Free The Great Scottish Devil by Starla Kaye

laird’s table. Of course she called back sweetly, “’Twill be my pleasure, Sir Gordon.”
    As she settled into her chair with a slight wince, he leaned down to taunt her. “Evidently yer bottom is better this morn, but no’ completely.”
    She reached for a chunk of bread from the platter in front of her. Then, smiling for those people nearby watching them, she hissed quietly. “Aye, ‘tis a bit tender yet, which I am sure pleases you.”
    Oddly, it didn’t please him. He sat beside her and sighed in disgust. “Now ‘tis I who must apologize. No’ fer the leathering, but fer teasing ye aboot it. We will speak nay more of it.”
    She faced him, her eyes dancing with mischief as she nibbled on the bread. He’d just reached for his mug of mead when she said sassily in a near whisper, “My bottom was warm all night, Lord Devil. My thoughts of you unkind at first.” She smiled. “After a while, though, my thoughts of you turned as warm as my body.”
    Brodie sucked in a breath at her boldness. Wanting to put a stop to it, he warned in a low tone, “Unless ye want another warming, a harder one, watch yer words.”
    The minx merely smiled even more but shook her head. “I would rather not. I will try to behave, to mind my words better.”
    They ate their meal in silence, but he was far too aware of her sitting beside him. The heat of her called to him, the scent of her tortured him. It was time he began a serious search for a husband for Annabel.
     
    * * *
     
    As she darted out of the paddock after checking on her horses, Annabel’s heart raced. She’d felt like someone was watching her all morning, wherever she went. Being alone in the near darkness of the stable could have been foolish. Now, as she hurried toward the gardens and the safety of being with two of the maids, she thought about the mysterious note she’d found yesterday. Ala…vow to kill Anna . The words had haunted her last night, had made her dreams frightening.
    “Are ye all right, lass?” Angus Gordon asked, popping up behind her.
    Annabel gasped and put a hand to her heart. “Where did you come from?” Why hadn’t she heard him? Had she been too lost in her thoughts?
    The tall, lean redhead gave her a slow smile, as if amused by making her nervous. His gaze moved over her in a way that had her shivering.
    When he answered, he ignored her question. “Ye look a bit pale, Anna. Mayhap ye’re not as well this day as ye’d thought. Mayhap ye should rest a bit longer. Let me escort ye into the keep.” He moved closer and started to reach for her arm.
    She inched backward another foot and avoided his touch. And she didn’t like the way he’d called her “Anna.” Only her father and Brodie called her that. “Annabel,” she corrected and then gave him a weak smile when he frowned.
    She drew in a steadying breath and said, “I thank you for your concern, but I am much better this day.” The paleness he’d commented on would have been a response to his surprising her. He didn’t need to know the specifics of why she hadn’t felt well enough last night to go walking with him. Nay, he didn’t need to know that it had been all Brodie’s fault. That he’d given her a sound leathering and ordered her to her room.
    “Ye look verra nice in yer dress this morn.” His gaze moved over her again and she saw his nostrils flare. “I look forward to walking with ye this night.”
    “Why are ye no’ with the other men in the lower bailey?” Sir Douglas asked in a bark. He strode from the side of the keep and his expression mirrored his anger.
    Although Brodie’s first knight had spoken gruffly to the other man, his eyes softened when he looked at her. For a second she wondered if he was who had been watching her this morn. Had Brodie assigned him the task of following her around, making sure she stayed out of trouble, and making sure she didn’t try to sneak away in her wagon? But that was a ridiculous idea. Douglas was far too