"What are you are doing?" Claire hissed at the dark-eyed devil who propped his head on folded arms and lay on the floor in front of her door staring at the ceiling.

The shadows of weariness under his eyes did little to detract from his good looks. Her stomach tumbled when his eyes met hers and she cursed at her foolish actions earlier.

His deep sigh made her want to kick him. "I attempt to go to sleep. Would you please do the same?"

That voice... deep but smooth as the waters at the nearby loch. Claire sniffed and turned away. "Fine, sleep there if you wish. I may not run away tonight, but trust me sooner or later, I will." She sat on her bed and wondered at the tingle of guilt that because of her actions, the man was forced to sleep on the cold, hard floor. "I can summon a maid to remain here. You may go to your chambers."

"Go. To. Sleep."

Two days later, Claire adjusted her sore bottom on the horse. Why had she asked to ride astride? They'd been on the road for less than a day and already the bruising of her backside brought her close to tears. Her plan to escape at the first opportunity may well be waylaid by her own arse.

From the corner of her eye she stole a glance at Lachlan, who rode beside her. He'd had one of his men posted outside her door after sleeping on the floor the first night. Today in spite of traveling, the man looked well rested and refreshed.

Prepared to spar with him again the last morning at home, she'd been disappointed to wake to find him gone, and another of the McDougalls outside her door.

She'd not seen him for an entire day as she and Moira had spent the time packing and preparing for her travel. That morning he appeared at breakfast with damp freshly washed hair. Now his light hair shined like spun gold in the sunlight. She examined his profile again. Elegant straight nose and well-formed lips, that immediately brought back thoughts of their kiss. To avoid the thought any longer, she moved on to his strong jawline. If ever there were a handsome devil, it was Lachlan McDougall.

"We will stop in a few hours to set up camp. Are ye well, Lady Claire?" He did not turn to her while he spoke, instead kept his gaze forward.

Biting her lip to keep from begging to stop now, she nodded. "Quite well."

Brows lifted, he looked over and smiled. "Would you like to take the horses for a trot?"

"Of course not," she snapped. Had he noticed her discomfort? "If I trot, it will be not with you, but away from."

Several hours later, the tightness of her muscles and bottom reached unbearable and Claire attempted to muffle a whimper when her horse bounced her.

Lachlan finally called everyone to a stop and turned off the path toward a clearing. "We will camp here for the night." He moved closer to the men and they began discussing guard duties.

Claire attempted to lift her leg to dismount, but found herself too numb to move. She turned to the wagon and caught sight of her maid's head poking out. She waved the girl over. "Maggie, help me down, I fear I may never be able to walk again."

The short girl rushed over and shoved at her leg, "I cannot reach higher, Lady Claire," Maggie told her jumping and pushing at her now throbbing leg.

"I'll have to push myself off," I suppose. She lay forward on the horse and attempted to dismount. Instead of sitting, she ended up with both legs up behind her, on her stomach on the horse’s back in a most unladylike position.

Strong hands wrapped around her waist and lowered her to the ground where she collapsed in a heap. Lachlan then took her under the arms and attempted to stand her. Her legs crumpled once again.

"Blast it, woman, why didn't you say anything?" He lifted her and carried her to sit on soft grass. "Ye'll be sore for days."

A tear escaped at the painful tingling traveling up her legs and bottom. He squatted in front of her and brushed it away. "Don't cry, Claire. It may help if you dip your bottom half in the cool stream water." The warrior actually seemed worried about her state. "You should have said something."

She sniffed and wiped at her face with the edge of her sleeve. "Will you help me get to the water's edge, please?"

"Aye," he motioned for the maid. "Bring a change of clothing for your mistress." Maggie scurried off to the wagon and once again Lachlan picked her up.

It was shocking how easily he carried her. With a firm expression and eyes straight ahead, he stalked to the nearby creek. If it were not for the pain, she would admit to liking the experience of being held by a striking man.

Hours later, Claire felt much better indeed. She ate the warmed mutton they'd brought along and watched the McDougall guards move away to where they'd spend the night. It was easy to see they formed a circle around where she and Maggie would sleep. She wondered if it was more to keep her from escaping or as protection. Maggie went to set up bedding for them in the back of the wagon, while she paced back and fourth, no plan of escape formulating. If she rode in the back of the wagon, it would be harder to get away. On foot, the men on horseback could easily catch up.

It was a nice night out, the sun barely setting. Claire removed the pinnings from her hair and allowed the auburn waves to fall past her shoulders. She stretched like a cat appreciating the fact that she could finally move freely after all the hours on horseback.

Lachlan neared and Claire looked up just in time to catch his heated gaze before he quickly shifted to look away. When he looked at her again, his eyes were flat and emotionless prodding her to wonder if she'd imagined the earlier regard.

It still perplexed her that he was a McDougall, so different in coloring than his brother. He had the McDougall build, wide shouldered and tall. And also, had the same intense personality that she'd grown to dislike.

Pompous the whole lot of them. Used to women immediately at their beck and call because of their fair faces.

An idea struck. Perhaps the answer on how to avoid marriage to the awful McDougall stood before her.

"I have never slept outdoors," she allowed her voice to quiver. "I am afraid to sleep so far away from you. Can I sleep here on your pallet?" She ran her hand over the bedding he'd put down just minutes earlier.

Lachlan's eyes widened, moved to her lips, and then away. "Nay."

"Why? It will be easier for you to ensure I do not run away."

"Claire." The huskiness in his voice made it hard for her to keep the façade of a terrified maid.

"Yes?"

"Why do you resist marrying my brother so? He is a good and fair man."

"I prefer to choose who I marry. Besides he is not the type of man I prefer. A wife should be attracted to her husband." A deep chuckle made her frown at him.

He moved closer and lowered to sit next to her. The urge to touch him was strong. Her reaction to him was perplexing. How could she feel any type of attraction for a McDougall? It didn't help matters that she could feel the heat of his body permeating at his proximity.

Seemingly oblivious to her reaction of his nearness, he continued speaking. "What do you know of such things? Ye are a maid and perhaps nervous at the prospect of joining with a man. I assure you all will be well once you marry."

"Bah!" Claire gave up the pretense. "I am no maid." She gasped at her outburst and went to stand, but he held her arm and yanked her back to sit.

"You've been with a man before?"

She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. "At the harvest festivities. All the single clanswomen get to pick a lad to steal away with, as you know. Of course it has always been different for my sister and me. No man dare touch the laird's daughters for fear. Last year, I chose a lad and took him."

Lachlan's mouth fell open. "You took him by force?"

"Only at first." Claire leaned forward toward Lachlan and smiled. "He didna resist for long."

His darkened eyes met hers. "You are an unusual woman, Claire McLean." The tone of his voice even, as he studied her for a moment. It was as if he touched her skin when his gaze slid to her mouth. "Under different circumstances..."

Quick for his large size, Lachlan got to his feet. "Your maid is here. Good night. Sleep in the wagon. I will give you privacy, but don't think you will get far if you run." After one last look, he stalked toward the tree line leaving her to stare at his back.