“Why did you bring me out here?” she asked, with a shiver.
“Are you cold?” he asked.
“No. Actually I rather prefer the cold.”
“Aye, so do I.”
She looked at him for a long moment with a puzzled expression.
“Why are we out here? What everyone must think we are doing?”
“Ack, tis only the McTavish Clan. They probably think we’re having a row.”
“And they would be correct,” she said quickly. “You had no right to pull me away from that gentleman.”
“Save your praises for a better man. Jared isn’t a saint.”
“He’s a sight more well-behaved than you.”
Graham took a step towards her. “I’ll have you know, I’m the most levelheaded Scot for a hundred miles.”
“Ha,” Hope said boldly. “If you’re the most levelheaded, I should return to England at once.”
“Aye, perhaps you should,” he snapped. “You being here is causing far too much trouble for me already.”
His annoyance, desire and agitation seemed to reverberate between them. She titled her head, as if it were hard to understand him.
“What do you mean? I’ve not done anything.”
“You have,” Graham said, crowding her in a way that demanded she crane her neck back to see him. “Since before you got here. Never have I known a woman to cause such trouble before I even met her.”
“That’s hardly fair. You didn’t know me before I arrived.”
“Aye, and now I do.” His voice dropped slightly as he glared down at her. “And I was right. You’re nothing but trouble.”
His words seemed to have an odd effect. Hope stared at him, pain crossing her face, and Graham hated himself. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her, but Lord above, he couldn’t be conned into marriage just for a house.
His fingers moved through his hair. It was hard to focus with her so close.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” she said softly as her hand rose to her chest. Toying with the brooch, she appeared unaware of the fact that she was fidgeting. A click sounded, followed by asmall snapping noise. “But it isn’t my fault that you find me so terrible.”
Damn it.Graham groaned.
“I don’t find you terrible,” he said, feeling compelled to apologize. She clicked her brooch. “What I meant to say was—”Click. Click. He frowned. “I just find you—”Click. Click. He couldn’t finish his thoughts with that constant clicking, and the placement of her hand was rather distracting. “What is that?”
“What’s what?”
“That.” Graham nodded towards her chest. “What’s that noise you’re making?”
Her hand dropped instantly.
“It’s nothing,” Hope said quickly.
Too quickly.
“It’s something. Show it to me.”
“No.”
