Page 67 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

“I do not know what you mean.”

“Are you glad to have married Viscount Weston?”

“He will make a fine husband,” she replied, at a loss as to how else she might reply.

Did he know something? Had Cameron said something to him about their marriage? Nae, he wouldn’t do that. Cameron suspected Mister Napier of kidnapping women. He was ultimately responsible for her kidnapping.

“Odd, but I had the impression Hunter had a penchant for blondes,” he said.

Alison blinked. “What?”

“I wondered who the brunette was that escaped Hera’s Garden of Pleasure, as we originally had only four blondes.”

Alison tripped. He yanked her tight against his body while keeping perfect rhythm to the music.

“I—Whatever do you mean?” Her heart pounded.

“I have yet to understand how you ended up with the other women.” His eyes narrowed. “Perhaps you can explain.”

He executed a dance turn, and the next thing Alison knew, he was hurrying her out a nearby, open balcony door.

Cool air washed over her. “Mister Napier, I do not wish—”

“Take care,” he whispered as another couple walked past them, headed back into the ballroom, leaving them alone on the balcony. “You do not want me to punish your husband for your mistakes, do you?”

Her heart raced. “I do not understand. Why are you doing this?”

They reached the balcony railing and his hold tightened. “How did you end up with them? Be quick with your answer. I am not a man to keep waiting.”

What should she do? Scream? She should scream.

He lifted her feet from the balcony and took the half dozen steps onto the lawn. “Did Hunter put you up to it?” he demanded.

Alison started. “Cameron would never endanger me—and when he discovers that you have threatened me, he will kill you.”

He gave a low laugh. “When I threaten you, my dear, you will know it.”

“Release me or I will scream,” she ordered.

“Society already thinks you are loose. You trapped Hunter into marriage. They will easily believe that you agreed to this stroll. Why did Hunter put you in with the other girls?”

“He didn’t know I was there.” She yanked in an effort to free her hands from his grasp.

“He didn’t know you were there? I detest liars, my lady.”

“You are a liar,” she retorted.

“Alison?” a woman called.

Alison wanted to cry. Erin.

“Mister Napier,” Erin called.

“Keep silent or I will take her along with you,” Mister Napier growled.

Erin caught up with them in the shadows beyond the light that spilled through the open ballroom doors. “There you are. Mister Napier, forgive me, but Lord Weston is looking for Alison.”

“Is he?” Mister Napier smiled. “I told him that his wife and I would be taking a stroll. Pray, tell him we are here in the garden.”