Page 52 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

Scott turned around, immediately defensive, but seeing the look on her face, he instantly melted.

"Hmm," he said, giving Dunelm a friendly rub. Then he smiled at her. "An' so do ye too."

Now Scott's blue eyes were twinkling. Aileen felt unstoppably drawn to them. Never mind that she had, on paper at least, a fiance now. The only thought she had was Scott.

The beam of light holding them in its grip flickered and moved. Perhaps the stable door moved. Neither of them was really looking. All they could do was stare.

The beam widened, illuminating Scott's face and setting his hair aglow with a deep-red tint. Aileen, who had not noticed this before, found herself watching him, agog.

"I..." began Aileen. She had been about to reply with a retort, something about horses. She couldn't even remember now. All she was thinking about was his gaze and the red tinge to his hair. Suddenly, she found herself wondering, "Was yer mother a redhead?"

It just slipped out. Scott looked as if he had been slapped. Then, to her surprise, he answered.

"Um...she was." He stared at Aileen as if she was clairvoyant. Perhaps she was. Now his sapphire-blue eyes shone in disbelief. "Did...did ye ken her? What makes ye say that?"

For the first time, she had seen him off guard. Moving closer to him, she chanced it. Instead of backing off, he stayed put, allowing her to go over and stroke the top of his hair.

She had only been thinking about it, but suddenly her hands were caressing his soft crop of hair. Running it through her fingers, she marveled at the texture. Thick, springy, but as smooth as velvet.

"Ah, nothing," she said, edging backward. She was not sure of the look in his eyes. He did not back away, but then, he did not touch her. He was just there, staring at her strangely.

"Aye, my mama was a redhead," he began. Just for a minute, a small smile began fondly on the edge of his face. Then, it evaporated.

Scott drew his brow into a line, and his amusement dissipated. Watching his face, Aileen felt crestfallen. Just when she thought she was going to get some nuggets of information about Scott's past, it was gone.

And she knew nothing except that his sister had a bairn out of wedlock, whom he apparently helped out. She had heard this twice now and from different sources.

Unfortunately, he was yet to speak of it, something that bristled at her immensely. Aileen couldn't stay silent any longer. Glancing uncertainly at Scott, she continued.

"Ye were the toast o' the conversation yesterday, at dinner?" she said innocently.

That snagged him straight away. Instantly, she was in. "Och, about what? Should my ears be aflame?"

Aileen just laughed. "No, nae really. All good things..."

"I see," said Scott, looking at her fully. It was clear he wanted to know more. Aileen grinned.

"Och, dinnae fash. They were all vera impressed wi' ye for helping an' finding me there!"

Scott just stood, looking at her. How she wanted to run her fingers through his treacly black hair again, but she couldn't.

"An' it wasnae just that. They, um, mentioned how ye also help yer sister an' her wee lad an' all." Aileen's eyes flashed to Scott's. "Which is vera commendable, especially as she hasnae got anybody to help her raise him."

Aileen felt the gaze from Scott's eyes intensify. His demeanor changed. Now he stood upright and firm.

"What did they say?" he asked quietly. The menace in his eyes told Aileen she had said the wrong thing. Clearly, he was not impressed.

"Well, just that the wee laddie is born out o' wedlock, an'..." began Aileen uncertainly. She studiously avoided the word "bastard," but it hung in the air. Scott's cheeks colored.

"He had no right!" he hissed. "He shouldnae be talking about my family's business!"

Scott's eyes brimmed with righteousness. Suddenly, he was so angry that Aileen instantly stepped backward. Unsure what to say, she cleared her throat.

"So, yer nephew, he..." she began, fishing for information. "Ye've nae mentioned him afore. I just wondered why. Is he..."

Aileen was hoping that she might, at long last, find out some more about Scott. But instead of opening up, Scott's face was like a glacier.

"He's nae up for discussion," he said bluntly. Now he began to pull away, getting ready to mount Dunelm. "I dinnae want my family to be the topic o' hearsay!"