Page 13 of A Heart Worth Loving

Kyla slapped his hand away. “I did not give you leave to call me by my Christian name, sir.”

“Sir?” He snorted. “We know each other better than that. Let me show you a more pleasant way to spend an afternoon.” He stepped closer.

In three quick paces, Ewan emerged from the trees. “Ho, there! What’s the trouble here?”

As the man swung around, a ray of sun caught on the hilt of a silver-handled pistol, stuffed into his waistband. Ewan slowed. Beads of sweat broke out on his brow.

“Who are you?” Mallatratt demanded.

Ewan yanked his gaze from the pistol to the man’s face.

Mallatratt’s eyes narrowed. “Well? Are ye daft?”

“Lord Kilbreck,” Kyla stepped forward. “What a most pleasant surprise.”

“Kilbreck?” the man repeated, then his eyes lit with recognition. “Not the Kilbreck what bought Blackstone Abbey?”

“Indeed, he is,” Kyla supplied. “Lord Kilbreck, may I introduce Mister Mallatratt. He works for my father.”

Mister Mallatratt tossed her a thin-lipped look but turned back to Ewan. “You needn’t fret over Miss Brodrick, now. We are old friends.”

“You’re an old friend of my father’s, to be precise,” she interjected.

“Then perhaps it is time you left,” Ewan said.

“Here now,” Mister Mallatratt said. “I told you, Kyla and I are friends.”

“Friends with her father,” Ewan said.

“That’s closer friends than you and her,” he shot back. “I dinnae think her father would want me to leave her here alone with a Beast of Blackstone Abbey.”

“Mi-ster Mallatratt,” Kyla reprimanded. “I will not have you insult our new neighbors—and neither would my father.”

The man hesitated. He looked from her to Ewan, then spun and left.