Amanda Scott by Highland Secrets Read Free Book Online Page B

said, watching her. “But you say you did not.”
    Though he spoke the words evenly, his tone did not fool her. With a deep sigh, she looked at her feet and said sadly, “Och then, ye dinna believe me. ’Tis but a matter of time now before Patrick Campbell sends for me, and I warrant he’ll no believe me neither. These Campbells, they do be a fierce lot, ye ken.”
    “I do. I am a Campbell myself.”
    The admission shook her, though she ought to have known, she told herself, keeping her countenance with difficulty. The authority he displayed in Edinburgh ought to have told her. He was clearly a Scot, not an Englishman, and nowadays in Scotland, the only men with his air of distinction and authority were Campbells or their ilk. And here she was, pretending to be one of them. No wonder he had asked about her father. She nibbled her lower lip, trying to think how best to respond.
    He said gently, “I thought you said you were a Campbell yourself.”
    “Aye, sure,” she said, “but not from the same branch as Patrick. And not all Campbells be as fierce as these,” she added, glancing at him from under her lashes.
    “What do you want, Mab MacKissock?”
    Hesitantly, as though she feared to anger him—which, in fact, she did—she said, “I didna ken what manner of household this were when I came. I hoped tae get work, but I did think Patrick Campbell’s wife were a-living here with him, and would look out for the maids. Being amongst all these men frightens me, my lord. I doubt any lass could keep her innocence if she remained long beneath this roof.”
    “I repeat then, what do you want?”
    “Do ye mean tae stay long at the castle, my lord?”
    “I leave at dawn,” he said, “for Balcardane.”
    “Balcardane?”
    “Aye, my uncle is the Earl of Balcardane. Do you know his estate?”
    She did, but she said thoughtfully, “’Tis a castle on Loch Leven, is it not? I ha’ family hereabouts, too, ye see. If I could but travel wi’ ye as far as”—she thought swiftly—“as far as Glencoe … mayhap ye could explain tae Patrick Campbell that I be afeared tae tell him I want tae go. I ken weel that if I just up and leave before my half day, he will think ’tis because of that rebel escaping. And just the thought o’ them asking me questions …” She looked into his eyes, widening hers as innocently as she could. “I’d be ever sae grateful if ye could, sir.”
    He stood up again, and suddenly she felt smaller and not nearly so confident. Her throat tightened, and she had all she could do to maintain eye contact with him. Then it occurred to her that she would be wiser not to maintain eye contact. No maidservant in her right mind would do so. With relief she looked down, forcing herself to breathe evenly, waiting to hear what he would say.
    It surprised her to hear amusement in his voice when he said, “If we burn the place down, Patrick’s not likely to listen to either of us.”
    Her gaze flew to him again, and she saw that he was looking at the floor behind her. Glancing back, she saw the scattered coals. Only one still glowed, and she stepped hastily upon it, saying, “I’ll fetch the hearth broom.”
    He said nothing while she swept the coals into the fire.
    When she straightened, he said, “I’ll take you to Glencoe on one condition.”
    “Condition?” A tingling sensation shot up her spine.
    “Aye, that you stay here with me tonight.”
    “But—” The tingling increased.
    “No buts.” With a crooked smile, he said, “I’ll do your bidding but only if I can do it without having to answer to Patrick’s mockery. He will never let me hear the end of it if you leave now, because he will know that you refused me and that I allowed it. He will wonder why I did, and indeed, I wonder at that myself.”
    “Ye said ye wouldna take me against my will,” she reminded him.
    “I meant it, but that does not mean I will enjoy hearing Patrick fling my generosity in my teeth. He will call it a