Page 30 of The Highlander Who Loved Me
Cheeky lass. At least she didn’t look on the verge of tears now. He far preferred her spirit to her sadness. “I’d say that’s unlikely, Miss Templeton.”
“Pity we’re not dealing with pirates. We might look for a map leading to a treasure chest—stolen riches, gold coins, and bright, shiny gems.” Her words came out with an air of flippant dismissal.
“These men are not pirates. Buccaneers have a code, a semblance of honor. Cranston and his thugs know nothing but cruelty and greed.”
Understanding lit her eyes. “That’s it, isn’t it?” She poked him in the chest with one pointed finger. “You think there’s a map.”
He should’ve known she’d puzzle it out. But he hadn’t guessed she’d fathom the truth so soon. “That is the most likely scenario.”
She snatched up the satchel. “You’ve gone mad. You will not damage this masterpiece in search of some imaginary document.”
“I have no intention of destroying the book in that bag.”
Her forehead furrowed, and that tempting mouth of hers thinned to a taut line. Her eyes narrowed with sudden comprehension. Tearing open the case, she yanked out the leather-bound volume he’d substituted for her treasure. The book dangled from her fingers as if she’d fished vermin from a sewer.
He bit back a smile. Did she have any idea how damnably pretty she was when her eyes flashed like that?
“Ye dinnae think me such a fool that I’d chance ye running off with yer prize? Despite what ye may believe, I’ve a brain in this thick skull.”
“You believed I’d flee?”
“Why would I think ye wouldnae? I’m not fool enough to underestimate any lass mad enough to deal with the likes of Ross and Munro.”
“As you well know, I had little choice in the matter. Just as I have no better alternative at the moment than to remain in your presence. What have you done with the book?”
“It’s secure. Even if those bastards find their way in here, they won’t get to it.”
The fire in her eyes softened. Emotion turned her irises a stormy blue gray. What had come over her? She’d faced danger without cowering, but now, the realization that he’d tricked her threatened to set her to weeping. Confounding woman. He’d never understand the likes of her.
He watched her gulp. Had she choked back tears? When she met his gaze, her eyes still shimmered.
“If any harm comes to that volume—or my niece—the guilt will lie on your shoulders.” Her voice did not waver.
“Your preciousFrankensteinwill come to no harm. For now.” The words slipped easily off his tongue. Not a falsehood. Not exactly. He’d no intention of tearing the tome apart in his quest. That honor would belong to his sister, Serena. If anything was hidden within the book’s pages, the canny scholar would be the one to detect it.
Anger hardened her sapphire gaze. “Very well. I’ve no choice but to go along with you. For now.”
Chapter Eleven
Connor stalked from the room to summon Harrison. His brother leaned against the kitchen doorway, devouring a square of Mrs. Duncan’s shortbread. The woman’s ability to blend a bit of flour, sugar, and butter into a near delicacy more than compensated for her less-than-proper demeanor.
A smile tugged at Connor’s mouth. God above, the biddy had shocked even him with her commentary on Johanna’s escape route. As for Johanna…well, the lass had gone six shades of red, that sweet mouth of hers pulled into a stunnedO. If he lived to be a very old man, he doubted he’d forget the look on her beautiful face.
“You think it’s wise to leave Miss Templeton in reach of a window?” Harrison’s question came between bites of shortbread.
“She’s not going anywhere. Not now.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”
“She knows those bastards are after her.” He met Harrison’s questioning stare. “As it turns out, she has good cause to be desperate. We will head out in the morning. She’ll need a bed for the night.”
“You believe it’s wise to leave so soon? Cranston’s thugs may still be in the area.”
“We dinnae have a choice. A bairn’s life is at stake.”
Harrison cocked his head. “A child?”
“The damnable fool brought his daughter to the Highlands. Cranston has her.”
