Page 36 of Dark Seduction

She tried to tell herself this was for the best, but she was stricken with dismay. Still, if she was falling for this man, then this was a fortunate turn of events. His marriage would be a barrier between them that could not be breached.

Malcolm glanced at Brogan. “Go into the hall an’ order the great chamber readied fer our guest.”

The boy nodded eagerly and dashed off. Malcolm called after him. “With wine an’ refreshments, lad, an’ a fire. Lady Camden is a bit chilled. Seamus, I’ll speak with ye in a bit.”

“Aye.” Seamus turned and strode off.

Malcolm took her hand. “Brogan is me bastard, Claire. I nay be married. But ye look as if someone has died.”

There was so much relief.

“Come down,” he said softly.

Claire slipped from the horse, beginning to think more clearly. She had just been devastated that he was not available, and now she was faint with relief. Oh, boy, if she was genuinely interested in this man, she was in big trouble.

She managed to gather some of her wits. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

He hesitated. “I told ye afore, yer thoughts scream so loudly, they be easy t’ hear.”

Claire folded her arms across her chest. “I am beginning to wonder if you have telepathic powers, too.”

“I dinna ken all the words ye speak, lass.”

“Can you read my mind?”

He stared.

“Oh, my God,” Claire said, shaken. “You can read minds, can’t you?”

“’Tis another wee gift I have,” he said, but he flushed.

She would analyze the ramifications of this particular gift another time. Right now, she was furious. “You need to respect the privacy of my thoughts,” she said harshly. “It’s not fair that you eavesdrop on what I am thinking.”

He smiled, tilting up her chin, turning his potent gaze on her. “But if I had nay heard ye, loud an’ clear right now, ye’d be in tears an’ thinkin’ o’ denying what’s between us.”

Her eyes went wide. He’d been acting as if nothing had happened all day. “What’s between us? I didn’t even know you recalled yesterday morning,” she said tersely. “And I wouldn’t care if you were married!”

“Liar.”

She felt her cheeks heat. “Well, maybe I’d care—a bit. But only because, in my time, it’s wrong to sleep with a married man.” Then she added, “It’s wrong in your time, too, and you know it.”

“I be glad I have not made such vows, Claire,” he murmured very seductively. His thick, dark lashes slanted down. “Ye think I did not hear yer cries all night? I didna sleep, Claire, because of ye.”

Her heart turned over, hard. “Well,” she managed to say thickly. Desire surged. “Well.”

His smile was as beautiful as the rising sun had been earlier that day. “I dinna ken why ye wished to go to Dunroch in yer time. I dinna ken why I want ye as I do. But I think there are answers t’ be found, maybe on Iona.”

“Iona,” she repeated, instantly diverted.

“The MacNeil be almost as old as the Ancients, lass,” he said. “I’ll find the answers there. An’ do not think o’ Sibylla now. Ye be safe with me. Come.” He walked beneath the portcullis, disappearing into the gatehouse.

Claire’s mind scrambled. Were the answers to her presence in the past at Iona? God, she hoped so! And did Malcolm mean to pick up tonight where they’d left off yesterday?

She hurried after him. A very small courtyard was on the other side of the gatehouse and Malcolm was walking up the stairs to the great hall. Claire increased her pace, entering the great room.

The elegant seating arrangements were gone, as was the sword collection. Instead, there was only a long trestle table, benches and several period chairs. Tapestries covered most of the walls, their colors bright and new.

He was pouring ale from a jug on the table. Claire steeled herself as she approached. “We’ll find the answers on Iona together,” she said firmly.