“Ye said it’s better to be cautious,” she said. “Then ye go swimming alone at night.”
“Oh, I doubt I will be attacked,” he said.
“Do ye now?” she asked flatly.
“Aye,” he said. “Unless, of course, someone has a death wish.”
“Or is smart enough to kill ye without a fight,” she said.
He shrugged. “Still a death wish.”
“Ye really think highly of yerself, do ye nae?” she said. “The almighty Laird MacMillan.”
He took a breath he seemed not to notice. “Ye wouldnae have come to me at the festival if ye didnae think I was brave enough to protect ye.”
The heat that rose then had nothing to do with the cold air.
Erica pulled the shawl tighter and tucked her chin. “Brave andsmooth. Ye are the real deal, are ye nae?”
“I am a laird,” he said. “Anything less would be undeserving.”
She stifled another laugh and watched the water lap at the stones. A flat rock lay near her boot. She toed it up and picked it. The weight sat right. She threw it out. It skipped once, then sank in shame.
Alex tried not to laugh but failed. The sound came out warm and surprised, and the knot in her chest loosened.
“Go on, then,” she said. “Show off.”
He took a stone, tested its edge, and let it go low and quick. It skipped twice, thrice, then sank under. He made a small pleased sound that did not fit the fearsome Laird at all.
“Ye are proud of that,” she noted.
“Aye,” he said. “A man takes his victories where he can.”
“Ye have plenty,” she said.
“I count them differently now,” he said. “Verydifferently.”
She looked at him, then away. “Do ye always win people over with this?”
“With what?” he asked.
“Charm,” she said.
He smiled a little. “Is it working?”
“Nay,” she said at once. “Absolutely nae.”
“Aye,” he said. “I'll take yer word for it.”
She groaned, more at herself than him. “Daenae do that.”
“Do what?”
“Act as if ye can see through me.”
“I can,” he said easily.
She set her jaw. “I am annoyed with ye.”
