Page 47 of The Laird's Masked Passion

“I thought ye smarter than this.”

The words landed. He saw them strike because her chin lifted half an inch, and her eyes went cold in a way that had nothing to do with him and everything to do with wounds made before he knew her.

“I see,” she said softly.

Colin’s jaw tightened. He meant to frighten sense into her, not wound her. There was a difference, though he was learning he had a poor grasp of it where she was concerned.

“Ye shouldnae be alone.”

“And ye shouldnae use me as a wall upon which tae throw whatever black mood ye brought home.”

“This isnae mood. This is danger.”

“Nay,” she corrected, taking one step toward him. “Danger is outside the walls, if I understand ye correctly. This is temper.”

“Elspeth—”

“Dinnae speak tae me as though I am a foolish child because ye failed tae catch whoever made ye angry.”

He moved closer. “Men entered me land. They slit the throat of one of me guards and vanished. I dinnae yet ken whether they remain hidden nearby or have gone. And ye wandered tae theone place in this castle where a person might come upon ye before anyone heard ye scream.”

She stared at him, and for a moment he thought he had finally reached her fear. Then, she smiled. It was not a comforting sight.

“Is that what worries ye, husband?” she asked. “That I might be unsafe? Perhaps if ye had warned me before leaving, I would nae have wandered out here.”

He should have heard the warning in her tone. Hedidhear it. He simply did not expect what came next.

Elspeth stepped past him as if turning away in offended dignity. Colin allowed it because he was a fool for exactly one heartbeat. In the next, he felt the whisper of movement behind him and the unmistakable touch of a small blade placed with alarming precision at the most vulnerable part of his future. He went very still.

Elspeth’s voice came from behind his shoulder, bright with satisfaction. “I am safe enough.”

Colin looked down without moving his head. The point of her little dirk rested where no man wished a blade to rest.

“Elspeth.”

“Aye?”

“Move that.”

“I thought ye wanted proof of me sense.”

“This isnae sense.”

“This is a demonstration.”

“It is a threat.”

“Only if ye make sudden movements.”

Despite himself, despite the ridge and the blood and the dark fury twisting through him, he almost wanted to laugh out loud. Again. What was it with her?

He kept his voice calm. “Where did ye learn tae hold a blade?”

“Wouldnae ye like tae ken.”

“I would, aye.”

“Then perhaps ye should ask politely rather than accusing me of stupidity in a garden.”