“Sheena!”
She didn’t look back. She swung up onto her horse, positioning herself astride, her skirt hiked to her knees. Digging her heels into the mare, she jumped the burn, surprising both men, and galloped off.
“She rides with unusual skill, and no mistake,”Colen remarked as he gazed after her. “You wouldna think a MacEwen would possess enough horseflesh to let his women learn to ride.”
He looked back at Jamie, flinching under the murderous regard he hadn’t expected. “If you were no’ my brother,” Jamie said icily, “I would take pleasure in killing you right now. What the devil brings you here?” he finished with a shout.
“We’ve guests at the castle,” Colen explained quickly. “Will Jameson has come to look over your horses and he carries a fat purse. I thought you’d want to know.”
“He could have waited until I returned, Colen. He’ll no doubt be staying the night as it is.”
“True. But I had no way of knowing I’d be disturbing you, Jamie. I’m no’ sorry I did,” he added, then chuckled at his brother’s black scowl. “You’d best cool off with a swim now. Don’t worry. I’ll see that Sheena returns to the castle safely.”
He rode away before his brother could get his hands on him, and he didn’t try to hide his grin.
Chapter 20
Sheena entered the living quarters through the servants’ entrance, so she would not have to pass through the hall. She ran up the stairs leading to the second floor, along the corridor to the tower, and up more stairs to her room. When she opened the door, she saw two gowns folded on the window seat, and bolts of cloth to make more. The sight brought tears to her eyes, for a new wardrobe seemed to imply that she would never leave there.
She threw herself on the bed, sobbing, then quickly sat up. Her breasts were sensitive, her nerves raw.
“God, what has he done to me? I canna even touch myself and no’ be reminded…”
How had it happened? She couldn’t begin to answer. She knew only that she had been drugged with a heady magic, and she recalled everything, every moment. She blushed.
“He’s a devil with a devil’s magic, and he works a potent spell. I need to get far, far away from James MacKinnion.”
The one who had made Sheena cry came to her door much later that day. She had slept a little, worn out by confusion and tears. Since waking, she had been combing out her lustrous hair while sitting on the window seat, trying to calm her jangled nerves. But when she saw Jamie, her pulse picked up its beat again, and when he spoke, she jumped.
“You must like this room. You spend so much time in it,” he commented with a lazy smile.
“At least I am alone here. Or Iwas,” she said pointedly, backing away from him. “Why have you come?”
“To escort you to the hall. We’ve guests, and it grows late.”
“I suggest you attend your guests alone,” Sheena replied stiffly.
“I wish to have you at my side,” he said.
“But I wish to stay here.”
“Now who do you think will be getting their wish?” he said with a grin.
“Is that an order?” she asked sharply.
“Aye.”
Sheena cried furiously, “Just who do you think you are?”
“Laird of the MacKinnions,” he answered: smoothly.
“But I’mno’ a MacKinnion, and I dinna take kindly to your ordering me about. You’ve no rights over me!”
“Enough, Sheena.” He cut her off. “I’ll no’ debate with you. Now I dinna give orders often—”
“You most certainly do,” she said.
He frowned. “But when I do, my orders will be obeyed.”
