The Highland Wife

       Heading toward the camp his men had established over a week ago in the hills of MacKenzie lands, Clancy MacDonell had his first chance to really study the unconscious girl in his arms. He had seen her several times in the past fourteen years, but those occasions had been few and always at a great distance.
       He knew she was a tall woman, she could probably look the average man straight in the eye. But what surprised him was her strength and bravery. All this time he had thought she was playing at being the Highland warrior. He now realized she truly was one. The MacKenzie must be proud to have such a daughter. Clancy was going to count on that pride to make the revenge all the sweeter.
       Her hair was long and silky against his arm, a soft, warm brown with golden highlights kissed by the sun. The male in him was glad she had decided to grow her hair long again instead of keeping it short as she had done as a child.
       Her scent was fresh and clean. Apparently she was not afraid of bathing like so many others were. Since they were going to be physically close, he was glad of that. He leaned forward and breathed deeply again. No female perfumes anointed her skin, just the pure scent of woman.
       Her skin had a healthy glow from hours spent in the sun, freckles sprinkling the bridge of her nose. Fine arched brows curved over closed eyes that he remembered were a mossy shade of green.
       His eyes skimmed down past the loose man's shirt and the MacKenzie tartan she wore. Only the flesh of her knees showed between the material of the plaid and the wool stockings laced to her calves. He glanced at her closed eyes before reaching out his free hand and placing it on her leg. A smooth, round woman's knee met his touch.
       Of all the women he had bedded in the past, had he ever actually noticed their knees? He thought back, but couldn't be sure. The skin was smooth and soft, no longer covered with the scabs of childhood.
       Aye, even though she was the enemy, Lass MacKenzie had grown into a fine looking woman. He would have no difficulty in bedding her, Clancy thought to himself. No difficulty at all.

© 2001 Lori Dillon