Page 7 of The Highlander Is All That

“Have you recovered from your journey?” she asked politely.

“Aye. A walk in the garden has helped immensely.”

“I can imagine. Traveling can be so dull.”

“Have you traveled much?”

“A bit here and there. Brighton, on holiday. York, for a house party. We went to Scotland once, but I was young.”

“Ah.” That caught his attention. “How did you like it?”

“Oh.” Her face transformed to one of rapt excitement. An expression that grabbed him by the solar plexus and tugged. “I absolutely loved it.”

“Did you?” How . . . intriguing.

“It was so beautiful and wild. The people were lovely and the food was delicious.”

“Even haggis?”

Her adorable nose curled a little. “It has its . . . charms.”

He had to laugh. Her lie was so blatant.

“I would love to go back sometime.” He appreciated the wistful note in her tone.

“I miss it already.”

“I can imagine you do.” She sighed. “It must have been difficult to put your life on hold to come here and help us.”

“The duke insisted.” He regretted his words immediately, as she flinched. “However, I’m certain we shall enjoy this adventure.”

“I do hope your time here is pleasant.” Unfortunately, she’d gone all prickly and formal, which he couldn’t help but regret.

“Thank you.”

“It must be difficult for your family to have you gone as well.” She looked away as she said this, but he caught an odd glimmer in her eye before she did.

“My family?”

She cleared her throat. “Your . . . wife? Children?”

Ah. That was it. The little minx was fishing for information. Something warm trickled though his veins, and he bit back a grin. “I doona have a wife, lass.” Why he invested the words with a low rumble, he did not know. Or perhaps he did.

Her response was immediate. A slow smile blossomed on her beautiful face. Was it possible it made her even lovelier? “No wife?”

“No’ a one.” He chuckled. Damn, if she wasn’t flirting with him. Though it was foolish, the prospect danced through him in ribbons of pleasure.

“And the baron?”

His mood plummeted. “What?”

“Does the baron have a wife?”

Blast.

Aye, she was fishing for information.

On Ranald.