The Rogue: A Highland Guard Novella (The Highland Guard) by Monica Mccarty Read Free Book Online

drawings were very good, and he wondered if I might know someone who could encourage her to use her talents in a more productive way.”
    Pop. Just like that the bubble of anger and indignation burst, leaving him feeling rather silly. Perhaps he’d overreacted just a little. “Oh.”
    She gave him an amused look as if reading his thoughts. “As I recall you asked me to look at some drawings as well?”
    Damn, she was right. She laughed at his chagrined expression. “Besides, I think you are hardly in any position to be casting stones, my lord.”
    He stiffened at the jab that was not unwarranted. “That is what I should like to talk to you about.”
     
     
    Izzie regretted bringing the subject up. That was the last thing she wanted to talk about. She was doing her best to forget it ever happened, but he wasn’t making it easy. Just sitting next to him at the meal had brought back all sorts of unwanted memories.
    “There is no need, my lord,” she protested, wrapping her cloak around her shoulders. The wind had picked up a little and although they were protected in the monk’s herb garden—she could smell the rosemary and thyme with each gust—it was still a cool evening.
    Randolph wasn’t inclined to listen to her wishes. He was a man on a mission and would not be turned from his course. “Yes, there is. I owe you an apology.”
    Izzie squirmed a little. Dear Lord this was awkward. Did they really need to talk about this? “You don’t owe me—”
    “I make no excuse. I don’t know what came over me, but I apologize and can assure you it will never happen again.”
    He stood there so stiffly and awkwardly, something about the situation was so ridiculous, she couldn’t resist saying, “If you don’t know what came over you, how can you be sure it won’t happen again?”
    He seemed taken aback by the question and didn’t realize that she hadn’t meant it seriously. “Because it can’t… for obvious reasons.”
    “Because you intend to marry my cousin?”
    “Aye, among other reasons. Surely you can see...” He seemed unusually lost for words. “You… me… It isn’t possible.”
    Surely. It was obvious. As there could be no objection to her family or tocher—she was nearly her cousin’s equal in both—there was only one thing left: her. Obviously she wasn’t dazzling enough for him, and the wife of a great hero had to dazzle.
    Suddenly, she didn’t feel like jesting anymore; she just wanted the conversation over. “Of course.” She took a few steps toward the yard. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
    “Wait,” he said, stopping her by taking her arm. “I don’t mean to upset you. I just didn’t want you to be confused or jump to any conclusions.”
    She turned around slowly, her tone deceptively even. “What kind of conclusions might those be?”
    Clearly, he wasn’t prepared for her question as it had him flustered. “You are young and innocent. I was trying to have care for your tender feelings.”
    She stared at him incredulously, trying not to laugh, but his arrogance was truly too much to be borne. “My what?”
    “It was just a kiss. I know the feelings can be overwhelming and confusing to young ladies and…” He shrugged uncomfortably. “I just don’t want you to read too much into it.”
    She couldn’t hold it back this time; she laughed in his face. After one kiss—admittedly a spectacular one—the arrogant swine thought she was half in love with him!
    “You need not worry on my account, Sir Thomas.” She dismissed his concerns with a smile. “I’m not likely to read too much into something so little. What happened earlier was nothing more than a reaction to the danger of the situation. It might have happened with anyone.”
    “Little?” he growled angrily, clearly not appreciating her cavalier take on things. He’d put himself in the role of the one to do the letting down easily and didn’t like that she wasn’t playing her part. “I don’t know how many