The Highlander's Bride- Chapter 6

Gillian did not know what was worse, being called weak or being called so because she was English. How dare he? And did he even try to apologize. No way, to his gore discredit initially all he had done was simply ignore her disgrace and had but walked away and later when she had demanded audience he had the gall to nudge her and Mary towards the stream to freshen up.

She had never met a man so utterly rude and was he going to be her husband to be? Well, she had news for the man; she would never marry a man who called all her fellow English men and women weak. For all she cared, the man could go and jump in the stream. As if the journey in itself wasn't bad enough that she had to deal with him labelling her of all the people in the big, wide world; weak.

To think of it, she had been relishing his closeness. The nearness making her feel things unwanted by her...till then. She had never thought, never felt such cosy sensations before, the one that went deep and touched her very soul. It had been magical to be burrowed in his warmth with his arms around her, their heart beating in tandem. Just thinking about it made her want to blush.

And then when his lips had descended upon hers, in that one breath, one moment, time had stood still. Then, he had to go and ruin it all by making that heartless comment. She would never understand men and at that moment had no desire to even attempt to make an effort in the said direction. For all she cared, all the men could go jump in the stream giving Iain company. Especially, all the Scotsmen were more than welcome to accomplish that glorious feat.

Gillian huffed and puffed, making Mary frown.

"Is there a problem, Lady Gillian?" Mary questioned Gillian.

Gillian looked at Mary and shook her head," It's just something a man said that has put me out of sorts, Mary. Nothing to worry."

Before Mary could acquiescence, Gillian took a quick step towards her and engulfed her into a warm hug," Mary, please pardon me. I didn't even ask. How foolish of me but how are you feeling now? Was the journey really taxing for you? Are you feeling quite alright? I really don't know how I could forget to inquire about your health," Gillian babbled on," Oh, yes of course, only if Iain had not uttered those foolish words," she took Mary's hands in hers.

Mary swiftly nodded and assured Gillian of her wellbeing, she was more intrigued about the development with respect to Iain. A budding romance was always irresistible for Mary. And one including her very own Lady Gillian, sounded all the more tantalizing.

"What did he say, mi lady?" Mary asked without any restraint. One thing she absolutely loved about being with Gillian was the inherent freedom she possessed to air her views as freely as she deemed appropriate or not.

Gillian took a step back as she leaned upon her heels and animatedly with a wave of hands spoke," I don't know how you will bear it Mary; truly, it is unsuitable for your gentle ears."

Mary's curiosity had been heightened. She couldn't be blamed. After all, hearing something that was totally incongruous caught every woman's wild fancy. "I am sure I will be able to handle it, Lady Gillian." She tried to coax Gillian.

But in vain. Gillian refused to budge. She folded her arms and scowled at nobody in particular," Mary, I wouldn't want to burden you by telling you the heinous insult that...that man said but I can guarantee one thing."

A deflated Mary picked on her skirts," what is that mi lady?"

"That man will pay for it, I won't let him get away, I promise you that. Let's hurry before they come looking for us, "she turned and bent down to wash her face. Looking around she noticed her surroundings perhaps for the first time since they had stopped.

Little had changed by way of topography telling her that they hadn't travelled far from England. The dimming darkness just before the breaking of dawn bringing with it with relative ease, a new hope, a new fervour encased her in its beauty, surrounding her within its tranquillity. Even with Mary along with her, Gillian for the first time felt what is was to be alone, alone with the nature showcasing its wilderness to the hilt, challenging her to drop all pretences, testing her vulnerability; to survive, to accept it as its own. So very different from her life in England where she would have been dozing peacefully in her room, planning about the next ball, sheathed within her parent's protection. Was that truly peace? Or was this...beyond what she could envisage... a call for harmony which could stimulate a person to synchronize with his real self, to discover himself?

Mary coughed, breaking Gillian from her dreamlike stance. She turned to see her trudging towards their camp.

Gillian still in the hold of nature spoke her question aloud," Is this real or was England real?"

"What is it that you want to believe?" Iain stepped forward, standing right in front of her, he faced her.

A warm feeling infused itself within him, looking at Gillian as the new day was about to break, her beauty captured by the struggling rays of light wanting to break free. It was a treat to watch her concentrated face break into a smile. He now knew how she looked angry, sad, happy and above all contemplating.

He knew he enjoyed teasing her, seeing her exaggerated reactions made him believe of an innocence which according to him had ceased to exist. He couldn't understand why the reactions affected him so but they just brought him closer to himself. Made him want to enjoy a bond that to his utter surprise had been formed just few hours back.

He considered himself lucky to be able to see his bride to be during such an hour, an hour when your very soul tried to speak with you. He wanted badly to soak her close to him, kiss her till time stopped to have any meaning.

