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he said.
    “I’ve still got a lot to learn,” she said with a laugh. “I haven’t had much exposure to the world. Most of the girls I went to school with were much more experienced and sophisticated than I am. They came from families with money, and they’d traveled and had great clothes and the latest everything. ”
    “So you didn’t come from a lot of money but went to a fancy boarding school?”
    Ariadne nodded. “I was on a scholarship. I am here, too. My parents are comfortable enough, but didn’t have enough money. Dad’s a teacher, and my mom stayed at home.”
    “What does he teach?”
    “Math and science. I guess that’s what got me interested in business. He was always pushing me number-wise, if you know what I mean.”
    Matt nodded.
    “But I think I took to math naturally,” she added. “I guess it seemed like something I could control, even if I couldn’t control anything else around me. I . . .” She paused and looked at him. “I’m rattling on like an idiot, aren’t I? You must think—”
    Matt touched her shoulder. “I think you’re great.”
    Ariadne glimpsed the hand on her shoulder. It was long but wide and looked very powerful. His expression was one of intense interest. “You don’t even really know me,” she said in a low voice.
    “No, but I’d like to get to know you better,” Matt replied.
    And I would like to get to know you better, too, Ariadne thought but refrained from saying. She found that she was very attracted to him—there was no mistaking that—but she didn’t want to let him think she was desperate, either. “Why?” she asked.
    “You’re being disingenuous,” he said. “You know very well.”
    “Maybe,” she said teasingly.
    They heard the loud thwack of sneakers on the floor, then an even louder squeak as someone came to an abrupt halt near the bench. Turning in unison with Matt to look at the intruder, Ariadne felt her face burn with embarrassment.
    “Kurt,” she said, quickly putting on a smile.
    He shifted his gaze to Matt, looking at him with undisguised displeasure. He wrinkled his nose as if he smelled something particularly foul before looking back at Ariadne. “We’re supposed to go to the movies, remember?” Long, muscular arms akimbo, his feet spread in a wide stance, Kurt looked every inch the threatening jock bully.
    “Of course I remember,” she replied, rising to her feet. “I just didn’t realize what time it is.”
    “You were supposed to meet me out front five minutes ago,” Kurt accused.
    “I’m sorry,” Ariadne said. She looked down at Matt. “It was nice to talk to you.”
    He nodded, a tight smile on his lips. “You, too,” he replied.
    “See you later.”
    Kurt sized up Matt again, then took Ariadne’s hand in his, and they walked out of the room.
    Matt watched them, Kurt’s sneakers thwacking the floor as before. He was in sweats and a jacket, carrying a gym bag, and his blond hair was still damp from the shower. “Who’s the . . . ?” Matt heard him begin before his voice faded as they went through the arched doorway.
    What’s she doing with a jerk like him? he wondered. She deserves better than that. He sat lost in thought for a few moments, then reconsidered. The guy was good-looking. No doubt about that. He was probably very smart, or he wouldn’t have gotten into Williams. He was obviously an athlete of some kind. Still, he decided before getting up to leave, the guy’s an asshole, and Ariadne can do a lot better for herself.

Chapter Three

    T he stone castle crowned a rocky outcrop in Ayrshire, a massive gray testament to man’s ability to conquer savage nature. It had endured for centuries both inclement weather and the many onslaughts of rival clansmen, as well as the repeated efforts by generations of owners to put their personal stamp on it. As old as it was, the ancient structure had been thoroughly updated by the present laird, who lived in a much more recent mansion on the estate. The