Chapter Four
"Nay, 'tis my room." Elspeth couldn't believe Cyrus MacKenzie had blundered into her bedchamber by mistake. Or had it been intentional? Exactly how sotted was he, anyway? She'd left the door unbolted so her maid could come and go as she pleased, never imagining a man would walk in.
He glanced at the door. "Is this the third room on the right?"
"Nay, the fourth."
"Devil take it. Now I cannot even count," he muttered, as if to himself.
She almost smiled at that, glad to see the earl was not perfect, and that he could admit when he erred.
"Pray pardon. I must be next door." He bowed. "I will see myself out." He turned away, heading toward the door. Abruptly, he paused. "Could I ask you not to mention this to any of my brothers? Nor Rebbie, for that matter. They will find it rich beyond bearing and claim I can no longer tolerate fine scotch."
His apology, as well as his request, caused something within her to soften. Mayhap he wasn't as fearsome as she'd first thought. "I can keep a secret."
"Oh, and please don't tell Lady Lily. 'Twould surely ruin my chances with her if she knew."
"I shan't tell anyone." Truly, she wouldn't, especially since he'd asked so courteously.
He nodded and moved to the door. He opened it a crack, then quickly closed it back.
His actions perplexed her. "What is it?"
Unexpectedly, a knock sounded at the thick oak door, startling her. "Good heavens, who is that? Is it my maid?"
Still facing the door, Cyrus shook his head.
After wrapping the plaid blanket around herself, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. Her bare feet sank into the plush Turkish carpet by the bed, then she padded across the room on the cool smooth floorboards.
"I swear I'm going to throttle the lad," Cyrus whispered.
"Who?" She stopped a few feet from him.
"Fraser." Cyrus glanced around at her. Even in the dimness, his dark eyes penetrated her defenses, just as they had in the great hall.
She frowned. "Fraser is out there?"
"Aye, who else? He's intent on seducing you."
"Oh. Saints." Mortification washed over her.
"Exactly."
"I would never… oh, goodness. Mayhap he will go away." Had she laughed at one too many of Fraser's jests?
The knock sounded again, louder this time. Blast Fraser and his persistence. She liked him a great deal and he was, of course, gorgeous, but she would never have a fling with him. He seemed young and frivolous.
"Who is it?" she called.
"'Tis a surprise," Fraser answered in a flirtatious tone.
"Oh, heavens." Her face still burning, she looked up at Cyrus. His excessive height made her feel very small, overwhelmed and flustered. "I'm exhausted and need to sleep," she called back to Fraser.
"'Tis what I would love to do, but my room has been taken over by bats."
"God's teeth," Cyrus hissed. "Is this how he seduces women?"
Elspeth covered her mouth so her amusement wouldn't burst out, then ran back to the bed and collapsed upon it. Unable to suppress her laughter, she yanked a pillow over her head.
