Read In the Heat of the Bite for Free Online

Matthew’s strength not to grab MacQuarrie by the jacket and toss him into the Thames. But the sot would probably just float his way into another boatload of trouble.
    “I didn’t make you so you could accost unsuspecting women at Vauxhall. In case you’ve forgotten, Alec, I made you because it was that or let you die by the frozen waters of Loch Calavie.” He shot MacQuarrie his darkest stare. “And because you asked me to save you.”
    The Scot snorted. “My memory is a bit foggy on all that.” MacQuarrie took a step toward Matthew, a frown marring his face. “Why do you smell like Caitrin Macleod?”
    Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose. This was the last conversation he wanted to have. “
Lady Eynsford
touched my arm when I made certain her little weather-disturbing sister witch made it to Thorpe House in one piece.”
    “Rhiannon’s in Town?”
    “You know her?” Matthew asked before he could stop himself.
    “The better question, Blodswell, is how do
you
know her?”
    “I’d hardly say I know her. I
met
the chit when she was throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of Hyde Park.” A grin tugged at the corner of his lips, no matter how much he wished it didn’t.
    “You know, all those years I just assumed she loved the elements,” MacQuarrie lamented.
    “She
is
the elements,” Matthew grunted. And a bloody beautiful one at that. “What do you know of her?”
    MacQuarrie’s eyes danced with pleasure at Matthew’s discomfort. Yet the Scot said firmly, “I know she’s too bloody good for the likes of one of us.”
    Well, he wasn’t asking to marry the chit. Still, he didn’t like the tone in MacQuarrie’s voice. “What is that supposed to mean?” Matthew ground out.
    “It means that you had best stay clear of Miss Sinclair while she’s in Town.”
    “Indeed? And is that a warning?” Certainly, the young man didn’t want to test his mettle against Matthew. He had to be smarter than that, Cambridge man and all.
    “Take it as you will. But I’ll not allow you to hurt her. And if you even
think
of partaking of any little piece of her, blood or otherwise, I’ll stop at nothing to prevent it. Those women are like family to me. All five of them.”
    “Even Lady Eynsford?” Matthew couldn’t keep from goading him.
    The Scot’s jaw tightened. “Even Cait,” he mumbled.
    Matthew laid his hand on Alec’s shoulder and squeezed. “The lady you were in the shadows with when I arrived—I feel certain she has men in her life, men who feel just as protective over her as you do those five women. Brothers? A father? So, keep that in mind the next time you decide to enchant your next meal. Choose someone who won’t be sullied by it.”
    “She’ll not even remember it tomorrow,” MacQuarrie grunted.
    “If that’s the case, why do you feel as though someone like me is not nearly good enough for Miss Sinclair?”
    The Scot’s black eyes narrowed. Then he nodded tightly.
    “If you’re in need of a meal, we can go back to
Brysi
,” Matthew suggested.
    “I’m fine,” Alec said as he adjusted his jacket and stood a little taller. “I’ve been locked up too long. I’d like to see the fireworks.”
    A curvy blond walked close by and immediately caught the Scot’s attention. Matthew punched his arm none too gently and pointed toward the sky. “Those fireworks, lad. Not the other kind.”
    MacQuarrie grinned sheepishly and followed Matthew into the dark night. The youngster couldn’t be trusted to be on his own. Which meant Matthew not only had to endure the boom and crashing of fireworks despite his headache, he also had to attend a ball. A bloody ball. One where he would be forced to keep a watchful eye on Alec MacQuarrie, or else the Scot would land them all in the middle of an entirely different kind of storm.

     
    “I canna believe ye talked me inta wearin’ this,” Rhiannon grumbled as she tugged at the bodice of Cait’s borrowed ball gown. There simply wasn’t enough of it.