Page 319 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Victoria tilted her head. “You are most gallant.”

He flashed a broad smile. “You are most kind, chérie.”

“We were not properly introduced last night.”

His eyes lit with mischief. “You made that impossible.”

She shook her head. “I will not tell you my name.”

“Do you believe it will matter to him?”

“Nay,” Victoria answered with a resignation she hadn’t expected. Shaking off the disturbing feeling, she regarded the cousin. “Forgive my curiosity, but I cannot help noticing you are not like the other men here.”

“Oh? How would that be, my lady?"

“Your speech is educated.” She ignored the amused raise of his brow. “You speak French. Is that common?”

“Not so common.”

“Then you are not Scottish?”

“That depends on who you ask. My mother was

French and my father a Highlander.”

“Then you are Scottish.”

He laughed. “The Highlanders do not consider themselves Scottish, and the Scots tend to agree.”

Victoria frowned. “Ridiculous.”

“It is the way of things.”

“Was your mother also stolen and forced to marry your father?”

A corner of his mouth twitched. “Nay. She married him of her own free will.”

Victoria made a face. “Oh.”

“Is it difficult to believe a woman would freely choose to wed a Highlander?”

“It seems unlikely,” she replied. “But your mother was allowed a choice?”

He nodded. “Everyone has choices, chérie.”

“That is easy for you to say. You are a man.” Before he could comment, she said, “What is your name, sir?”

He cocked a dark brow. “You think it fair to know my name when you will not tell me yours?”

“You are at a disadvantage, my lord, as there is no one to enlighten you.”

“Am I now?”

Something in his manner gave her pause. “Unless you find yourself possessed of second sight.”

“I have been told I have an uncanny way.”

Victoria smiled. “Oh, aye, I can see, ’tis the truth. A French Scot, er, French Highlander…uncanny would be the word.”