Seduced by a Highlander Read Free Page B

is hope fer me yet.”
    “Not according to yer sister, and she knows ye best.”
    “What would ye like to know?” He offered her his arm, and this time she accepted.
    “I only have a moment or two…”
    “Och, then ye’d best make yer question a good one.”
    She tapped her finger to her chin while they walked the vast lawns. “Verra well, I have it. Why does yer sister think ye are an arrogant imbecile… among other things?”
    “Verra good,” he commended her with a somewhat worrisome crease dipping his dark brow. “Ye’re clever and bonnie.”
    She narrowed her eyes on him and cut him a knowing smile. “So are ye.” She almost gasped at her own boldness, but his disarming candor made her feel at ease.
    “How am I supposed to answer yer query truthfully after ye called me bonnie? Pick a different question.”
    She laughed, and it felt wonderful. “No. The same question. Answer, please.”
    “Hell, let’s see then. Well, she thinks I am always reckless.”
    “Are ye?”
    “Nae, I am simply less concerned with every consequence.”
    “Then ye are reckless indeed.”
    He nodded and held up a finger. “But no’ always. I said less concerned, no’ unconcerned.”
    She gave him the point, enjoying his shrewd banter. “Are ye less concerned or unconcerned with the consequences for a lady’s reputation if she flees back inside a palace with her curls drooping against her flushed cheeks?”
    He turned around slightly, as if just now remembering the one he had hidden behind the sculpture. “If she is eager to put her reputation in my hands after one day of knowin’ her,” he said, settling his gaze on Isobel again, “then I would be more inclined to be less concerned.”
    “I see. Well, ye are honest, at least.”
    “Go on,” he teased. “I would much rather listen to ye list my virtues than tell ye my faults.”
    “Are there many more then?”
    “That depends on who ye ask.”
    “I think in this instance I would prefer to make my own judgments.”
    “That is refreshin’ to hear.” He looked surprised and so sincerely relieved that for a moment Isobel wondered just how troublesome this man truly was.
    She should go back inside and see to her brothers, but damnation, she was enjoying herself. What harm could come from just walking together? It wasn’t as if she was going to let him kiss her behind the next structure they came to, although she could certainly understand why some stately, normally stuffy ladies at court would cast away their reputations for a few stolen moments with him. The more she looked at him, the more irresistible he became. She wasn’t certain if it was his quicksilver smile or the way his eyes took in every nuance of her face when he gave her his full attention that beguiled her good sense. At the moment, she didn’t care. She liked the way he looked at her, as if she was more than a mother, a nursemaid, and a cook to her brood of brothers. Not that she minded being those things. She loved her family more than anyone else in the world, but it was nice to forget her duties for a little while, especially knowing now that he would help her with Alex.
    “What aboot ye?” he asked as they approached the west gate. “What would yer brother say aboot ye?”
    “That depends on which brother ye ask.” She smiled, thinking of the ones she’d left at home with Patrick. “I have six.” She rolled her eyes heavenward and nodded in agreement when he gave her horrified look. “The three youngest would likely complain that I give them too manychores to do, but it would be untrue, for they play much more than they tend to them. Cam might tell ye I am too soft, while Patrick thinks me as stubborn as our bull.”
    “Yer bull?” he asked, slanting her a wry grin. “Is there one in particular that ye remind him of?”
    “We have only the one, but he is all we need, since we have only two cows.” She was sorry she had told him the moment after she spoke when his smile faded