Page 339 of Wicked Highland Heroes

She blew out a slow breath, set the drawings to the side, then turned over one of the pieces of paper and began working in earnest.

It seemed but a moment later when the creak of the door intruded upon her concentration. Victoria looked up and startled at sight of a tall, dark-haired stranger in the doorway.

His sharp gaze swept over her and her work, then swung back to her face. “Good evening, lass.”

The soft greeting didn’t disguise the razor sharp mind behind the face, but Victoria quelled the disquiet that quivered in her stomach and gave a gracious nod. “Good evening…” she let the words trail off in question.

Surprise flicked across his face and Victoria realized he’d discerned her English accent. She glanced past him at the open door, then cursed herself for the wish that Iain MacPherson would make one of his unannounced appearances.

His expression turned speculative. “I am Johannas,” he said. “Who are you?” But before she could answer, he strode toward her.

She froze when he rounded the desk and stopped behind her. When he glanced from the papers penned by her hand to the originals, her unease grew.

He reached past her shoulder and picked up the sheet she’d been writing on. “This is yours?”

Victoria twisted and met his gaze. He stared, eyes intent on her face. She gave a single nod.

He studied her. “The MacPherson did not tell me he had an engineer—and a woman no less.”

“I am not his engineer.” She pushed her chair back in a manner that should have forced him back, but didn’t.

“I did not know the English educated their women so well,” he commented, making it clear he was unsure whether he found the idea a good one or not. “Can you explain this?” He thrust the paper in her face.

Victoria accepted the paper as he leaned over her.

* * *

Victoria entered the kitchen.

“There she is, looking all bright this morning.” The smile Nellie gave Victoria was followed by a knowing look at the rest of the women.

“Good morning,” Victoria said, not feeling bright at all. A restless night spent waking at every sound outside her door had done nothing for her mood. Neither had a cold dinner, she noted, smelling deeply of the bread that was already baking.

“Did you have a good evening?” Nellie asked.

Victoria shrugged as she took a cup from the table then crossed to the hearth where water steamed in a kettle over the fire. “As well as can be expected.” She unhooked the hot pad hanging over the hearth, grasped the kettle hand with it, and poured hot water into her cup.

“No sleep, eh?” Nellie said. “Iain wear you out, mistress?”

“Wear me out—” Victoria jumped when hot water sloshed onto her hand. She hung the kettle back over the fire, transferred the cup to her other hand, and shook the burned hand in the air. “What is she saying?”

“You were not here last night,” Maude replied. “Neither was Iain.”

So that was why she hadn’t been summoned to the dinner table last night. She walked to the table and set her cup down. “So you assume…”

Maude eyed Victoria. “You are saying ’tis not true?”

“Aye.”

Nellie snorted, but Maude shrugged and went back to shelling the broad beans piled on the table before her.

After a few more civilities, Victoria left the kitchen, its occupants, and her untouched tea. If ever a day existed where the need for freedom pounded against her brain, she couldn’t name it. Three weeks within the walls of Fauldun Castle had taken its toll. Though she knew full well the problem was the last two days, not to mention the last few minutes that drove the desperate need to cast off her confinement. She had to take action.

Victoria wasted no time in discovering Thomas’s location. Once through the courtyard and over the hill on the east side of the compound, she spied the men training in the field to the rear of the keep. Thomas stood talking with another man.

“Sir.” She greeted him with a smile.

Thomas bowed as she approached. “To what do we owe the honor of your company? Have you an interest in watching our warriors sharpen their skill?” He motioned to the men sparring.