Lifting a brow, he brought her arms down and knelt, then stroked his free hand from her calf up the inside of her bare thigh. He ran his fingers all along both legs, top to bottom.
Arousal crashed into her, taking her breath, making her squirm. How could she enjoy such a thorough frisking from the most extreme macho male she had ever met? She should kick him. But she couldn't. Didn't want to. What she wanted to do was tackle him to the floor.
Control yourself, Dani!
"Allow me to take off your boots," he said in a husky voice, his tongue rolling over the syllables. "So I can see if you have any weapons inside."
Would he reward her for cooperating? Would he stroke more of her aching body?
She pulled her feet up, one at a time, while he yanked her suede leather ankle boots off. After he searched the inside, he put them on her again. He released her, rose, and turned away. But not before she noticed his heightened state of arousal beneath the plaid. Did he feel just as she did, nearly immobilized with need?
How could she crave such an annoying man? Had she lost all sanity in this alternate universe?
A knock sounded at the door, jolting her from the languid reverie.
"Come," Gavin said.
Ewan entered. "The armory was still locked, m'laird. She must've used witchcraft to steal the sword."
"What? No, I didn't!"
Gavin faced her, his eyes narrowing. "I'll have nary a drop of trust for you until I find out why you were sent or if you're a witch." He glanced at Ewan. "Lock her in the dungeon."
∞∞∞
Gavin expected the beautiful lass to throw a tantrum, but the silent look of shocked pain she gave him right before Ewan escorted her out the door near rent his heart in two. He regretted hurting her feelings.
He didn't truly want to send her to the dungeon, but she could be a great danger to him and his clan. She could slit his throat while he slept or even harm his father. Had Lady Wilona MacRae or Chief MacRae sent her? Why? He had to find out. Taking the candle, he sat down at his desk in the corner and scribed a missive to Chief MacRae.
Just before he signed his name, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come," Gavin called.
Ewan entered. "She's all locked up nice and tight, m'laird. Finch is guarding."
Gavin ignored the pang of guilt that struck him. "Tell Crocker to take her some food and drink to break her fast in the morn. And you are to deliver this missive to Chief MacRae at first light." After adding his signature, Gavin sprinkled sand over the wet ink. He then dribbled melted scarlet wax into a small pool on the folded paper and stamped his seal ring into it. "He should send his response back by you."
"As you wish. Are you thinking Chief MacRae sent her without notifying you?"
"'Twould be madness if he did. I understand none of it. Did she walk here alone? How did she get inside the keep and into the armory?"
Ewan shrugged. "I locked all the doors at sundown. She must have used the witch's magic. And mayhap she is a witch too."
More confused than he'd ever been, Gavin shook his head. "I hope 'tis nay the way of it." He yearned for her to be an innocent pawn in all this, for he liked her far more than he should.
"If she escapes the dungeon, you'll ken she's a witch." Ewan chuckled.
"Treat her kindly. Do her nay harm, even if she does escape."
Ewan's eyes widened. "I would never hurt a lass, m'laird."
"Good." Gavin knew not why he found the mysterious Dani more intriguing than any woman he could recall. "Tell Crocker to take her two meals… then to clean the chamber next door." Gavin arose, and a sudden concern struck him—Dani might get cold. He grabbed two woolen blankets off his bed. "On second thought, I'll tell him."
Ewan cleared his throat and eyed Gavin with a crooked brow. "Very well."
Gavin strode from the room. Aye, he knew Ewan considered his words and actions strange, but he didn't want the lass to be mistreated or left hungry and cold. She had to be a blameless cat's-paw in Wilona's or the MacRae chief's machinations… at least he hoped so.
Chapter 6
