Page 7 of In Bed with a Scot

Isabelle cocked her head to the side, studying him quietly. She extended him the flask and he took it gratefully.

“What is that look about?” he asked, with an interested light in his eyes.

Isabelle shook her head. “Nae all men admire a woman of learning.”

“Then they are fools,” he shrugged. “What is life without books?”

“Indeed,” she agreed with a smile.

He took a sip from the flask and handed it back to her. Isabelle accepted it and took her own small sip. She handed the flask back to him and decided to put her book back in the bag to keep it from being further abused. When she rejoined him, she found him staring into the flames of the fire as if it held the secrets of the world in its depths. He looked up at her when she approached and smiled apologetically.

“Me apologies.”

Isabelle shook her head. “There is nae need tae apologize. Dae ye wish tae share what had ye so deep in thought?”

He shook his head. “I was just thinking of me time in France. A friend of mine recently drew me mind back tae that time and it has lingered in me thoughts since.”

Isabelle nodded in understanding. “Travel teaches us much about ourselves and life as a whole.”

Madden’s brows lifted in surprise. “Indeed, it does. Have ye traveled much yerself?”

“Nae as much as I would like. I have been tae France, but I was a much younger lass and it was nae fer very long. How was yer time there?”

Madden shook his head. “That is a complicated question.”

“Ye need nae share if ye dinnae wish tae dae so.”

“I went tae France tae find a cure fer me maither, but there was nae cure tae be had. She died before we could return home.”

“I am sorry.”

He nodded in acceptance of her condolences. “After she died, I lost meself fer a time in war and women.”

“The king of distractions.” She gave him an understanding look.

Madden nodded. “Aye, the king of distractions indeed. It took nearly dying meself fer me tae realize that I needed tae change me ways, and so I did. I have been back home fer about a year now and I ken without a doubt that it was the right thing tae dae.”

“Well, fer me sake, I am glad that ye returned. Had ye nae helped me, I dinnae ken what would have happened.”

“Ye would have broken yer neck, that is what would have happened.” He studied her face for a moment. “I ken what I want in payment fer my help.”

Isabelle chuckled. “Once a mercenary, always a mercenary.”

He grunted at her jest as if he was not quite certain what to think about it.

She gave him an apologetic look. “What is it that ye wish fer?”

“A kiss.” He said it so nonchalantly that she thought she had heard him wrong.

“A what?”

“A kiss,” he repeated. “In payment fer saving yer life, I would like fer ye tae kiss me.”

“Why?” She asked dazed.

“Ye are a bonnie lass whose company I enjoy. Why would I nae wish tae kiss ye?”

Isabelle shook her head. “Nae, I will nae kiss ye. I dinnae ken ye well enough tae share something so intimate.”