"A fine idea. We would not want anything to happen, would we?"
Marcus gave his father a recriminating look, then snapped out an order for his stallion to be saddled.
Marcus stopped in front of Michael's cottage, dismounted, and tossed the reins over the post to the right of the porch. He entered the cottage without knocking.
"Back for more, lass?" came Michael's voice from behind the curtain that enclosed the corner bed.
"More of what?" Marcus demanded.
Michael drew back the curtain with a flourish. He met Marcus's gaze and grinned. "Marcus, this is a surprise."
"I imagine so," he said as Michael rose and hobbled toward him.
The old man halted. "Is something wrong?"
"Nay. Where is Elise? She's been gone some time and Cameron is concerned."
"Concerned?" Michael looked puzzled. "I cannot imagine why—" He stopped, his eyes narrowing shrewdly. "Are you sure 'tis not you who is worried?"
Marcus relaxed. "Where is she?"
"Marcus, you've come all this way, and I haven't seen you in an age. Surely, you can spare a civil word? Sit down." He motioned toward the table sitting before the hearth. "Have a drink. Dinna' fash over Elise. She'll return soon."
"Return?" Marcus started. "Where is she?"
Michael sighed and gave him a disgusted look. "Out in the barn with Erin."
Marcus left the cottage, the words with Erin ringing in his head as he strode across the meadow to the barn.
"I want to thank you for all you've done for my father." Erin's voice filtered from the barn as Marcus neared.
"It's nothing," Elise replied.
Marcus paused at the open door. The sound of milk squirting into a pail was followed by a low moo from the heifer.
"Nay," Erin went on, "you lifted his spirits. It's difficult, him out here alone."
"Why hasn't he moved into the village?"
"This land has been worked by our family for generations. He refuses to give it up."
"I can understand—" She cried out in unison with the clang of a hoof against metal.
Marcus shot forward but halted inside the door at seeing Elise on her backside in a puddle of spilt milk, the pail on its side beside her. Erin leaned with his arms over the cow's back, staring down at her.
"Oh, dear." She looked up at Erin. "I haven't quite got the hang of it."
The young warrior came around the cow and squatted beside Elise. "Are you all right?" His voice betrayed the mirth he clearly felt.
"Fine," she replied wryly and extended a hand. "If you please?"
He stood, pulling her to her feet. She twisted in an effort to examine the back of her skirt.
"You have milk in your hair. How did you manage that?"
Elise gave him a dry look and shook out her skirt. "Perhaps I need a dip in the loch."
"Rather cold."
"True, but it would be better than this milk. It's getting late and I doubt I'll return to Brahan Seer tonight."
"Aye," Marcus said. "You will return to Brahan Seer tonight."
Her head snapped in his direction as Erin whirled. "Marcus, what is amiss?"
Marcus looked at Elise. "I am here to take Elise home."
"Take her home?" Erin echoed.
"Aye. It's late, and Cameron was growing concerned." Marcus wondered at his rapidly increasing ability to lie with such ease.
"Of course." Erin faced Elise and bowed. "Thank you for coming. I know my father was pleased to see you."
He stepped back, and Elise turned a calculating eye on Marcus. His body tensed under her scrutiny.
"I am not going anywhere."
"Nay?" he asked, quelling the tightening of his groin at the cool note of confidence.
"My visit here is not finished."
"Nay?" he repeated.
She glanced at the pail laying near her feet and Marcus prepared for a quick retreat.
"No," she answered, and he relaxed upon seeing her turn her attention, albeit reluctantly, from the pail. "It's late and I have no horse," she said. "The trip home on foot after dark is dangerous."
"Aye," Marcus agreed.
Her brow knit in confusion, then her eyes widened. "I will not make another trip with you on your mount."
The statement was made with such force that Marcus nearly laughed.
"I will lend you a mare," Erin offered.
Marcus regarded her and lifted a brow in question.
"I promised Michael dinner."
"Elise," Erin put in, "my father will understand."
She kept her gaze on Marcus. "You may leave. I will find my way home."
His heart beat wildly at the open defiance expressed with such aplomb. He stepped forward and Erin moved to intervene.
"Laird." The young man's voice hit like ice water and Marcus looked at him. "She doesn't know our ways," Erin said.
Marcus relaxed and shifted his gaze to her. "If it pleases her to stay, we shall. But only for dinner."
She gave a snort, then strode past them and out the door.
As the evening wore on, Marcus watched Elise entice them into becoming willing participants in the preparation of the meal.
"You three will not sit idle while I do all the work," she said.
"Lass," Michael protested, "what would poor men such as ourselves know of preparing food?"