Page 43 of My Highland Love

“Fool,” she hissed. She had almost spread her legs for him. A stab of longing startled her. Dear God, the deed would have meant nothing to him.

The unexpected sound of footsteps racing down the hallway jerked her attention to the door. The light tread belonged to a woman and she approached at a run. Elise darted from the door, headed for the screen in hopes of ducking behind the barrier. The footsteps halted outside her bedchamber and the door burst open before she reached the screen.

“Thank God!” Mary cried.

Elise whirled.

“You must come quickly!” Mary dashed across the room and grabbed her arm, then tugged her toward the door.

“What in God's name is wrong?” Elise wrenched free.

“'Tis Lady Margaret,” Mary wailed. “She's in an awful fit and is sure to beat Jinny.”

Elise pushed past Mary and rushed from the room, along the corridor, then down the steps into the great hall. She raced across the great hall, coming to a skidding halt in the kitchen.

Jinny cowered in a corner with Margaret standing over her.

“What is the meaning of this?” Elise demanded.

Margaret turned.

“Cease this nonsense,” Elise ordered.

Margaret stared, slack-jawed.

“Close your mouth,” Elise snapped. “In polite circles, it is considered rude to stare.”

Margaret's mouth twisted into a gruesome frown. “How dare you?”

“What right have you to terrorize this household?”

Margaret's eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction. “I have every right—as you know.”

“Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. I venture Marcus will not take kindly to your actions.”

“Marcus again, is it?”

Elise recognized the jealousy in the woman's eyes and gave her a calculated look. “Jinny,” she addressed the young cook who still cowered, “fetch Cameron.”

“Cameron?” Margaret's brows rose in a mocking manner.

“Yes. Jinny, I saw him upstairs only a few minutes ago. He was probably on his way to the library.”

“Stay where you are,” Margaret threatened.

Jinny's wary glance darted from Margaret to Elise.

“It's all right,” Elise urged.

Jinny shot a sidelong look at Margaret, then eased a foot to the side. Lady Margaret took a step toward the girl. Elise slid between them.

“Don't take your petty jealousy out on her.” Elise stepped so close Margaret was forced to look up in order to maintain eye contact. “Are you such a coward you will only fight those who don't have the power to fight back?”

Margaret raised her hand and swung, palm open, for a hard slap. Her gaze flicked past Elise and her eyes widened as a much larger hand intercepted her palm before it hit its intended mark.

“Enough, lass,” Cameron commanded softly.

“I—” she began.