“Yes, but you can assist in the luck bit of it, can you not?”
“No,” Finlay answered frostily, “We cannot.”
“I think he means stalking,” Rory said in Adam’s ear from his other side. “You know, herding all the animals in toward them so they have ample game to shoot?”
“I know what he is referring to,” Adam said to Rory through gritted teeth so the abominable man couldn’t hear. “We just don’t agree with it, which ye well know. Hunting is a sport between man and beast. It’s cheating to tip the scales in favor of one over the other.”
“Well, they did pay for it—”
“No,” Adam said, shaking his head. They had discussed this before, when previous groups had visited and requested the same. Finlay and Kyla had been adamant that it would never be done on their land, and Adam agreed with them.
The man wasn’t pleased, but Rory soon placated him.
“Not to worry, Trenton,” he said. “There is plenty of game in these woodlands, and your men will be well pleased, as many have been before you. You shall see in due time.”
“There had better be,” he said with a sideways glare. “It was what I was promised when deciding to come up here. If not for the game, there is not much draw to this land, you do know that?”
They didn’t respond and the man reined in his horse to join his acquaintances behind them. As Adam turned to watch him go, he caught a glimpse of color in the back of the group of about ten men riding with them. It was an unusual color for a gentleman’s cloak, a blue that blended with the sky behind. He eased back from his family to get a better look and cursed when he saw the face of the wearer.
“I’ll be right back,” he said to them. “Continue on.”
“What’s wrong?” Finlay asked, concerned.
“It’s the girl,” he responded. “It seems she has joined us. I’ll not have her cause danger for the group, nor for herself. I’ll accompany her back to Darfield and meet you at the outskirts of the woods.”
“She can stay,” Kyla argued. “For what reason should a woman not join? I have accompanied you on many a hunt.”
“’Tis different,” said Adam. “This one’s not like you.”
“And what do you mean by that?” she asked, raising an eyebrow nearly up to the line of her blonde hair.
“I only mean that she’s a delicate kind, not used to any sort of physical exertion. She only just completed the hike yesterday.”
“Yet she managed to bring herself to join us today,” said Kyla with a shrug. “In addition, she’s on horseback. She’ll be fine.”
“I’m not sure,” he hedged, but Kyla gave him a look that told him not to argue with her. He sighed and turned to look behind him. At the very least, the girl was keeping up — so far.
“Fine, but I will have a word with her,” he said.
“Be nice,” she replied.
“Who do you think I am, Finlay?” he said with a wink as he rode away.
Rachel felt exhilaration course through her as her horse caught up with the hunters in front of her. Upon descending the stairs for breakfast that morning, she had seen the men file out of the hall to claim mounts for the hunt. One look below at the women remaining at the table, and the thought of joining them all day for the most dull and dreary conversation filled her with dread. She had decided at the last instant to join in the hunt, and one of the stable hands had helped her find a horse shortly after the rest of them left. True, her horse might not be as strong or as swift as the rest of them, having been one of the last remaining, but it was steady and sure, and she felt they would get along just fine.
She did have to admit that her body was stiff and sore from the physical exertion the day before, which she was quite unused to. And yet, it made her feel like she had accomplished something, had actually put herself to some use, even if it was simply exploring. If there was anything that really smarted and had kept her awake the night before, it was the shame that filled her thinking of the words her father and his acquaintances had spoken regarding the Highlanders. What must they think of them? she thought. It certainly brought a bad name to the English, and she was determined to do all she could to make amends.
When her horse joined the hunting party, she tried to remain as far behind as possible, out of sight from her father, from Vincent, and from the McDougall Highlander who had shown such disdain for them the day before. She did not want to be discovered until they were well away from the keep, too far away for her to be sent back.
Despite her concern at being caught, she was amazed by the landscapes that surrounded her. She had been awestruck by the views yesterday on their hike, and today was no different. The beauty of the rolling green hills was apparent, and she was fascinated by how the landscape changed as they rode, from the cliffs near the lake to the green of the woodland they were fast approaching.
The day was hot once again, but they had left early enough that they would be well shaded by the trees once the sun reached its peak.
So intent was she on her surroundings that she gave out a squeal of surprise when she heard a voice suddenly in her ear.
“What do you think you are doing?” the deep, steady voice asked her, and she turned to find her eyes met by the dark stare of the man from yesterday — Adam, as she recalled.
“I am joining the hunt,” she said,
