“And Scotland could be overrun with pizza joints. Are you going to help me?”
His hardened gaze narrowed onto hers, so she mimicked his look. If he thought a simple disgruntled look would dissuade her, he’d never met her family.
“Find this book and you’ll find your answers, but donae say I dinnae warn you.” He swished over to the third painting of an old library. He gestured to one of the books in particular, making her step closer. The faded black, worn-out spine had symbols down the length instead of words.
“What does it mean?” she asked and turned to find Redbeard had vanished.
“What is it with you Scotts needing better manners?” Quinn yelled out just as Collin walked into the room.
“Who you yelling at, luv?” he asked, gazing around the empty room.
“Redbeard, your relative.”
“Ah.” He gave a slow nod. “You might have a point then. His mother ruled the castle with an iron fist. It’s said that the staff and nobles alike were afraid of her.”
“So, Redbeard’s mom was Gwinnie’s mother-in-law? Gwinnie and he were married?”
“Aye.”
“That explains a lot,” Quinn said, grabbing the sheets and recovering the pictures.
“Quinn.” Collin rested a gentle hand on her arm. “We should talk about what happened in your chamber.”
“Nothing to say. For a brief minute, you wanted me. I saw the need in your eyes, but it’s fine. My sexy American awesomeness scared you. It happens. It’s okay, really.” She smiled up at him, even though the wall around her heart had a new fissure. “I’m arm candy to ward off Blondie. There’s no need to pretend behind closed doors.”
“That’s no’ it.” Collin’s voice lowered to a deep timbre. “You’ve almost died twice since you’ve been here. I cannae seem to stop the attacks, but if I bed you, I’ll be even more distracted. Maybe ’tis best if Angus drives you over to the next town where there’s lodging, and maybe you’ll besafe. I cannae help but feel getting you away from the castle would redirect the attacks.”
Quinn rolled her eyes and patted his chest. She couldn’t help it. He was like a new toy that she’d been told not to play with. “First of all, you helped me up the cliff; I’ll give you that, but I didn’t die the first time or the second. Ye of little faith. But if you want me gone, I’ll go.”
“This isnae about what I want. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“So am I considering I’m stuck on your mothership and you have my face painted on canvas like your own personal Guinevere. I’m going to do the right thing and help you.” She patted his chest. “So it’s settled. I’m staying.” Quinn sidestepped him and sashayed out of the room with a little more sway in her steps, teasing and taunting him with her assets, which he’d denied himself the pleasure of getting to know better.
He followed as she jogged down the steps and made her way into the main entrance hall where she was halted by a parade of men carrying tables and chairs toward the ballroom. She’d forgotten all about the party.
“Come with me.” Collin caught up to her and took her hand, pulling Quinn toward the kitchen and out the backentrance where she’d tried to use her cellphone.
“You need better cell service,” she announced out of the blue.
“I need a lot of things,” he countered with a glance over his shoulder as he continued pulling her toward a little house on the property.
“Who lives there?” she asked, slipping her fingers free.
“Garth, the caretaker, but that’s no’ where we’re going.”
A seven-foot, big, burly man stepped out of the worn shack with an ax in his grip. Harness, the white-haired dog, was by his side. A long, dark beard hung down the man’s flannel shirt, and his dark gaze watched them. He reminded her of a cross between a lumberjack and a serial killer, and by the way he was looking at them, she guessed the latter. Quinn stumbled, and Collin caught her arm before she fell flat on her face.
She followed Collin and climbed the little Mt. Everest, wondering where on earth he was taking her. They crossed the bridge and entered the clearing where she’d seen him the first time on horseback. Her nose twitched in anticipation of nature surrounding her.
“I’m not going into the forest.” She stopped and propped a hand on her hip.Suffering from hayfever was not on her agenda for the night.
He let out a resigned sigh before sweeping her up into his arms. She could have protested if she’d wanted, but she didn’t bother. It wasn’t every day she was pressed up against a hard, manly chest. If nothing else, she’d remember the feeling and use it as material for her dreams.
“I’d never take you into the forest.”
Collin headed to the end of the clearing, where a small house, identical to the caretaker’s, sat. He lowered Quinn to her feet, letting her soft body slide down his length. His hard-on pressed against the apex of her thighs as he opened the door and ushered her inside.
She expected cobwebs, dust, and worse, but the small cabin was as clean as the room she was staying in. The furnishings were humble and made of solid wood, the cooking items antique. She loved every part of the small little house down to the beautiful blue quilt folded at the foot of the bed.
