Page 14 of The Highlander Is All That

“No’ alone, of course. She’s staying with the duchess’s sister, Susana, who has a daughter about the same age.” That wicked grin again. “They’re both hellions. I can only imagine what trouble those two will get into together.” He seemed delighted at the prospect, which floored her.

“You seem pleased that she is a hellion.”

He lifted a shoulder in a lazy shrug. “I love her as she is. She could use a mother though. At some point.”

“I imagine so.” Curiosity pricked her and after a moment she asked, “What happened to her mother?”

“Ah.” His expression darkened and he scrubbed at his beard. “Fever.” The word was choked out.

“I’m . . . sorry.”

“It was difficult. I do miss her.”

“Of course.”

Something of an awkward silence settled then, and Anne couldn’t think of a thing to say to break it. It was strange enough that she wanted to. That she wanted to converse with him more, which was an anomaly indeed.

At long last, he spoke. “I do hope we can be friends while I am here,” he said sincerely. “T’would make things much easier, I imagine. For both of us.” He held out his hand, but she hesitated.

Speaking to him was one thing. Touching him was another thing entirely.

“What do you think, Lady Anne? Shall we work together to find your sisters wonderful husbands?”

How could she say no to that? Besides, she really didn’t want to. Friendship did sound attractive and even though he was far too handsome and reminded her of Kirk, there were also ways he was unlike her old lover.

Could she forget that he was a Scotsman? Probably not. But could they be friends? “Yes.” She thrust her hand forward and hardly shivered at all as he enclosed it in his enormous, warm paw. “Friends.”

“Friends, indeed.”

And this time, when he smiled, she smiled back. And meant it.

Chapter Four

Hamish blew out a breath. Bluidy hell.

Had he thought his mission would be hard?

Impossible was more like it.

He’d been here less than a day and he had already succumbed to Elizabeth’s seductive wiles. Already yanked her into his arms, like the barbarian he was, and kissed her soundly.

And damn. What a kiss.

Hamish was not a green lad. He’d had more lovers than he could recall, but never, not ever, had he kissed a woman who made him so crazed.

He’d nearly lost his mind and taken her on the floor of the folly. And what folly that would have been.

Lachlan would flay him alive, for one thing. For another, he would never forgive himself if he allowed himself to seduce an innocent. He was a man of the world, and his tastes were . . . sophisticated. That girl had no idea what fate she was tempting. Beyond that, Hamish had no intention or desire to marry, but he knew damn well what the cost was for deflowering an English debutante.

And forget a forced wedding. The British lords would string him up by the balls.

The only sane course was to keep his distance from the enticing Elizabeth and absolutely, positively never kiss her again.

“There you are!”

Hamish jumped as a militant roar echoed behind him. He whipped around to see Lady Esmeralda with her cane in tow. “My lady.” He bowed.

“Bah. Don’t ‘my lady’ me. Call me Essie.”