MacAllister.
She wouldn’t go back there alone would she? She wouldn’t be that reckless? What was he thinking? Of course she would. One thing he’d learned about Charlotte Douglas was that ‘strong-willed’ didn’t even start to cover it. If she was convinced MacAllister was involved in something illicit she wouldn’t stop until she uncovered the truth.
But if Boyd MacAllister caught her...
With a growl, he strode toward the stables, barking an order to the stable lad. Within moments, his horse was saddled, and he swung up into the saddle without breaking stride.
“Did she say anything to ye?” he asked the stable lad as he gathered the reins.
“Nay, my lord,” the boy said, shifting on his feet. “Just walked right by, looking like she had a purpose.”
That didn’t make Niall feel any better.
Digging his heels into his horse’s sides, he took off down the road at a gallop, dirt and gravel kicking up in his wake.
Charlotte, he thought.What are you doing?
***
CHARLIE’S EYES WIDENEDas she stared at Boyd MacAllister. Fear skittered down her spine. What was he doing back here? He was supposed to be in Edinburgh!
Her thoughts raced, trying to come up with a plausible explanation that would explain why she was sneaking around MacAllister’s home. She forced her hand away from her pocket where she’d stuffed the stolen letters. She lifted her chin, refusing to be cowed.
“I was looking for the privy,” she said. “I’ve come to visit with Angela.”
His eyes narrowed, pulling tight the scar that ran through his eyebrow and nicked the corner of one eye. Boyd MacAllister took a slow step forward, his gaze raking over her like a blade stripping flesh from bone. His lips curled, amusement flickering behind the suspicion in his sharp, dark eyes.
“The privy, is it?” His voice was smooth, but laced with steel. “And here I thought ye were a clever lass, Mistress Douglas. But that’s the worst excuse I’ve heard in years.”
Charlie forced a tight-lipped smile. “Why don’t you ask your housekeeper?”
“Perhaps I will,” he said, his gaze dropping—just for a moment—to the pocket of her dress. Her heart slammed against her ribs. Had he noticed the letters?
She shifted her stance, trying to look relaxed, even as fear clawed at her throat. “Last I heard, it wasn’t against the law to use someone’s privy.”
MacAllister cocked his head, his expression unreadable. “Do ye think I’m a fool? I dinna like games, Miss Douglas. And I like thieves even less.”
Her stomach dropped. Damn it. She fought to keep her expression neutral, to smother the rising panic clawing at her insides. “I—”
He stepped closer, and she caught the faintest whiff of clove and leather. “Spare me, lass. We both know whatever excuses ye are thinking up are lies. So why dinna ye tell me what exactly ye were doing sneaking about my house like a common thief?”
Charlie’s pulse thundered in her ears. She forced herself to meet his gaze, her mind scrambling for an answer, an escape—anything that would get her out of this in one piece.
MacAllister’s eyes darkened. “Unless, of course, ye found something ye shouldnae have.” His gaze flicked up and down her. “And if that’s the case, we’ve a real problem, ye and I.”
Charlie barely had time to react before MacAllister’s hand shot out, grabbing at the folds of her dress. She twisted away, but he was too quick, his fingers closing around the slit that gave access to her pocket—but not the one in which she’d stuffed the letters, thank God. He pulled his hand back, his fist curled around something small and gleaming. He opened his fingers to reveal a ring—an old, ornate piece of gold set with a deep green stone.
MacAllister’s mouth twisted into a mockery of a smile. “Well, well. What have we here?”
Charlie blinked, confusion warring with the fear already pounding through her veins. That ring wasn’t hers. She’d never seen it before in her life.
“I suppose ye’ll tell me ye’ve never seen this before,” MacAllister said, his voice dripping with mockery.
“That’s because I haven’t!” she shot back. “That’s not mine!”
MacAllister gave a low, dark chuckle. “No, I daresay it isnae. It belonged to my mother.” His eyes flashed as he took a step closer, looming over her. “And it was locked away in my study until just now.”
Charlie opened her mouth, ready to protest, when a voice rang out from the doorway.