And needless to say, he was most surprised; to see her confront that hidden truth, it made him want to grasp her tightly in his arms. He had not expected her to be capable enough to harbour such deep thoughts. He spoke of a connection which he till then had not truly visualized. Not everyone could understand the ways of nature; of reality...not everyone could question it. He knew that well enough and felt proud over the fact that his Gillian had tried to scratch that glossy, steel framed surface. Very few people even dared to grasp the real truth. What she would find beneath it would be hers to treasure but that didn't mean he could not help her in her journey of discovering herself.

Gillian looked at him with a smile on her face, noting the stillness around her she couldn't help but whisper," Iain?"

"Gillian?" Iain whispered back.

A shaky sigh escaped her, "How does one know what is the truth?"

"Ask yourself, lass, your mind will never lie," Iain answered," Such is the claim of the mind over these poignant questions that only it can answer them."

Gillian closed her eyes briefly as she thought about what he had said, "So you believe in the ways of listening to your mind not your heart?"

Iain's laugh was short and devoid of humour, if only she knew what he had gone through, how hardened his heart had become, he did not have time to listen to his heart when his entire life depended upon his mind, "Heart simply muddles things."

"Does it?"

"Aye. It makes you loses your sense of purpose."

Gillian nodded understanding what Iain was trying to convey to her. The answer lied in setting your heart free. And Iain had not yet freed his heart. It was tightly bonded by shackles. She vowed to help him find the key to his locked emotions. "I understand, Iain." Gillian smiled.

She took a step forward, took his hand and held it against his heart. In that very moment, words failed him. The touch sent sensations inside him that he wasn't able to decipher. Iain realized Gillian was capable of making him feel things he wasn't certain he had the ability to feel. Gillian could feel her own heartbeats as she laid her hand on top of his over his heart. She wanted to know what was going on in his heart, to make him appreciate the beauty of the emotions that he had hidden inside him. She couldn't fathom what had given her the courage to do just that but something had. Iain seemed to her like her own. A man from whom she just couldn't hide anything.

She wasn't sure why they had met but to her it seemed all destined.

He had to say something to break this moment. Else he wouldn't be able to control and will end up kissing her and that wasn't acceptable to Iain. He had never known to have lost control and now at this moment, he definitely did not intend to start doing just that.

Glancing at her, a wayward curl distracted Iain, the curl rested just against the nape of Gillian's neck as if lounging against her creamy skin, taunting him to touch it and....before Iain could think, could stop himself, his hand lifted on its own taking the curl in his hand. Seeing him so fascinated with one of her curl, his intent eyes surveying her, made Gillian flush, she dropped her eyes to the ground with a shy smile flitting on her lips. For one moment, she thought he would simply tuck it beneath her ear but was surprised when he stood unmoved.

Gillian lifted her eyes to meet his, enraptured by what she saw in them, tenderness- one meant only for her. Keeping his eyes on hers, he bent forward, brought her curl close to his lips and kissed it. Gillian took in a deep breath.

The moment was too affecting for them to ignore, too intimate to be insignificant.

They stood there staring at each other. No body brave enough to break the silence.

Gillian swallowed hard but words failed to come to her. Iain continued looking at her. He smiled as she finally spoke, "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you," He smoothly answered," We should go back to the camp. Gillian, we would only rest for four hours until dawn."

"Oh and then?"

"We move to my holding. We are already late as it is. Let's go."

"Oh yes," Gillian fluttered," before that I would like to make clear one thing."

Iain folded his hands, stood with parted legs, looking like a man in absolute power," Yes, lass."

Gillian narrowed her eyes at him, "I would like to clarify the comment you made."

"Which comment would that be?" Iain asked arrogantly, knowing fully well which comment she was referring to.

Gillian scowled," I am not weak," she punctuated her every word, "Even though I am English."

Iain smiled and winked.

Gillian glared.

"Can we leave now, lass?" Iain asked her conveying to her that he really didn't believe the clarification that she had just issued.

She would show him that she wasn't weak," If we have to sleep I even need to find myself a bed." Gillian hurriedly stated. She was awfully tired.

"Nay, you do not," Iain drawled.

"Why?"

Iain's eyes sparkled mischievously, as one long finger gently tapped her chin," Because you will sleep with me."

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Hi my lovely people,

I hope you love the cozy interaction between Iain and Gillian. Their mushiness, that sweet reluctance really makes me crazy about them. The stubbornness just has a way of heralding the cute feeling right into your very heart. *gushes*

I have to say before I indulge in yet another gush; it's because of you all that I am truly enjoying, loving writing this book. *Hugs tightly* I adore you. *winks*

And do comment, they *points at them* really, really make me smile. Thank you!

Warmest regards,

HIndia150