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have you been at court long?”
    He could tell that she wanted to press the matter but thought better of it. “Just two weeks.”
    Jamie, apparently not liking what had essentially become a private conversation, made a possessive move toward Meg and took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “Meg and her party were attacked on the way to court,” he explained.
    Alex lifted a brow in feigned surprise. “How unfortunate. You were not harmed, I hope?”
    Meg looked him straight in the eye again. He couldn’t help but admire her fortitude. “No, though six of my father’s men were killed, and my mother suffered a blow to the head. They would have killed us all, but we were fortunate to have been rescued by a mysterious band of warriors.”
    “Fortunate indeed,” Alex agreed. The way she was watching him didn’t bode well. He tensed. She was going to say something—
    “Actually,” she said with a provoking little smile, “the leader looked remarkably like you.”
    Damn. Alex quickly masked his flash of anger with a chuckle, as if she’d just said something incredibly amusing. But he didn’t miss the slight sharpening of Jamie’s gaze.
    “Though I’d like to take credit, Mistress Mackinnon, I’m afraid you must be mistaken. You know what they say around here—all of us barbarians look alike.”
    She didn’t laugh; rather, her study of his face intensified.
    Jamie frowned.
    Alex knew he’d better think of something fast. Suddenly, it came to him. “Actually, it sounds more like something my brother might do. We look much alike, don’t we, Jamie?”
    Jamie studied him carefully and finally nodded. “Yes. Very alike.”
    But Alex could see that the damage had been done. Jamie’s suspicions had been aroused. Alex would have to tread carefully.
    “Hmm,” Meg said, “I’m sure that’s it.” But he could tell she did not believe him.
    “These outlaws have grown too bold,” Jamie said. His face darkened, and for a moment Alex had a glimpse of the ruthless man he would become. “Broken men are a scourge upon the land. Threatening innocent women,” he said indignantly. “I’ll hunt down every last one and see them pay.”
    Alex fought to control his temper. Your cousin is al
    ready doing a fine job of it.
    He was relieved when Meg decided not to further press the matter of his identity. “How long will you be at court, Laird MacLeod?”
    “Not long,” he answered truthfully. Once he found what he’d come for, he would be gone. “I hope to have my business concluded soon and be on my way.”
    “Are you here, then, on behalf of your brother?” she asked.
    Her tenacity was almost awe-inspiring. If he weren’t so furious with her, he’d applaud. But she’d done enough damage for one day. “No.”
    “Alex is a soldier,” Jamie explained. “Only recently returned from Spain and Flanders.”
    “Oh!” Meg exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.
    Alex watched as understanding dawned. Somehow, he knew what her reaction would be.
    Disappointment flickered in her eyes. Those damnably entrancing eyes.
    The news that he was a mercenary soldier had done what he could not—stopped her questions. She no longer studied his face but turned her attention back to Jamie. A subtle rejection, and a surprisingly effective one.
    He should be relieved. But when they took their leave, and her gaze slid over him with barely concealed regret, he was almost sorry about the need for the ruse.

 
    Chapter 3

    The next evening, Meg found herself in exactly the same place she’d been for the last two weeks. But tonight there was a discernible difference. He was here.
    Unfortunately, she was not the only one to have noticed.
    She excused herself from the circle of ladies and moved toward the open window overlooking the rose garden, hoping the fresh air would help clear her head. He’d only just arrived, and already she’d heard more than enough about Alex MacLeod. Even if she wanted to forget him, it would be nigh