Winning the Highlander's Heart by Terry Spear Page B

is a hunting lodge,” Dougald said as they drew close, “but ‘tis occupied with more of the king’s men as they are on their way to Arundel to meet with him on the morrow.  We will have to use the byre.”
    Malcolm helped Anice down from her horse.  “The lady said she has had poorer accommodations than this.”
    Disbelief flittered across Dougald’s face.  She patted his arm.  “’Tis true.  I was an unruly child and once ran away from Brecken and hid in a cave.”
    She headed for the byre.
    The three brothers burst out laughing.
    Mai groaned as one of them helped her from her horse.  “Aye, she was always a stubborn lass.  The one who wives her will have to be verra brave.”
    More laughter ensued and Anice smiled to herself.  ‘Twas true.  She crossed the hard-packed clay floor littered with straw to the ladder leading to the loft.  The farmer’s sheep slept in the corral while the weather was mild and the byre had been swept clean.
    “Is there enough room for all of us up there, think you, milady?” Malcolm asked, drawing close, so close his warm breath tickled her cheek.  Her whole body warmed despite the chill in the air, and she wondered if he had the same affect on all women.
    “You and the other gentlemen will have to sleep elsewhere,” Mai said.  “The lady is a maid and cannot sleep with ye.”
    Anice smiled and Malcolm copied her expression.  “Under the circumstances, I think we can allow it for the next few nights, Mai.  Besides you can protect me.”
    Malcolm’s smile broadened, and his brown eyes darkened with a sinful wickedness.  Mayhap she best sleep at one end of the loft with Mai betwixt her and the gentlemen.
    Gunnolf motioned outside.  “I will sleep with the wagon to guard our goods.”
    She wondered if Malcolm’s brothers would choose another place to sleep for the night.
    If Malcolm hoped he’d have the loft with her alone—she shook her head at the notion.  Though, deep inside the idea intrigued her.  She lifted her bliaut and climbed the ladder.  Malcolm grabbed the ladder to steady it.
    “I have to take care of business and shall return, milady.  Will you be all right?”  Mai wrung her hands, no doubt worried what people would think of Anice being alone without a proper chaperone.
    “Aye.  I have three strong Highlanders to protect me.  By the time you return, I shall be asleep, nay doubt.”
    “I will not be gone that long, milady.”  Mai gave Malcolm a rather pointed look.
    “I will see to the horses.”  Dougald headed out of the byre with Mai.
    “I will help him.”  Angus dashed after his brother.
    Anice peered down at Malcolm as she removed her veils and wimple, then began to unwind her braids.
    “I should really look after the horses, too,” Malcolm said.
    “Aye, that you should.”
    “But then you would be alone,” he quickly added.
    She smiled.  “Mai would be mortified.”
    He grabbed the ladder and hurried to the top.
    Anice unplaited the rest of her hair while Malcolm sat bedside her on the straw bed, his gaze fixed on her hair as she separated the woven strands.  She realized how much a woman’s hair fascinated a man.  No wonder women had hidden their hair for the last hundred years.  Only more recently had the women given up the veils.  Yet for travel, she felt more comfortable keeping her hair covered.
    “You act as though you have never seen a woman’s hair unbound before.”
    He reached out to touch it.  “Silky as the tassel of corn and just as golden with touches of fiery red.”  He pressed the lock to his face and breathed in the fragrance.  “Kissed by lavender.”
    “You have a romantic side, milaird.”
    “’Tis you who inspire it.”  He leaned closer and ran his hands through her hair.  “Before your lady-in-waiting returns did you wish to thank me again?”
    “Thank you?”
    “Aye, you said you wished to kiss me.”
    “But my lady should be here with me.”
    He nodded.  “You are