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come to rescue her stepbrother, and though the event hadn’t turned out exactly as she’d envisioned, she’d been successful.
    Fate had seen fit to injure young Edan and she’d sworn to return him to good health. She was needed here, and had the chance to make a difference to someone else’s life.
    ‘Keith,’ William said. ‘You take the lead. Donald, you take charge of the horse pulling Edan. I’ll ride at the rear.’
    He retrieved two bundles from the ground at his feet and added them to the supplies on the horse that would drag his brother – a brown horse that for some reason appeared familiar to Lynelle. His task complete, he threw one last command over his shoulder. ‘Donald, help the healer mount.’
    ‘Come, lass. I’ll get you into your saddle,’ Donald said as he approached.
    ‘But...but I don’t ride.’
    ‘Ever?’
    ‘Ever,’ she said, shaking her head.
    Donald scratched at his whiskered chin and then rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. ‘Will,’ he called. ‘We have a wee problem.’
    Will stood beside the largest of the four horses. His gleaming sword posed a brilliant contrast to the jet-black beast it was strapped to. ‘What is it?’ he said, stroking the steed’s long, thick neck.
    ‘Ah, the lass...doesn’t ride.’
    The laird’s head jerked up and Lynelle witnessed the thinning of his usually generous lips. ‘Come.’ He gestured her forward with his fingers, and then drew his sword. Her steps faltered. She relaxed as he sheathed his blade in the harness he wore on his back. ‘It’s past time we were gone.’
    Lynelle halted before him and noticed the hue of his eyes change from pewter to pale silver as he said, ‘You’ll ride with me.’
    ‘I can walk.’
    ‘You’ll ride with me.’ His harsh tone brooked no further argument.
    Large, warm hands spanned her waist, branding her flesh beneath her numerous layers of clothing. She gasped as he lifted her high in the air and set her atop his horse.
    With her legs spread wide to accommodate the width of the massive beast, her skirt and cape rode high on her thighs, exposing her bare legs. She wanted to draw her garments down and cover herself, but she sat unmoving, clutching the front of the saddle for dear life.
    Suddenly, the world tilted to one side and then righted itself as William mounted and sat flush against her back. Powerful legs wrapped about her own and daring to move only her eyes, she peered down at the dark hairs covering his lower thighs.
    Heat flashed into her cheeks.
    ‘Ready?’ His voice rumbled through her back.
    ‘God speed,’ someone shouted from the vicinity of the keep.
    ‘Farewell, Lachlan,’ William called.
    ‘Iona sends her best,’ the Elliot laird yelled and then laughed.
    ‘Always the jester,’ Kirkpatrick mumbled.
    Lynelle stiffened further as the body behind her pressed closer. Strong arms circled her, as he reached for the reins. Her heart drummed and her breaths came short and fast.
    The enormous beast started forward, heading for the now open gates. The rest of their small travelling party passed through the opening, leaving Lynelle and William to bring up the rear.
    Saint Jude, save me .
    Just when Fate finally granted her a purpose by providing someone she could aid with her healing knowledge, it threw up more hurdles. If she didn’t tumble to her death from so great a height, she feared she’d burst into flames from William Kirkpatrick’s masculine heat.

Chapter 5
    WILLIAM stretched his aching neck and peered up at the sun as it crawled ever higher in the clear blue sky. Its mellow heat announced an end to bitter-cold winter days and offered a hint at the warmth to come.
    He looked away, his eyes adjusting and settling on his brother’s face. The lad slept on as he had for most of the morning, lulled by the sway of the litter and the constant clopping of unshod hooves.
    Donald rode beside the laden horse, leading-rein in hand, as he held them at a steady pace and searched