Highland Honor by Hannah Howell

trot.
    Gisele risked one quick look behind her as they rode away. The riders she had heard were just coming into sight, and there was no mistaking the DeVeau colors. She could not believe they had found her, and began to fear that there was no escaping pursuit—perhaps no escaping death, either.
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    The sun was high in the sky before Nigel allowed them to stop by a small brook. As he watered the horses, Gisele stole a moment of privacy and performed a hasty toilette . She could not recall escape ever being so exhausting, and began to think that Nigel was right. The DeVeaux had not really thought she could elude them for very long, and so had not tried very hard to hunt her down. Now the chase had truly begun. Gisele was not sure she could survive it all the way to Scotland.
    â€œDinnae fret yourself, lass,” Nigel said as Gisele knelt by the brook and refilled their waterskins. “We will shake these dogs off our tail ere the day is o’er.”
    â€œYou sound very certain of that,” she said, as she hung her waterskin over her saddlehorn. “These dogs could easily run me to death.”
    â€œNay, lass, ye are stronger than that.”
    â€œAm I? And, before we begin to ride again, could you tell me how you knew they were near at hand?”
    Nigel shrugged. “Smelled them?”
    â€œI begin to think you have a nose stronger than the best hunting dog in my father’s pack.”
    He laughed softly as he mounted and waited for her to do the same. “I dinnae ken how I knew. At times, I just ken that danger approaches. When challenged, I fear I have no sensible explanation.”
    â€œDo you have visions?” she asked as she nudged her horse to follow his.
    â€œNay, I am nay gifted with the sight. ’Tis as if some unseen hand gives me a wee shake, as if some wee voice whispers to me to take heed. This morning I wasnae listening or watching anything but you,” he said, glancing at her as he spoke and smiling at her blushes, “yet I was suddenly alert to the danger coming our way. I would say that I heard a sound, for I truly thought I did, yet the riders were too far away for anyone to hear. I ken that now.”
    â€œSomeone watches over you.”
    â€œIt would seem so, although I am awed by the loyalty of that unseen ally. I havenae been much worth saving for many a year.”
    Gisele felt a twinge of sympathy for him, then told herself not to be such a fool. He was a grown man. He had chosen his path. She did concede that he deserved some praise for finally seeing how deep he had sunk into the mire. And, although she might not agree with all he had done, she had no trouble in sympathizing with a broken heart.
    â€œIt might be that unseen ally who finally pulled you out of the quagmire you had sunk into,” she suggested.
    â€œAye, it might have been. And, who is to say that, mayhap, saving your bonny head wasnae why he saved mine.”
    She laughed softly and shook her head. “I cannot believe your angel works to save your life just so that you may save my unworthy hide from my enemies.”
    â€œAh, weel, since we are both so unworthy perhaps ’tis an angel who works his wonders out of pity.”
    â€œHow very sad,” Gisele murmured. Then she laughed. “Whatever causes you to be so quick to sense danger, I pray it does not desert you. You are right. The DeVeaux are now most ardent in their pursuit. If something had not warned you of those men approaching we would have been an easy kill.”
    Nigel simply nodded in agreement with that grim truth. She had not reproached him for not keeping a closer watch, but she did not need to. He was doing it himself, thoroughly and passionately. It had been foolish and dangerous to become so completely distracted. He wondered if he already depended too much upon his strange gift, a gift that could desert him as quickly as it had come to him on the day he had been knighted. It had