“Jack looked at the paper. Devonsgate had listed all twelve footmen: John, Mark, Luke,Thomas…Bloody hell, his butler had hired the entire New Testament.”

“Jack took the note:My lord, Lady Kincaid announced she would be out this evening. When I asked where, she said shewas going “carousing.” That is a direct quote. Please advise. Devonsgate.”

“As Jack began to climb the stairs, Fiona looked up at her new home. Five stories of stately mansionrose above her head. Heavy molding around the large windows and doors bespoke a quality andcraftsmanship that was obvious even in the dim night. “Good God! It’s massive!”Jack paused with his foot on the last step. “I do wish you’d keep those comments until we are in bed,love. I would appreciate them all the more there.”

“Could he be naked beneath his breeches? Theyseemed molded to him, outlining the powerful lines of his thighs and the swell just above—Oh, God. She closed her eyes. She’d been looking at his—Not only was it rude, but it had sent anamazing tingle through her, almost as if she’d touched it.“Fiona, if you ever look at me like that again, I will not be held responsible for what I do.” Jack was soclose that she could feel his breath on her temple. “Do you understand?”

“Her honor will come to no harm at my hands,” Jack said.“’Tis not her honor but her tender heart that I worry about,” Alexander said.“She’s a delicate lass,” Hugh added.“Aye,” said Gregor. “A Scottish rose.”“Your tender, delicate rose had me ambushed, knocked unconscious, and forced to wed,” Jack groundout. “Facts you all know, if you’ve spoken to Hamish.”Dougal grinned, his teeth flashing whitely. “She has the devil’s own temper, our Fiona does.”

“Bloody hell, what did he hit me with? An anvil?""His fist.""You should put that fool in a bear-baiting pit. You'd make a fortune." Dougal struggled to rise.Sophia helped him on one side, Mary slipping under his other arm.The wind swirled a bit harder, sending dust into the air."Heavens!" Mary said, glancing over their heads at the sky. "That's the third thunderhead as has passed this way today."Sophia turned. A huge bank of thunderclouds hung overhead, roiling as if alive."We should get inside," she said uneasily.Dougal didn't even glance at the clouds as he held a hand over his bruised eye and cheek. "Bloody hell, I can barely see.”

“Sophia stood staring blankly up the stairs for an entire minute before it dawned on her that he'd used the kiss to befuddle her. Blast it all! She fumed to herself as she walked to the front window and stationed herself there.Time went by. The clock ticked. A bee buzzed against the windowpane. Dust settled. After thirty minutes had passed, Sophia had had enough. She gave the empty lane one last glance, then went upstairs.”