Page 11 of Scot of Seduction

“Relax, little Cat. Ye are quite safe with me,” Tad said when they were alone again. “I made a vow tae yer braithers tae protect ye, and I will see it through. That means I will be in that room tonight, nay matter what ye say.”

“Curious how the things I say never seem tae matter or make a blind bit of difference,” she muttered darkly.

“What ye say always matters.”

What did he say?

She jerked her head up from her plate, staring at him, wondering if she had misheard him. They stared at each other for a few seconds, then a different maid came over, making them both turn their heads sharply away.

This maid was astounding to look at in her beauty. With long dark hair plaited the back of her head, richly dark skin, and brown eyes that looked almost copper, she flashed Tad a smile with rouged lips. She was so beautiful that in spite of herself, Catreena’s jaw fell slack.

The maid placed the next tankard of ale on the table in front of Tad.

“We didnae order another yet,” he said softly. “Though I thank ye fer it.” His flirtatious smile was back in its usual place as he looked at the maid.

“It’s on the house. Me gift tae ye… a welcome gift.” She smiled back, sidling up to stand beside him.

Catreena began stabbing at the meat on her plate with great ferocity.

It is as if I am nae here at all. Have I blended intae the wall? Fer all this woman kens, I could be his lover!

The mere thought made Catreena’s cheeks turn pink and she squirmed in her seat.

“Curious, Tom tells me we have entertained yer company many times, but I dinnae remember seeing ye afore,” the maid said leadingly to Tad. “I feel I would remember such a man as ye.”

Tad chuckled as Catreena muttered darkly, “A little obvious, eh?”

Tad flashed Catreena a warning look, but the maid didn’t seem to have noticed her words.

“Well, perhaps we have just been unfortunate tae miss one another, lass,” he leaned back in his chair as he spoke. The maid stepped toward him, running her fingers up the bare skin of his forearm, where a single black tattoo shone like ochre in the firelight. The tender and sensual touch made Catreena rage once again.

Rather than saying anything, Catreena turned in her seat and stared into the fire.

“Ye could get tae ken me tonight, sir, if ye so wish it.”

“I thank ye fer the offer,” his words made Catreena’s gut curdle. “But as ye can see, I already have company fer this evening. Goodnight tae ye lass.”

Catreena whirled around in her seat in surprise as Tad faced her completely, eating his food. The maid looked startled, her eyes wide like a deer’s eyes at the end of a gun, and somewhat embarrassed. Then she turned and scampered off, giving her attention to one of Tad’s soldiers instead.

“What did ye dae that fer?” Catreena hissed under her breath.

“Dae what?” Tad asked, seeming much more interested in focusing on his food now.

“Turn her down.” Catreena waved a hand at the retreating woman. “I ken ye. I ken ye would go with anyone woman who offered tae lift her skirts fer ye –”

“If that’s what ye think, then ye dinnae ken me anywhere near as much as ye think ye dae.”

“I’ve seen ye be hooked in by a woman on the strength of a smile or a flirtatious word alone. Yet tonight ye turn down such a plain offer? Why is that?”

“Ye are me responsibility,” he said with sudden huskiness, lifting his gaze from his food. “If ye think I would abandon me guard beside ye fer one minute, just tae spend a night with another woman, then ye really dae think the worst of me. If I want a woman’s company in that way, I can dae it at home when we’re safe. Nae here.”

Unsure what to say, Catreena sat back in her seat.

“Eat yer food.” He waved a hand at the plate. “Ye’ve stopped eating.”

Strangely, Catreena didn’t argue about his instructions this time. She tried to eat a little more, baffled by why the fact his keenness to remain beside her actually made her feel a little warmer. That heat had nothing to do with the fire beside them.

“Tell me, dae ye blush like that every time someone speaks of sex or just when I speak of it?”