The housekeeper walked in with a tray of tea and biscuits. She set it on the table by the sofa, glanced up at each of them, recognized the snapping sparks of antagonism in the air, then hastened from the room.
Taking a deep breath to settle his nerves, Lachlan responded in a controlled voice. “Believeit,” he said. “I have been celibate since the day you laid the curse, and I hope that gives you the satisfaction and vengeance you desired when you concocted it. But enough time has passed. Lift it now, and let us both move forward with our lives.”
She grinned teasingly, as if this were a game to her. “What if I say no? Whateverwill you do?”
He shut his eyes and squeezed the hilt of his sword. “Don’t test me, Raonaid. Just let it go. I beg of you.”
She frowned curiously at him, as if that was not the reply she was expecting, then moved to the tea table. “Would you like a biscuit?”
“I don’t want anything, except for you to lift the curse.”
Picking up the fine china teapot and placing the tip of her forefinger on the lid, she nevertheless poured two cups of tea, then sat down.
“Come and join me.” She patted the seat cushion beside her. “Tell me about this lady friend of yours. Is she an innocent? Was she seduced by your charms, and did she fall madly in love with you? Or was she a common slut?”
Lachlan’s blood began to boil in his veins, and he had to fight the urge to knock over that tea table and grab Catherine’s sister by the throat.
“Be careful what you say,” he growled. “You may regret it later.”
“Why should I? Are you going to beat me to a pulp? Force me to surrender? That’s not your usual style, Lachlan. I would expect it from Angus, but not you. You’ve always had such a talent for seduction. That’s how you usually get what you want, isn’t it? Why don’t you try your skills onme? See how far you can get.”
He stepped forward. “Lift the curse now, Raonaid, and then I’ll tell you why I’m here.”
She regarded him over the rim of her teacup as she brought it to her lips. “Thatis not the reason? I thought it was.”
“There’s more. A great deal more.”
She set the cup down and paused uncertainly. “Are you here because of Murdoch?” she asked. “What have you heard?”
“I heard that he wants to stir up another rebellion—but no, lass. That’s not why I’m here, either.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense.”
“Lift the curse, and I’ll explain.”
For a long moment, she studied him in the morning light beaming in through the front windows; then her features seemed to relax. He had seen that expression before and knew she intended to toy with him a bit more, but his patience was wearing thin.
Leaning back, she stretched an arm across the sofa cushions and shook her head. “Oh, Lachlan. Have you really been so very lonely all this time? Have you not enjoyed the love of a woman? Not at all?”
“I’m not a killer,” he said.
Her brow furrowed with surprise. She seemed almost fascinated by his reply. “But you cannot be serious. Did you really think it was true? For three years? Even on that night…?”
He stood motionless, his body tense, as he glowered down at her. “What are you saying?”
“What do you think I’m saying?”
A deep rage began to burn heavily through his body. “Are you telling me that it was a hoax? That it was never real?”
“Of course it was not real!” she blurted out with a laugh. “I havevisions,Lachlan. That does not make me a witch, despite what people think and say. I was only having a bit of fun. I was getting even with you!”
His breath came raggedly in his throat. “Then she is not in danger?”
“Who? Your lovely lady friend? The one who spread her legs for you yesterday? Only God can answer that. I will have nothing to do with it, nine months from now. That will beyourproblem.”
Lachlan couldn’t look at her. He turned around and laid a hand on the wall to steady himself.
It was not real.
