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“King Richard made the final decision,” said Earc. “Our informant said he had a visitor with somethin’ in a bag last night though no one kens what it was. This mornin’ he suddenly changed his mind about attackin’. Richard claims he turned back because the Scots burned the crops and there was no’ enough food to feed his troops. However, no one can prove why he really turned around.”
Alastair’s eyes roamed over to Fia. She was hunkered down, pretending to tie her shoe, but he didn’t believe it. She was not only listening but also acting like she wasn’t even interested. That made him very suspicious.
“Thank ye, Earc,” he said. “Meet me in the courtyard with the rest of the men and I will give them the news.”
“Aye, my laird.”
“And bring Niven from the dungeon and tell him he is free to go.”
“Niven isna in the dungeon, my laird. He is in the great hall,” said Earc.
“He is? Are ye sure?” Alastair asked quietly, hoping Fia wouldn’t hear him.
“I saw him just minutes ago,” Earc whispered back. “He asked me if Fia had told ye yet that she had seen him last night.”
“Interestin’.” Alastair glanced back at Fia. She was watching but quickly looked in the other direction. “Thank ye, Earc, ye can go.”
As soon as Earc left, Alastair closed the door. He put his hand to his chin and paced the floor. “I wonder why Richard would even consider turnin’ and runnin’ with his tail between his legs back to England.”
“I’m sure he had his reasons.” Fia stood up and made her way across the room to open the shutter.
“I wanted to tell ye somethin’, Fia.”
“Really?” She turned around and smiled. “What is it?”
“I was dishonest with ye. I told ye I imprisoned Niven because I thought he stole the crown. Actually, I was only tryin’ to flesh out the culprit.”
She paused for a long moment, but then answered, “I ken.” She busied herself weaving her long hair into a braid as she stared out the window. “I saw him in the dungeon last night, and he told me yer plan.”
“Then . . . ye kent all along that I didna mean to harm him. That’s why ye told me to kill him?”
She smiled and nodded. “That’s right. I wanted to see what ye were goin’ to do, just like ye did to me.”
This surprised him. He admired her wiles and didn’t think a woman could be so cunning without the help of a man. Aye, she really impressed him. He should be furious but, instead, he found a new respect for her.
Alastair strolled over to the window, not knowing what to think or what she was capable of doing anymore. Could she have also somehow had something to do with the English army turning back? He pondered the thought and then shook it from his head. That was ridiculous. How could one person have that much power and influence over a king? And, indeed, not a woman. He dismissed the idea altogether. Fia might have done something to keep her crown out of his hands, but she certainly didn’t have the ability to figure out how to stop a war! It was all just a coincidence and naught else.
He walked up and slipped his hands around her waist, nuzzling her behind the ear. “Ye are a bad lassie. I should turn ye over my knee for that.” He kissed her on the cheek and then turned her and kissed her hard and long, claiming her as his own. Damn this woman excited him. If he hadn’t already promised he wouldn’t take her virginity, he’d throw her down on the bed right now, and couple with her hard and fast.
She reached up and took his head in her hands, looking deeply into his eyes. “Would ye do that?”
“If I bared yer bottom and turned ye over my knee would ye object?” Heat soared through him at the erotic thought of the action.
“Alastair MacPherson, I’m surprised at ye. Ye scold me one minute and excite me the next. Now, which one is it goin’ to be?” She smiled coyly and tilted her head.
“Dinna tempt me, vixen. I will no’ put up with yer flirtatious games anymore. I will let my actions speak for me instead.”
Once again,Fia had pushed him too hard. She toyed with him, trying to be flirtatious the way her cousin, Willow, was with all the men. Fia only did it because she wanted Alastair to like her. Plus, she didn’t think anything would happen since he promised to leave her virginity intact until she was married. Well, she was wrong.
Alastair scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder and headed back to the bed. She squealed, being surprised and excited, wondering what he was going to do next.
He sat on the edge of the bed. And, to her surprise, he did turn her face down over his lap. She couldn’t stop laughing. She figured he only did it to scare her, but when he pushed up her gown and pulled down her braies, her laughing stopped.
“Alastair . . . what are ye doin’?”
“Ye will no’ call my bluff again, Fia.” His palm cupped her bare bottom end, and she heard him moan. He tapped her ever so gently.
“It is like two ripe peaches callin’ out to me to taste their sweet nectar.” He squeezed her cheeks, causing her to jolt.
