Page 16 of Taken By the Savage Highlander

With a chuckle, he shifted in his seat, pulling out all but one of the cards that he had been slowly collecting. Margo gasped as he spread them on the table, and the children broke out in a collective flurry of laughter. He sat back, folding his arms over his chest and took in the surprise on Margo’s face.

It took her nearly ten full seconds to recover from her initial shock. When she did, she pointed her finger at him and said, “You cannot do that!”

“Ach, but I just did,” he retorted with a mischievous smile when her voice stopped echoing through the Hall.

“That is not how the game works!” she said, falling back into her chair with an incredulous laugh.

“I daenae ken about that,” Cameron mused. “It seems to be workin’ well enough for me.”

Another round of laughter worked its way through the table. He sat there for another moment, intrigued at how frustrated Margo was over this simple game. While he would not call it endearing, her behavior had a quality he was fond of.

“I must thank ye all for the game,” he said as he rose from his seat, palming one of the cards slyly. “But I did have work to do before ye drew me in.”

“Are ye sure?” one of the boys asked, looking legitimately put out at the loss of his presence.

“Aye,” Cameron confirmed. “Perhaps I will join ye all again another time.”

Without giving them a chance to protest once more, he stepped away from the table, taking the reports he had been going over with him. He reached the corridor swiftly, slipping out of the Hall and making his way to his study. When he was several meters away, the doors swung open behind him.

“Cameron MacLeod!”

Turning around slowly, he saw Margo standing there with her hands on her hips. The frown was back, but this time it was slightly more serious. There was still a playful fire in her eyes, but he could tell she was bordering on the edge of exasperation.

“Are ye followin’ me now?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You stole from me,” she accused evenly.

“Did I, now?” he said curiously, his teasing thinly veiled.

“You did,” Margo confirmed, marching toward him. “I counted the cards.”

“Smart lass,” he said under his breath. Slowly, he pulled the card from his sleeve, turning it toward her with a smirk.

She gasped, letting her mouth fall open in disbelief. “There! I knew it!”

“Aye,” he said, looking down at the hearts on the corners.

“But why?” she said, taking another step toward him, her own eyes locked on the little piece of thick parchment.

Ach, her frustration shouldnae be so amusin’.

“So ye could win,” he said when he was satisfied with making her wait. She blinked up at him, clearly not understanding what he could mean. “The wee devils never had any intention of lettin’ ye win, nae even yer own sister.” He studied the card, frowning as he processed his next words. “I figured somebody ought to be on yer side. Now, go on. Win the game.”

He pressed the card into her palm, leaning in close as he wrapped her fingers around it. The warmth of her skin was intoxicating, and just a little touch was a potent temptation. His mouth by her ear, he whispered, “If ye’re goin’ to survive among Highlanders, lass, ye’ll need to learn when to follow the rules… and when to break them.”

Then, just as quickly as he had gotten close, he pulled away. Without giving her another glance, he continued on his way to his study. A few seconds later, her startled, shy laughter followed him down the corridor.

CHAPTER NINE

“What is that?” Cameron grumbled, sitting up in his bed.

The sun had not yet crested the hills, and the world seemed to be soft and gray. At first, he thought the soft and haunting sound was a figment of his imagination. Then he realized it was still going on.

He swiftly pushed the covers back and followed the melody. He was sure now that it was a song. After holding his breath for a moment, he realized it was drifting in through the door connecting his current chambers with the one he’d given to Margo.

As he approached the thin barrier to listen in, he was surprised to make out Gaelic phrases. It reminded him of lullabies from a long time ago. The kind of tunes his mother would sing to him when he was a little older than a wee bairn.

Still half-asleep, not bothering to put anything on over his nightshirt, he followed the sound. He knocked on the door once, as politely as he could. Then, without waiting for a response, he opened it and stepped inside.