Read Highland Scoundrel (Highland Brides) for Free Online

mind," he murmured.
    "Black bulls?" She tried to look befuddled.
    "My laird," Gilmour Halwart said, looking embarrassed by the mention of his youthful foolishness. “My apologies again for letting your daughter ride that beast."
    "Apology accepted," Roderic said, then raised his goblet and murmured against the rim, "Better men than ye have tried to disallow her."
    Shona was certain she had heard her father wrong and stared at him in disbelief. Roderic might be a rogue, but he was a tamed rogue, and usually a flawless host.
    Halwart, however, didn't seem to notice Roderic's jibe. "And my thanks for such a splendid feast," he said.
    Roderic all but grunted.
    "And my Lady," Halwart continued, shifting his attention to The Flame. "Your daughter only personifies your beauty."
    Shona didn't know what that meant, but she had no wish to allow her mother to bluntly question his meaning, and she was too desperate not to use his words. "Laird Gilmour, ye flatter me so."
    "Nay. Nay, indeed." He squeezed her hand in apparent earnestness, though what he was earnest about she was completely unsure. "The Highlands were not the same with ye gone."
    She tried to blush. "I'll wager you've said that to a hundred lasses."
    "Nay, tis not so. There is none other with your..." For just a moment his gaze dipped to her decollete. Shona supposed it was her own fault that men's eyeballs kept falling down her bodice.
    After all, she'd worn it entirely too low. But the dressmaker had assured her that those that don't have much must show it off to the best advantage. She realized now that she hadn't been nearly offended enough. "...daring," Halwart finished finally. "There is none other with your daring. Do ye still delight so in a good romp?"
    "A romp?" Roderic snarled, raising his lips from his drink.
    Halwart jumped at the tone. “I meant a roam, a walk, a constitutional. Nothing more!"
    "Oh. Of course," Roderic said, and though he hid his expression, Shona thought she saw him grin into his goblet.
    Halwart cleared his throat, drawing Shona's attention back to his florid face.
    "Oh, aye," Shona said. "I do enjoy walking."
    "Might ye accompany me to the garden, then? The horse chestnuts are in bloom."
    He was still holding her hand, and she didn't particularly like how he kept breathing on it. He had been amusing as a boy, but he'd been rather short and skinny then and she'd always been certain she could knock him down and pin his ears back, if need be. She wasn't so sure now. Still, one glance at her father warned her it was best to discontinue that conversation, and one more glance at the far wall confirmed her suspicions that Dugald the Distracting was still staring at her with those eerie silvery eyes of his.
    "A walk in the garden would be lovely." She rose smoothly to her feet.
    "Daughter," Roderic said softly, then motioned her to draw nearer. "I've no wish for blood to be spilled at Dun Ard this night."
    She drew back just a wee bit as if affronted. "I hope ye dunna mean to say that ye think I might cause some sort of trouble."
    The Rogue snorted quietly, but she thought she saw his lips lift into a trace of a smile. "Have a care, lass," he warned, trying to look stern, "and dunna go further than the garden."
    "Ye have my word as a gentlewoman and your daughter," she said, and straightening to her regal height, graciously took Halwart's arm.
    Her composure lasted no more than a few seconds, for as she passed the end table, she was certain she saw Dugald's lips curl up in the slightest suggestion of a smile.
    She turned swiftly away, her hand delicately placed on Gilmour's arm.
    Outside, the air felt fresh against her face. The gardens were lit with lanterns set atop long stakes stuck into the soil. The light danced softly, illuminating the fragile beauty of the place. As they toured the twisting trails, the fragrances of spring drifted to Shona, the sweet smell of quince blossoms, the distinctive blend of fennel and rich, ripe earth.
    She was