“Oh,” she whispered faintly.
She did not know how she knew. He had not yet turned toward her. His face remained hidden from view, his back to her as he swam. And yet her body recognized him before her mind could catch up.
Duncan.
The realization struck her with such certainty that she felt momentarily foolish for even questioning it. Of course, it was him.
Who else would swim in a Highland loch at dawn as though the freezing water were little more than a morning convenience?
CHAPTER TWELVE
Duncan had known he was not alone for several moments before he chose to acknowledge it.
The loch was rarely so obliging as to keep secrets. Sound carried easily across its still surface, and even the careful step of a cautious observer could disturb the morning quiet.
He had heard the rustle of reeds and then, silence. It was that particular kind of silence that belonged only to someone attempting very earnestly not to be noticed.
He continued swimming for a few strokes, if only to confirm his suspicion. When he finally turned back toward the shore, the figure standing just beyond the reeds became impossible to miss.
Elaina.
Duncan’s mouth curved slowly.
“Well now,” he said mildly, water lapping softly around his shoulders as he paused in the shallows, “if ye intend tae spy on a man during his morning swim, lass, ye might consider choosing a hiding place that actually hides ye.”
There was a small gasp from the bank.
A moment later Elaina stepped out from behind the reeds with the air of someone who had been deeply wronged.
“I wasnae hiding.”
Her cheeks, Duncan noted with considerable satisfaction, were very nearly the same color as the rowan berries that grew along the castle walls.
“Of course, ye were nae,” he agreed gravely.
He remained where he was in the water, with one arm resting lazily against a smooth stone while the rest of him remained submerged. The loch clung to his skin and his dark hair in cold droplets.
Elaina did her very best not to look at him. Unfortunately for her, Duncan noticed that, as well.
“I merely happened tae be walking toward the lake,” she continued, lifting her chin with impressive dignity, “and discovered that the laird of this castle was…occupyingit.”
“Occupying it,” Duncan repeated.
“A most inconvenient discovery,” she added.
“Aye,” he said thoughtfully. “I imagine it must be terribly inconvenient tae discover a man swimming in a loch.”
Her eyes flicked toward him then, very briefly, and just as quickly away again. Duncan nearly laughed. Because she had seen the water sliding from his shoulders and the way it traced along the hard lines of muscle earned through years of training and battle.
And she was doing a truly remarkable job pretending she had not. The flush spreading across her cheeks betrayed her entirely.
“Ye’re free tae look, ye ken,” he said helpfully.
Her head snapped toward him. “I am nae looking.”
“Ye were a moment ago.”
“I most certainly was nae.”
