“Very impressive, Bridget. But still foolhardy.”
She patted her horse’s neck and snorted a very unladylike sound that caused him to smile. “On my father’s estate I used to take jumps riding bareback.”
He felt his face pale at her confession. “Your father allowed you to ride that way?”
“He didn’t know. Our stable master taught me to ride and used to look the other way when I would jump on my horse without a saddle.” She sighed and looked out at the grounds. “I do miss Scotland.”
They picked up a trot again and headed toward the village, tucked away in a valley, looking peaceful and serene.
“Isn’t that lovely?” Bridget turned to him, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling with happiness. Ignoring the scene in front of them, he instead watched her, trying very hard to keep his eyes on her face and not travel down to her bouncing breasts and glorious legs.
“Indeed, it is.”
“But ’tis not Scotland.” There was definite sadness in her tone, and her expression changed.
“Do you miss it so very much?” He hated the desolate look on her face and tried to understand. He’d never thought about being uprooted from his home and deposited in another country. Of course she would miss her homeland. Watching her touched him in a place he’d kept well-hidden for years. He wasn’t even sure if there was a word for it and didn’t want to examine it too much, anyway.
They continued their ride and after about ten minutes, they turned the horses and headed back. “Let’s take the wall again,” Bridget said.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. You were lucky the first time.”
“Lucky? I just told you how experienced I am at jumping.”
He immediately regretted his words. The worst way to discourage Bridget from doing anything was to allude to a lack of skill.
Without another word, she threw him a pointed look and barreled toward the wall, taking the horse over with grace, then flying off the saddle, into the air, as the horse landed.
“Bridget!” Cam raced to where she had fallen and jumped from his horse. He went down on one knee next to her, his heart thumping. “Are you well?”
The annoying chit was holding her middle, rolling on the ground, and laughing.
Laughing!
His heart had traveled to his throat when he saw her sail through the air. He stood and bent to pull her up by her forearms, right into his face. “You little fool. You could have been killed.”
He shook her, the smile still on her face, her breath coming in gasps, her eyes snapping with humor and life. Before he gave a thought to what he was doing, he crushed her against his chest and covered her mouth with his.
Chapter Eleven
Stunned, Bridget placed her hands on Cam’s chest to push him back. Then he touched her lips with his warm tongue, and she gripped his jacket instead, pulling him closer. His arms surrounded her, as she opened her mouth and allowed him entry.
The entire world around them disappeared as she felt only the touch of his body against hers, the scent of his soap, and the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. He slanted his head to take the kiss deeper, and she was quite sure she moaned. Or someone moaned.
She touched the tip of his tongue with hers, and his hands moved to her lower back, then her bottom, pulling her against something very hard and unfamiliar. Her breasts were smashed against his chest, and her lungs struggled to breathe.
Just when she thought she would swoon from the lack of air, Cam pulled away and cupped her face with his hands, leaning his forehead against hers. It seemed, between the two of them, there wasn’t one lungful of air to be had. He closed his eyes and whispered, “I have no idea why I did that.”
Her stomach plummeted, and she tightened her fists on his jacket. Had he not enjoyed it as much as she? “Please don’t say you’re sorry.”
Cam smiled. “No. Not at all sorry, but certainly surprised.” He pulled back and studied her, as if searching for something. Their breathing had returned to normal, and a slight awkwardness set in as she dropped her arms and stepped back, then winced.
“Are you injured?”
“I didn’t think so, but apparently I am. My back is sore, as is my…” Goodness, she certainly couldn’t tell him her bum was hurting like the devil.
“You took quite a fall. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re sore for a few days.” He took her by the elbow. “Come, let us return to the house and break our fast.”
She took one step and stumbled. Her legs felt weak, and her foot hurt. “I think I must have landed on my foot.”