Free To Steal a Highlander's Heart by Samantha Holt

followed the
spiral stairs to the hall. Most of the men were gathered for breakfast,
occupying the two long tables that had been set up for the morning meal.
Shouting and the clatter of knives filled the large hall and Morgann grinned at
the sight. Many good men sat at his father's tables. He would surely do everything
in his power to protect them.
    His
gaze settled on Margot, sat at the top table, her lady-in-waiting at her side.
He narrowed his eyes as they conversed, heads together. Neither of them could
be trusted. While he did all he could to watch her and keep her from his father's
side, she was still the laird’s wife and there was a limit to his power. Somehow
she ensured his father stayed bedridden.
    His
closest friend, Finn, told him he was foolish to blame his father's ill health
on Margot but he knew it was her.
    Knowing
eyes connected with his and a sly smile skimmed across Margot's lips.
    Without
a doubt, the woman wanted his father dead. If he had succeeded all those years
ago, he would have had solid proof. As it was, none believed him, not even his
father. But his father was so blinded by her beauty and seductive ways.
    Aware
he was glowering, he stomped across the hall, briefly patting a hand to Finn's
shoulder as he sat at the end of the table.
    Finn
dipped his head in greeting and grinned. "Good morrow, laird."
    "Good
morrow."
    "Sleep
well?"
    Morgann
rolled his eyes as he caught the lewd edge to Finn's grin. "Aye, well
enough," he replied curtly.
    “And
how is our guest?" Margot leaned over, drink in hand as she pressed her
breast into his arm.
    "I
know not."
    "And
how could that be? Ye slept in her chambers all night did ye not?” She smiled
seductively. “Or mayhap ye did little sleeping?”
    Morgann
tried to shift away but she moved closer, thigh brushing his through her gown.
"I was there to ensure she didnae attempt an escape, naught more."
    "Are
ye expecting me to believe ye spent the night with a pretty lass and did
naught? Or mayhap she rejected ye?” Margot laughed lightly.
    “Rejected
ye?” Finn interrupted. “Surely not. Morgann has never been rejected by a lass!”
    “Naught
happened,” Morgann said firmly as he snatched a chunk of bread from the platter
in front of him.
    “Well,”
Margot declared, eyeing him over the edge of her wine cup, “no one will believe
it. Ye might as well have taken yer pleasure for she’s all but ruined now.”
    “Naught
happened,” he repeated through clenched teeth. “And anyone caught saying
otherwise will have me to deal with.” He glared at Margot and she backed away,
sniffing dismissively.
    Morgann
turned his attention to his meal though he had little appetite. He satisfied
himself with a long drink of ale. Being sat next to Margot often stole his appetite
but he suspected it was another woman who robbed him of it this day. Draining
his cup, he swiped his mouth with the back of a hand and caught Finn studying
him.
    "Ye
want something?"
    Finn
chuckled. "Nay, laird, naught."
    "Then
cease staring at me like some lovesick lassie."
    The
smile on his friend's face expanded at this. "I dinnae think I'm the one
behaving like a lovesick lassie."
    Morgann
groaned inwardly. If Finn recognised his idiotic behaviour then mayhap everyone
else had too. Though Finn knew him better than anyone.
    Instead
of confronting him, knowing full well that Finn took great delight in riling
him, he came to his feet, bending to address him briefly. "I've to see to
my duties. Will ye check in on our guest? I dinnae trust her and, in the light
of day, she may try something else." He turned and paused, a hand to
Finn’s shoulder. "And dinnae let Margot near her," he murmured.
    Finn
rolled his eyes and nodded. "Aye, of course. I'll no' let the little lass
get the better of me, never ye fear."
    Morgann
ignored the veiled insult, well used to Finn's antics. "Aye. Good day to
ye then. I'll come check on our guest shortly."
    Pushing
past the servants clearing away the food,