Page 37 of Highlander’s Mercenary Lass

Trying her best to ignore it, Grace smiled.

"Ach, nay, ye've been a great help," she bluffed. "But I should be hitting the hay."

She indicated the grand four-poster bed in the center of the room. Grace had never been in a chamber so grand, but her excitement was chilled by Paton's presence.

"There's nay hay in this bed," jested Paton, knocking the side of the four-poster playfully. Grace felt sick. "I can check it oot for ye if ye like." Paton's eyes met hers, glimmering with their meaning. Grace felt even sicker.

"Ach, I'll take yer word for it," she said.

Warily, she looked at Paton. She knew men like this all too well, and normally they saw the sharp end of her tongue, not to mention her sgian-dubh. But in this context, she needed to be careful. Paton was an influential figure in this clan.

"Aye, ye'll be featherbedded whilst ye’re wi' the Duncan clan," said Paton suggestively. He even went as far as to give a wink. Grace blushed, then felt annoyed at herself.

"I can see that," agreed Grace, a little briskly.

She placed her knapsack on the bed pointedly. The room was beautiful, with richly carved furnishings, ornate rugs, and thick velvets draped everywhere. Undoubtedly, she would be comfortable in this chamber.

If Paton ever left.

But leaving seemed a long way from Paton's mind. He slipped his hand into hers, causing Grace's heart to speed up, but not for the right reasons.

"Well, I'll leave ye tae undress," he said softly.

Grace's heart nearly exploded at the word undress. She nearly thumped him one, there and then. With effort, she struggled to restrain herself.

"Aye, ye will," she said stiffly. Grace sent him a very pointed look and then said, "So I will bid ye a good night, sir."

"It could be a very good night," said Paton, still refusing to budge. He brought his aged face closer, causing Grace to shrink away. She couldn't help it. He was horrible, and one step more, and she would have pushed him away.

"Aye, it's been a braw night, but the lassie needs tae get some sleep."

Grace's heart skipped a beat. A voice behind her made her turn swiftly.

Andrew!