.” His hand brushed her back again.

She looked up at him then, there was a softness to his features she hadn’t seen before, they now matched the warmth of his eyes. His compliment, his look filled her with a lightness she had never felt before. It was so much more fulfilling than any compliment she had received about her dress or her hair or her smile.

Instead of answering him, she turned to Agnes. “I was thinking about the party. I have the perfect dress for you to wear.”

Agnes beamed at her and James’s fingers brushed up her back to touch a loose strand of her hair. And then he was gone.

The loss of his heat next to her made her shiver. How strange that she wanted to be close to him, touch him. Not only did it make her ache with longing but it was comforting in a way she didn’t understand.

He didn’t speak to her the rest of dinner, and she was content to sit back and listen more than talk. But when she went to bed that night, she fell into a dreamless sleep.