Beyond a Doubt

chapter Three




The broad back of the man before her drew all her attention. Light brown hair hung in waves down to his neck. His shoulder muscles rippled and his arm muscles flexed. Lucille gulped.

In the beginning, Lucille had had no intention of asking the Scotsman for help. But truth be told, she was a woman alone and in need of help in more ways than one.

She stretched her legs to their full length in an effort to keep up with the large Scot. Huffing and puffing, she struggled. Without warning, the man turned, lifted her into his arms and carried her across a small stream of water that ran into the river. When they reached the other side, he gently placed her down without even speaking.

On and on they walked. Lucille found it highly unlikely the man had drifted so far downriver. Perhaps ownership of the horse was a hallucination. Maybe the man was suicidal. What had she gotten herself into?

But around the next bend, a horse waited. The animal neighed at its returning master.

“Aye, there ye are, bonny one.”

Bryce’s affection for the animal was unusual. He stroked its nose while offering words of encouragement. Bryce directed words toward her. “Miss, may I help ye astride?”

“Excuse me?”

“Yer shoes are hardly fittin’ to travel the Scottish countryside. If ye ride upon Emissary we will travel much faster.”

“Oh, yes.”

He interwove his fingers and placed his cupped hands beside the horse. Lucille fitted a foot snugly inside, thrusting herself upward until she straddled the mare, adjusting the pack poking her in the back. Once she was settled, Bryce grabbed the reins. With Bryce beside her, they walked at a gentle pace going in a northerly direction.

Lucille frowned. “This is the wrong way.”

“Nay, it is not.”

“Yes, it is. I must go south.”

“South?”

“Aye, south.”

“Forgivin’ yer pardon, lass, but my home resides in the nor—“

“But you promised assistance! I’m but a helpless female and I must travel south. It is of the utmost importance.”

Bryce stopped, scratched his head, and pondered. Lucille watched his fleeting emotions in the extraordinary blue of his eyes. Would he help her?

****

Bare-chested and not a day’s walk from home, he was asked by a strange French lass to deviate from his course, away from what he had longed for all this time. The things Bryce had sought most in the last year were being taken away from him in the blink of an eye. What was he to do?

True, Bryce had promised assistance. But that had been before he’d known lending a hand would require him to give up his dream. The lass resting upon his horse was in need. No lady should be traipsing about without escort. Why had the burden fallen upon him? And what was she doing out alone in the first place? Dare he ask?

There were too many questions and not enough answers. With a sigh, Bryce gathered the reins and led the horse in a southerly direction. Night would be upon them soon. He hoped the young lady had a plan.