"The bet's no’ won ‘til the deed is done," Donald insisted. "Cameron's yet to wed her."
"He will, he will," Jimmy crowed.
Donald snorted. "It's a crazy notion, and Cameron's no' the crazy one here."
Jimmy shook his head. "He gave his word, man, and Cameron never goes back on his word."
The girl followed her sheep, putting as much distance between herself and the men as she could, running swiftly despite the clumsy, man-sized boots. Cameron watched her thoughtfully.
When he'd made his rash statement he had no thought of wedding anyone except a lady born. This bog sprite shepherdess was totally unsuitable.
But he'd never broken his word before. Rashness gave way to serious thought; there might be wives to be had in Inverness—ladies—but how long would it take to get one to wed him? And how much would his uncle squander in the meantime?
Jimmy grabbed him by the shoulder. "Well, Cammie, will ye wed her or no? There's a bet on."
Cameron swore softly under his breath. The girl was young, unmarried and born outside the estate. What difference would it make anyway who he wed? Women were for running the house and birthing babes and any female could do that, surely. Getting control of his inheritance was what counted. Besides, the little he knew of ladies born was that they were a lot of trouble. They expected a man to dance attendance on them, whereas a lass like this, country bred and down-to-earth . . . He looked at her retreating form. Mud dripped off her with every step. Very down-to-earth.
"Aye, I'll wed her," he declared.
"Aha—" Jimmy began, then let out a yell. "She's getting away. Don't worry, Cam, I'll get her back for ye." And without warning he jumped on his horse and galloped after the girl.
"Och, the mad fool," Donald said. "Whatever will the lassie think—"
Cameron leapt on his horse and set off after Jimmy.
The girl, seeing Jimmy bearing down on her, screamed defiance at him and ran faster. Jimmy let out a whoop, as if he was running down a hind.
"Leave her be, Jimmy," Cameron roared.
But Jimmy was almost on the girl and oblivious. With a blood-curdling yell he scooped her up and tossed her over his saddle. She fought and struggled but Jimmy just laughed and smacked her on her muddy backside as he wheeled his horse around and cantered back to Cameron with a triumphant grin.
"I fetched her for ye—yeeeowww!" He broke off with a yell of pain. He stared down at the girl in shock. "She bit me! The wee vixen bit me!"
The wee vixen moved to bite his leg again and Jimmy hastily shoved her off his horse. She dropped lightly to the ground and glanced warily around, preparing to run again.
"There's no need to be a'feared," Cameron said hastily. He dismounted and took a few slow steps toward her, holding up his hands pacifically, saying in a soothing voice, "Nobody here will harm you. My cousin is a wee bit enthusiastic, that's all—"
"He's drunk," the girl said, backing away.
"Maybe, but he meant well," Cameron told her.
She snorted. "Meant well? To kidnap me in broad daylight?"
"Nobody's going to kidnap you," Cameron assured her softly and moved closer. She backed away and glanced at the bog, as if weighing her chances of escaping across it.
"Ye daft wee besom, he wants tae marry you," Jimmy said, still rubbing his leg.
She snorted. "He's drunker than I thought."
It was now or never, Cameron thought. He cleared his throat. "It's true," he said. It came out as a croak.
She made a gesture of disgust. "You're drunk, too.
"I'm not. It's true, I'm offering you marriage." There, it was out. He was officially crazy. But at least he'd get control of his inheritance.
Away on the moors a curlew called, a mournful, other-worldly cry. The wind blew across the bog, carrying the scent of heather and dank, rotting mud.
Chapter Three
