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two of her friends.
    Duncan caught sight of Jenny as Tavish swept her into a new dance. “Light like the barley before harvest, when the wind whispers through it in waves.”
    “Well that’s specific,” said Alex, with a knowing expression. In the soft glow of sunset, the dancers moved about in their pattern. There Jenny was, dancing and smiling, and Tavish danced with her.
    Charlie’s glance swept from Alex to Duncan. His face brightened. In an instant, he was gone, but returned minutes later with two grinning girls. “I’m afraid, Alex, you’ll have to fend for yourself.”
    Alex leveled a look and said, “I’m quite sure I can manage without you.”
    Charlie laughed as he nudged Duncan toward one girl and swept the other into his arms for a lively Highland Schottische. Duncan’s partner seemed eager enough to hold him close to secure his unsteady balance on the turns. In spite of the whisky, Duncan’s body responded by instinct and memory to the steps and turns of the dance and the touch of a woman. The music stopped. Just as suddenly, Duncan told his partner that he had to go.
    “Where? I’ll come with you.” She took hold of his hand and caught up to his pace.
    With eyes fixed forward, Duncan said, “I have to go.” He stopped and gently pried her hand from his.
    “Oh! Well, I’ll wait for you here.”
    He opened his mouth to protest, but he had more pressing business. With a shrug, he walked off toward some shrubbery to relieve himself.
    When he returned, she was in the same spot with the same eager smile. He smiled and wandered away, but his new companion caught up and slipped her arm into his as she pressed her plump curves against him.
    Lifting round eyes to his, she said, “I’ve something to show you.” Sliding her hands down his arms, she clasped his hand.
    In a few steps, they were within the dark cover of trees and thick bracken. Wasting no time, she slipped her hands over the edge of his belt and gently pulled him against her and guided his hands about her waist.
    Reaching up on her tiptoes, she started to kiss him, but he gripped her waist and held her at bay. “No, lass. You dinnae want me.”
    “Och, but I do.”
    Duncan shook his head and watched leafy shadows move over her features. “I’ve got nothing for you.”
    “That isnae true, Duncan.” With a coy downward glance down past his belt, she said, “You’ve got something I’d like very much. And I like you. I always have.” Her eyes rose to meet his, full of feelings he could not return. If she gave him her body, she would want his heart in return. She deserved as much, but he could not give it.
    He paused to find words that would not have too sharp a sting. If they were there, the whisky obscured them. “I’m sorry.”
    “What is it? Am I not bonnie enough?” She glanced away, but Duncan touched her chin and lifted it gently. “You are very bonnie, and I am a fool. But I’ve been wounded, and there’s no help for it.”
    “Wounded?” Her eyes went straight to his groin. “There was nothing wounded there moments ago. What you need is someone who appreciates you.” She began to appreciate him with her hands, and his body responded even as he backed away from her.
    She reached out, but he held her gently at arm’s length. “We must go back now.”
    “No, Duncan.”
    Her round sad eyes cajoled him, but a warm smile was all he would offer. “Come, bonnie lass, will you dance with me?”
    She reluctantly took the hand that he offered, and followed him back toward the others.
    “Duncan?”
    “Aye, lass?”
    “You’ve nae said my name once.”
    His eyes shut for an instant before he dared meet the frown that awaited him.
    She pushed his arm away. “You dinnae remember me, do you?”
    He thought hard, but it would not come to mind. “Of course I do.”
    “Good, then tell me my name.”
    “I’m sorry. ‘Tis the whisky.”
    “The whisky?” Her look condemned him.
    Cold silence hovered between them until