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the cool sea breeze whipping at his hair through the broken glass. The water reflected the blue sky. Cliffs jutted out on either side of the bay and a sandy beach lay below where gentle waves splashed and slid onto shore.
    "The weather is much different than it was last winter when I was here." He turned to look at her. "The view from here is beautiful." Although the scenery of the bay was lovely, it couldn't compare to her.
    "Aye, indeed." Her attention was focused on pushing the trunk against the wall.
    "Have you lived here at Dunnakeil your whole life?" Until last winter, he'd never visited Durness . Although he'd met Dirk and his father when they'd traveled south many years ago.
    "Nay, I fostered with… another clan from the time I was seven summers until I was sixteen."
    Jessie's stomach knotted for she'd almost forgotten who she was talking to. She'd come close to blurting out that she'd fostered with the Keiths . She could never let down her guard with Torrin, even though he was easy to talk to. While he seemed an honorable gentleman on the surface, she knew that deep down he was deadly.
    "I fostered as well, but only for four years."
    Fostering was a common practice among Highlanders. She knew the purpose was to form a network of clan alliances. Strange that their paths had only crossed one time prior to last winter.
    She eyed Torrin and the thick chestnut hair lying on his broad shoulders. The way he steadily watched her with those perceptive evergreen eyes made her heart thump hard and her insides flutter. Was it fear or something else? A mixture of several conflicting emotions?
    What in blazes was she doing alone in a bedchamber with him anyway? Although he didn't carry a sword or dirk at the moment, because she'd had all the visitors disarmed, he did retain his sgian dubh . And the small blade could be just as lethal as a large one. But strangely, although she knew she should fear him, she didn't. Each time she came face to face with him, she felt less afraid. Was she mad? She'd seen what he was capable of.
    "I'd best check on the servants and see how midday meal is coming along." She headed toward the door.
    "Do you enjoy archery?" he blurted.
    She halted and turned back to him, wondering at his odd question. His green eyes gleamed with interest… in her. This awareness sent heat rushing over her.
    "I've only tried it once," she said.
    "So you only like the blades?"
    She shrugged. "Why do you ask?"
    "I could teach you how to shoot a bow."
    That would be a wonderful skill to learn, but she knew 'twas only his ploy to get her alone and spend time with her. To allow her to get to know him . So she would want to marry him? Nay. Besides, she trusted him less than any man she'd ever met, other than MacBain. She shook her head. " 'Tis unnecessary."
    "It matters not. It might be fun."
    She knew not what fun was anymore, though at one time she had enjoyed many pursuits. "People would watch, and I'm certain I'd be horrible at it."
    "Nay, we'll slip away whilst no one is looking. You'll have no audience."
    So, he was not ashamed to admit he wished to get her alone. She narrowed her eyes. "I don't think that would be wise, either."
    "Bring a guard or two. Aye, bring two guards and a maid, for a chaperone. We'll have them turn their backs while you shoot at the target."
    She could not figure him out. Was he a cold-blooded killer or a gallant bent on courting her? "I don't think 'tis a good idea."
    His expression darkened. "We're alone here in this room and I'm not attacking you."
    That was true, but mayhap he was trying to lower her guard.
    "You don't trust me," he stated firmly. "Why? Do you think I'm like my brother, Nolan?"
    Her heartbeat sped up. She'd not expected him to confront her about how she felt about him. And she certainly couldn't tell him why she didn't trust him. To do so could endanger her life. The Keiths would still seek revenge against him if they learned of what he'd done eight years ago. Lyall was to