Highland Fire by Veronica Sattler

Author:Veronica Sattler [Sattler, Veronica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780312929831
Google: fnikNQAACAAJ
Publisher: St Martins Press
Published: 1993-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

They learned, as they prepared to leave the cave, that Jacques had made it back to the croft after the storm broke, when he ran into Robbie MacTavish. Apparently MacTavish had been in the cave when the hounds sought shelter there. Realizing he might be of help to the new master they'd deserted, Robbie had ordered the hounds to stay, then taken his pony to rescue Jacques, whom he'd heard calling the pups. Assuring the Frenchman the hounds would be safe, he'd taken him, riding double, back to the croft.

"But where is Mr. MacTavish now?" Christmas questioned as she eyed the Highlander's pony, which Jacques was preparing to mount.

"Oh, that one!" Jacques complained as the three of them started back toward the croft. "I tell you, I 'ave not figured him out. Just when I think I know him for the cheating canaille, he behaves honorably and with complete courtesy."

"These Highlanders are not without a code of honor," Jamie put in. "In fact, they have a rather stringent ope."

A snort of disbelief from Jacques punctuated the rhythm of the ponies' hooves.

Jamie, grinned. "Of course they do sometimes appear to have a separate set of standards for those outside the clan . . ."

Another snort, this time accompanied by a contemptuous Gallic imprecation.

"And that isn't to say," Jamie went on, "that they haven't a reputation for, ah, shrewdness in business, even—"

"Shrewdness!" Beaumonde exploded. "That rogue—"

Jamie's laughter cut him off. "Come now, my friend," he added with a wink for Christmas, who rode between them and was following this banter with a grin, "you cannot claim to be unacquainted with rogues yourself. In fact, I thought you once enjoyed quite an affinity for them."

"Bah!" Jacques exclaimed. But his dark eyes twinkled, and a roguish grin quickly followed.

"But you still haven't told us how you wound up with the man's pony," Christmas reminded him.

"Ah," Jacques began, "you would not believe it! After we reach ze croft and learn only Mary is there—that you two 'ave gone to search for me and ze hounds—alors, that crazy Scot!— He leaves us ze pony and says he wishes to walk to ze village—in ze storm!—and off he goes!" He finished with a shrug that said he'd never understand such behavior.

"Hmm," Jamie mused, "so he left you and Maire to wait out the storm together, snug and warm, at the croft?" He eyed his friend archly.

Christmas thought she saw Jacques flush a deeper color under his tan before he replied.

"Oui, but—"

Jamie was grinning again as he cut him off. "Perhaps, Beaumonde, instead of 'rogue,' you ought to be naming him the 'Celtic Cupid'!"

The Frenchman colored for certain this time and cloaked his reaction with a theatrical cough. But Christmas sent Jamie a quelling glance. She deemed it the height of temerity for him to be teasing and insinuating about the possibility of an intimate interlude between Jacques and Maire when it was just such a private matter they were trying to conceal from Jacques!

Seeking to divert the conversation, Christmas ignored Jamie's grin and addressed the Frenchman.

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