"I dinnae."
"Ye dae" Magnus leaned in, his mouth close to her ear. "Ye like it when I tease ye. When I make ye blush. When I stand too close and make ye forget what ye were goin' tae say."
Ada shivered. "Stop."
"What were ye goin' tae dae today, Ada? Before ye got distracted watchin' me?"
"Mairi. I was goin' tae see Mairi."
"Then ye should go." Magnus pulled back slightly, his eyes dark and amused. "Before I keep ye here any longer."
Ada fled.
She heard his laughter following her across the courtyard, warm and genuine and completely unfair.
Ada's face was still burning when she finally stopped to catch her breath.
God. She'd just stood therestaringat him like some empty-headed girl. And he'dknown. Had teased her mercilessly, standing there half-naked and smug.
And she'd liked it.
Liked the way he'd looked at her. Liked the heat in his voice. Liked knowing that he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
Ada pressed her hands to her cheeks, trying to cool them.
This was ridiculous. She was a grown woman. A married woman. She shouldn't be acting like a blushing maiden just because her husband had a nice chest and knew how to use his words to.
Movement caught her eye.
Ada turned. There—near the far wall of the courtyard—Donnan. He was moving quickly, glancing over his shoulder, clearly trying not to be seen.
Ada's embarrassment vanished, replaced by suspicion.
What was he doing? Where was he going?
She followed at a distance, keeping to the shadows. Donnan crossed the courtyard, slipped through the gate that led to the outer grounds. Ada hesitated. If she followed him out there, he might see her. Might realize she was watching.
But if she didn't follow, she'd never know what he was up to.
Ada made her decision. She moved toward the gate, keeping her steps quiet.
Donnan disappeared around the far wall, heading toward the cliffs. Away from the keep. Toward nothing but rocks and sea.
Ada stopped. If she followed him further, she'd definitely be seen. The path along the cliffs was too exposed, too narrow.
Damn.
She needed to tell Magnus that Donnan was sneaking around, going places he had no reason to be.
Ada turned back toward the keep. She'd find Magnus, tell him what she'd seen.
Their chamber. She could wait for him there. He'd come back eventually to bathe and change after training.
Ada climbed the stairs to the east tower, her mind already composing what she'd say.
I saw Donnan sneaking around. I tried tae follow him but lost him near the cliffs. I think he's up tae something.
She pushed open the door to their chamber, and stopped dead.
