Free The Dog House (Harding's World of Romance) by Nell Harding Page B

things, because it is quite different from the opinions of my peers and I find it refreshing to speak with somebody who is so candid in her views.”
    Fiona wasn’t mollified. “So, history, local culture or poetry?”
    “Let’s start with your menu suggestions,” he said, leading the way inside.
    The warmth was welcoming after the damp, chilly breeze and Fiona was grateful for the pause in the conversation while they looked over the simple choices written in chalk on the wall.
    “Will you be eating in or out?” a busy-looking waitress asked in passing.
    Fiona hesitated and was impressed that Colin waited patiently, still allowing her to choose the course of the evening. Her stereotype of the rich included a tendency to be bossy and controlling, but Colin was courteous and really didn’t seem to mind what she decided.
    “I was going to suggest outside, but with this weather I’m tempted by a table by the window instead,” she told him. “Is that okay with you?”
    He smiled broadly. “Anything is fine,” he answered mildly. “Although with you wearing both jackets, your inside option is quite tempting.”
    “Fine, then we can order right away because I’ll have what I always do.”
    “And I will follow your excellent lead,” he said affably, allowing her to order.
    Soon they were seated at a wooden table by the window, overlooking the low-tide sea and the stark hillsides rising far across the water. They received a few curious stares, but their immediate neighbours were a bunch of rowdy teens who took no notice of them, providing Colin and Fiona with a slight bit of privacy.
    “Well, now you can judge me on my expert views of fish, chips and local ales,” Fiona said, bringing the conversation back to where it had ended. “What other subjects do you want to hear me rant about?”
    Colin stretched his shoulders and settled back against the hard wooded bench. “Let’s start with your strong views on the English in Scotland,” he said, obviously not afraid of controversy. “Are we invaders and colonisers, best to be disposed of?”
    Fiona looked at him warily. “Historically? Politically? Now? Or on a more personal level?”
    He tilted his head. “So many ways to skin a cat. You’re right, let’s skip the historical-political commentary, which I think I can divine, and move right to the personal. Your opinion of the well-heeled Englishman choosing a home in the Highlands.”
    “In general or you in particular?” she asked, wondering if he was looking for a fight.
    “Since you ask, I’ve noticed that you seem to have well-formed views on me already,” Colin commented mildly, still sounding amused rather than offended. “Now, should I be flattered that you were curious enough to investigate my reputation? Or are you drawing on your pre-formed views of the idle rich, of which you take me to be the quintessential example?”
    Fiona chose her words with unusual care, not wanting to sound completely prejudiced. “I disapprove of elitism and snobbery,” she began cautiously.
    There was a twinkle in his blue eyes as he regarded her, obviously not perturbed by what she might say. She found herself wondering whether this was a sign of supreme confidence or whether he simply didn’t care what she thought and was merely entertaining himself.
    “So do you find me a snob?” he asked curiously, nodding with a smile at the waitress as she brought them each a pint of ale from the local brewery. “Slainte,” he proposed as a toast, winning a smile from Fiona.
    “I hear that you don’t mix and mingle much,” she accused him, ready to pursue the subject and to give voice to all of her misgivings about the man seated across the table from her. “With the locals, I mean. That gives you a certain reputation for elitism, sticking to clubs where only the select few can join.”
    His eyes studied her merrily over the rim of his pint glass as he took a sip. “ And you don’t find your academic circles