Page 129 of The Laird's Masked Passion

He could not let it go. “At night.Alone.”

“I aminsidethe castle walls.”

“Robert’s men have entered guarded passages.”

Elspeth’s mouth tightened, but she did not answer sharply. Instead, she stepped closer. “I didnae mean tae worry ye.”

The simple admission softened something in him against his will. Colin exhaled and looked away.

“Ye did though.”

“I am sorry.”

He stared at her. Elspeth Fraser apologized so rarely that each occasion ought perhaps to be recorded by a priest and witnessed by the Crown.

“I couldnae sleep,” she explained. “The hall was too heavy with grief, and our chamber felt close. But I didnae leave the walls. I thought that would please ye.”

“It pleases me considerably less than finding ye in bed would have done.”

Her cheeks warmed. “A most romantic declaration.”

He grinned, realizing the double entendre. “I am kent fer them.”

Elspeth smiled and turned back toward the night. Colin stood beside her. Above the courtyard, the sky stretched black and clear, crowded with stars. The horses shifted softly in their stalls, filling the stable with the warm smells of hay, leather, and animal breath. For several moments, neither spoke. Then voices sounded beyond the row of stalls. Elspeth went still.

A young woman laughed softly. Colin recognized the stable boy’s answering whisper, followed by the rustle of skirts and a muffled protest containing very little conviction.

Elspeth covered her mouth. Colin looked at her.

“What?” he mouthed.

“Naething.”

Her face had become remarkably red. Understanding came slowly, then all at once.

“This is the pair ye saw before.”

She glared at him. “Lower yer voice.”

A kiss sounded from behind the partition. Elspeth’s flush deepened. Colin bent near her ear.

“Daes it affect ye the same way now?” he teased.

“Nay.”

The answer came far too quickly. His mouth curved. He placed one hand at her waist beneath the cloak, drawing her back against his chest. She stiffened when his lips brushed the curve below her ear.

“Colin,” she whispered.

“Aye?”

“They are near.”

“I noticed.”

His hand moved slowly over the fabric at her waist, no more than a teasing caress. Elspeth drew in a careful breath. Colin feltthe response move through her despite every attempt she made to conceal it.

“Liar,” he murmured. She turned her head enough to glare at him. “Ye are intolerable.”