The look on Alexander’s face mingled eagerness and tenderness. Sybella wasn’t sure which dominated. She was without words as he lightly brushed his thumb over her jaw and they shared a smile.
“I told ye I was good.” When his eyes rounded, she quickly added, “A good shot.”
He bobbed his head in agreement and then backed away from her. “Come, Wife. I have something to show ye.”
“Nae now, Alexander. I have already seen it,” she said dryly.
He lifted his brow and Sybella followed him into the stables. He searched the stalls and stopped when he found what he was looking for. The magnificent creature stood tall, pawing at the ground. And the animal was exactly as she remembered from last eve.
“Dè do bheachd air?” What do you think of him?
Sybella reached out and patted the horse’s muscular neck. “I told ye before. He is a verra fine beast.”
“And he is yours.”
She stared wordlessly, her heart pounding. “Truly? I donna know what to say.”
“Since ye have nay suitable mount, I wanted to give ye one which I know ye can handle. Ye proved that more than enough last eve with Aunt Iseabail, lass. I only ask that ye have an escort when ye ride. Do we have an understanding?”
Between the roses this morn and now the shock of his generous gift, words wedged in Sybella’s throat. The MacDonell was actually a thoughtful and caring man. But she wished he’d stop doing things like this. Her feelings were becoming confused.
Sybella walked toward him and smiled. “Aye, of course.” Standing on the tips of her toes, she brushed a soft kiss on his cheek. “He is a magnificent horse. I truly thank ye for your kindness, Alexander.”
“Then grant me a boon.”
She froze. That’s what had gotten her into trouble with him in the first place. Why deals were never made in her favor was beyond her comprehension. She did not like this, but against her better judgment, she nodded in agreement.
“Please call me ‘Husband’ or ‘Alex.’ Surely ’tisnae that difficult for ye.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Sybella smiled. “I suppose I could call ye that.”
“And I will call ye Ella.”
She didn’t know what to say. Colin was the only person who called her Ella. He’d been calling her that since she was a wee bairn. It was his own special name for her, and to be truthful, she wasn’t sure she wanted to share something so personal with the man she was destined to betray. She was perfectly aware that the closer she allowed herself to get to him, the more difficult her task would be. Agreeing to search for the stone had been a lot easier when she believed Alexander was nothing more than a cur. Then again, she still barely knew him. Their only history consisted of the waterfall and their wedding.
As Alex sensed her hesitation, the corner of his mouth curved in exasperation. “Do ye nae permit me to call ye Ella?”
Her voice wavered. “’Tisnae that…I just…Why do ye wish to call me Ella?”
His face lit up with surprise. “Why? I heard your brother say as much to ye. I want ye to feel at home here, Sybella. Glengarry is now your home. I thought to call ye something by which ye are accustomed in order to make ye feel more comfortable here…with me.”
Sybella briefly closed her eyes, feeling like a complete dolt. The man was clearly trying to welcome her and surprising her at every turn. And here she was, acting like an arse. She quickly chastised herself, although she was generally resentful of the entire situation.
“Please accept my apologies. I meant nay disrespect. Ye only caught me unaware since my brother is the only man who calls me Ella. It would please me greatly if ye would call me the same.” She gave Alex a polite smile and his expression lightened.
“How about we saddle our mounts and take our leave for a wee hunt?”
“That would be delightful. I would wish to change first.” As she turned on her heel, her husband spoke.
“Ella.”
She turned around and raised her brow.
“The name suits ye.”
Smiling at Alexander’s compliment, Sybella sought her chamber and changed her gown. Her father would be proud. In a matter of days, she was able to see a subtle difference in her husband’s behavior toward her.
He was starting to trust her.
When she returned to the stables, the horses were already saddled. The animals whipped the reins with their muscular heads and pawed at the ground. Sybella approached the new gift her husband had bestowed upon her and shook her finger at the prize horseflesh.
“I am only going to say this once. We can do this the hard way or the easy way. Ye obey me and we will get along fine. If ye donna, trouble will find ye and there will be nay special treats.”
A warm voice came up behind her. “Do ye think that really works?” asked Alexander, his mouth twitching with amusement.
She shrugged. “It doesnae matter. It makes me feel better.”
“Are ye ready?”
She raised her brow. “Are ye?”
“Are ye going to spar with me if I offer to assist ye onto your mount?” he asked.
“If it makes ye feel better, I will let ye assist me.” Alexander paused and then lifted her onto her horse. “Thank ye…Alex.”
His smile was boyishly affectionate and he patted her thigh. He turned and mounted his horse, giving her a brief nod when he was ready. They left the bailey and followed the same path she had traveled on her way to Glengarry.
Sybella turned in the saddle and looked over her shoulder. “The first time I saw your home, I thought the view was quite impressive.”
“I am pleased Glengarry suits ye, lass. Ye can be comforted that ’tis now your home as well.” His smile broadened in approval.
Alex turned his mount from the main path and entered the woods. The rays of the sun were immediately blocked by the tall pines and foliage. Sybella loved the smell of fresh pine. Unfortunately, her nose did not.
When she let out a loud sneeze, her mount took off in a startled rush through the forest. The frightened beast scraped her leg on a tree trunk as she pulled back on the reins and spoke in soothing tones, trying to calm her skittish horse.
Her husband rode up beside her. “Are ye all right?”
Refusing to rub her bruised leg, she forced her head high. “I am fine. I see the look in your eyes. It was only a sneeze. I can control him.”
He guided his mount back onto the trail. “I didnae say anything.”
“Ye didnae have to,” she said under her breath.
They traveled deeper into the wooded land and Alex stopped his mount. “We will try to hunt here. I have had much luck in the past.” He dismounted and raised a brow when he turned around to assist her.
Sybella’s feet were already planted on the ground. “We are away from prying eyes, my laird. There is nay need for such propriety.”
He shook his head and tethered their mounts to a tree. They grabbed their bows from the side of the saddles and walked a few yards into the forest. Careful not to disturb the area, they continued stealthily into the brush.
Nothing moved.
Alex gestured with his bow that he would widen the distance they hunted and moved quietly to Sybella’s far right. As she had practiced so many times with Colin, the hope was that he would encircle any small animals and flush them out toward her. She waited patiently for something to cross her path. To be truthful, she wanted to prove to her husband that she could hunt as well as any man.
Sybella glanced around and could no longer see Alex through the trees. Taking advantage of a moment to herself, she bent down and partially lifted her day dress. She spotted a trace of blood from the scrape on her leg. Damn. Leaning her bow against a tree, she licked her thumb and was bending down to wipe the blood when something whizzed over her head.