Judith reached the clearing and then stopped. Iain didn't understand why she was hesitating until he turned and noticed his men had all extended their hands to her. Each was beckoning her forward.
'She's riding with me.'
His voice didn't suggest anyone argue. She thought he was irritated because she'd taken so long to get ready this morning.
She slowly made her way over to his side. 'I did warn you I'd need more time today, so you really don't have anything to frown about.'
He let out a sigh. 'It isn't ladylike to speak to me in that tone,' he explained.
Her eyes widened. 'What tone?'
'Demanding.'
'I wasn't demanding.'
'You really shouldn't argue with me, either.'
She didn't even try to hide her exasperation. Her hands settled on the sides of her hips. 'Iain, I understand that because you're laird, you're used to ordering people around. However-'
She didn't get to finish her explanation. He leaned down, grabbed her around the waist, and lifted her up into his lap. She let out a yelp. He hadn't hurt her, though. Nay, it was his amazing quickness that caught her off guard.
'You and I are going to have to come to some sort of understanding,' he announced in a hard, no nonsense tone of voice.
He turned to his companions. 'Go ahead,' he ordered. 'We'll catch up.'
While he waited until his men had left, she tried to turn in his lap so she would be facing the front. He squeezed her around the waist, a silent message to stay where she was.
She pinched his arm to get him to let up on his hold. He watched his men take their leave, waiting for privacy so he could speak to her without being overheard, but he did let up on his grip. She immediately quit squirming.
She turned to look up at him. He hadn't shaved this morning. He looked a little disheveled and very, very masculine.
Abruptly, he turned his full attention to her. They stared into each other's eyes a long minute. He wondered how in God's name he was ever going to be able to leave her alone once they reached his home. She wondered how he'd come by such a fine, unblemished profile. She turned her attention to his mouth. She couldn't seem to catch her breath. Heaven help her, she really wanted to be kissed.
He wanted to kiss her. He took a deep breath in an effort to control his wayward thoughts. 'Judith, this attraction between us is probably due to the fact that we've been forced to endure each other's company for over a week now. The closeness-'
She took immediate exception to his poor choice of words. 'You feel you've been forced to endure my company?'
He ignored her interruption. 'When we reach the holding, everything will change, of course. There's a specific chain of command, and everyone in the Maitland clan adheres to the same rules.'
'Why?'
'So there won't be chaos.'
He waited for her to nod before continuing. He was trying not to look at her sweet mouth.
'The rule we all follow… or rather, the chain of command, was put aside during this journey for necessity's sake, but once we reach our destination, we will not have such an unstructured relationship.'
He paused again. She assumed he was waiting for her agreement. She dutifully nodded. He looked relieved until she asked, 'Why is that?'
He let out a sigh. 'Because I'm laird.'
'I already knew you were laird,' she replied. 'And I'm certain you're a fine one, too. Still, I do wonder what this talk is about. I believe I mentioned before, I'm not a member of your clan.'
'And I'm certain I explained that while you're a guest on my land, you'll obey the same rules as everyone else.'
She patted his arm. 'You're still worried I'll cause trouble, aren't you?'
He suddenly felt like throttling her.
'I'm really going to try to get along with everyone,' she whispered. 'I won't make any problems.'
He smiled. 'I'm not certain that's possible. As soon as they realize you're English, their minds will be set against you.'
'That isn't fair, is it?'
He wasn't in the mood to argue with her. 'Fairness isn't the issue. I'm simply trying to prepare you. When everyone gets over their initial surprise-'
'Do you mean to tell me no one knows I'm coming?'
'Don't interrupt me when I'm speaking to you,' he commanded.
She patted his arm again. 'I do beg your pardon,' she whispered.
She didn't sound the least bit contrite to him. He let out a sigh. 'Patrick, Frances Catherine, and the council members know you're coming. The others will find out when you get there. Judith, I don't want you to have a difficult… adjustment.'
He was truly worried about her. And trying to hide his concern with a gruff voice and a hard frown. 'You're a very kind man,' she said, her voice husky with emotion.
He acted as though she'd insulted him. 'The hell I am.'
Judith decided then and there she was never going to understand him. She brushed her hair back over her shoulder, let out a sigh, and then said, 'Exactly what are you so concerned about? Do you think they'll find me inferior?'
'Perhaps, at first,' he began. 'But once-'
She interrupted him again. 'That attitude won't bother me. I've been considered inferior before. Nay, it won't bother me at all. My feelings won't be so easily injured. Do quit worrying about me, please.'
He shook his head at her. 'Aye, your feelings will get injured,' he countered, remembering the look on her face when his men hadn't immediately sat down with her to eat her supper that first night. He paused, trying to remember what he wanted to tell her, then said in a near shout, 'Who the hell thinks you're inferior?'
'My mother,' she answered before she thought better of it. 'I'm not in the mood to talk about my family,' she added with a firm nod. 'Shouldn't we get started?'
'Judith, I'm merely trying to tell you that if you should run into any substantial problems, tell Patrick. My brother will find me.'
'Why can't I simply tell you? Why must I involve Frances Catherine's husband?'
'The chain of command-' Her sudden smile stopped him cold. 'Why are you amused?'
She lifted her shoulders in a dainty shrug. 'I'm pleased to know you're concerned about me.'
'How I feel about you has nothing to do with this discussion,' he told her, his voice downright mean. He was being deliberately harsh because he wanted her to understand the importance of what he was telling her. Damn it, he was trying to protect her from hurt. Women had such fragile feelings, if Patrick's comments were to be taken seriously, and he didn't want Judith upset. He wanted her adjustment to be as peaceful as possible, and he knew that if she didn't behave in an appropriate manner, the members of the clan would make her life miserable. Her every movement would be scrutinized. Judith had been correct. The immediate dislike wasn't fair. How like an innocent to think in such terms. Iain was a realist, however, and knew that fair didn't matter. Survival did. He was almost overwhelmed by his need to protect her any way he knew how, and if that meant intimidating her to get her to understand her tenuous position, then by God he would intimidate.
'I really don't care for the way you're frowning at me, Iain. I haven't done anything wrong.'
He closed his eyes in surrender. She couldn't be intimidated. Lord, he felt like laughing. 'Talking to you is an extremely trying experience,' he remarked.
'Because I'm an outsider or because I'm a woman?'
'Both, I suppose,' he answered. 'I haven't had much experience conversing with many women.'
Her eyes widened in disbelief. 'Why not?'
He shrugged. 'It hasn't been necessary,' he explained.
