Good God, what happened to ye?" Shelton dropped the bucket of water he was carrying, unmindful that it spilled across the barn floor.
"I fell." Dougal picked up a brush and began to groom Poseidon.
Shelton gave a silent whistle. "Fell into what? A hammer?"
"Something like that.
Ye'll wish a bath this evening, and while I don't mind servin' as yer cook, I'm not washin' yer back."
"I won't ask if of you, I promise.
Ye said yerself that the man was bonny enough to sup with a spoon.
Karen HawkinsHe was going to enjoy pressing his little scheming hostess into improprieties she'd not soon forget. He didn't need a storm to make his point; he had his own powers of persuasion-and he'd use them all on her.
He led her to the library, to the table holding the sherry. "Will you do the honors?" He leaned forward and added in a low voice, "Or perhaps you'd like us to do it together-your hand under mine, your fingers wrapped around the neck of the decanter as we-"
Color flooded her cheeks, and she said in a breathless voice, "I will be glad to pour us some sherry-though I'm surprised you wish for some more."
"It is wretched, but your cook has ruined my palate.When I return to London, I won't know good port from bad, burned meat from raw, and don't begin to talk to me about soups.
Perhaps we should spice up our next wager."
A wary look entered her blue eyes. "How?"
"By wagering your mother's necklace against...your clothing."
She froze, her arms over her head, her eyes wide. "My clothing?"
"Yes. Your gown-against your mother's neckace." His body was already hard at the thought of her standing before him in nothing but her chemise and stockings.
Sophia lowered her arms with a teasing smile. "I doubt it will fit you."
A surprised laugh broke from him. "That would be a sight. But to be crystal clear, if I win this hand, you will disrobe for me.
Blast the man! How dare he pack his bags and ride away after all the work she'd done! Worse, how dare he do it while looking so damned appealing?
Karen HawkinsWhat's the matter, MacLean? Are you afraid?"
His brows snapped down, his eyes glinting dangerously. "What did you say?"
She lifted her chin. "I asked if you were afraid. If that is why you're sneaking out like a thief in the night?"
"It's morning,and I'm no thief."
"No,but you are afraid,aren't you? Afraid of me."
Dougal's expression darkened even more. "You don't know what you're saying."
"Yes,I do." She leaned close to say dismissively, "You are afraid of what our card games might cause you to lose."
Dougal's body tensed at the words, making Poseidon jolt forward. How dare she accuse him of being afraid? The thought of it raged through him.
Yet in the back of his mind, a small voice whispered, She's right. You are afraid of what you'll lose, only it's not about the house. It's about your self-control.
Dougal slung himself down from the horse and faced Sophia. She refused to back away but stood her ground so that he was but a few inches from her.
She glared at him. "I saw your face last night. You want me, MacLean. Admit it. You're afraid I'll offer myself for the house, and you won't be able to resist it.And then..." She smiled smugly. "And the you'll lose.
Perhaps I should just leave after all."
She whirled on him. "No! I'm just trying to find the right words,and I-oh,it's complicated!"
"Lies usually are."
She wetted her lips. "Lies?"
He raised his brow.
She sighed, her shoulders slumping, an expression almost of relief crossing her face. "You know."
Dougal nodded.
"Everything?"
He nodded again.
"How we tried to conceal the house's value? And disguised the beautiful paneling in the library? And-"
"Blocked up the chimneys and hid the good furnishings and served me food a dead man would refuse."
She bit her lip. "I'm sorry about that."
"No,you're not. You wanted me unhappy and uncomfortable."
"Well,yes-but not very uncomfortable.
You,my lord, are giving me goose bumps."
"Every beautiful woman deserves to be clothed in no less.
Ye're playing fer the house? But ye won it just a month ago! Why,this land is worth more than yer estate near Stirling!"
Now that he'd toured the land and knew the true condition of the house, Dougal was tempted to agree. The deed to MacFarlane House was worth far more than he'd originally thought.
Shelton shook his head. "Ye're moonstruck, me lord. Moonstruck and fairy-pinched.
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