“I’ll have your fathers make something special,” Holly said serenely. “If it turns out we don’t like him, I’ll cook the next meal for him.”

“If you don’t stay away from her I’ll rearrange that pretty face of yours.- Simon”

“They won’t really shoot us, will they?” Faith whispered as they started forward.“I’ll pretend I’m in labor if they do any funny stuff,” Angelina said in a low voice. “Pregnant women always scare the shit out of men.”

“I’ll cry if I want to. You will cease orderingme about!”He raised an eyebrow. “You dare to issueme orders?”She flushed, but at least she wasn’t cryingany longer.“Now tell me about this brand on yourthigh. Your father’s crest. I’d like to see it.”176/756She went crimson and she backed up astep until her back met with the ledge of thewindow. “I will not do something so indecentas to show you my leg!”“When we’re married, I’ll see more thanthat,” he said mildly.“Married? Married? I’m not marrying you,Laird. I’m not marrying anyone. Not yetanyway.”

“If I have to bar the door, I will. I can be avery accommodating man, lass, but you’vesorely tried my will. I’ve given you until tomorrowto trust me with whatever you’rehiding. After that, I can promise you won’tlike my hospitality any longer.”“I don’t like it now,” she said crossly. Shewaved her hand in his direction. “You canleave. I’ll only be going to bed now.”

“Oh hell. A warm, lush, naked woman coming on to him? Nothing in the military had prepared him for an onslaught like this. The never-surrender thing went right out the window, and he started waving the white flag like a dog wagging his tail.”

“His gaze narrowed and she could see hishands twitching again like he’d love nothing more than to throttle her. She was beginning to think it was an affliction of his. Did he go around wanting to choke the life out of everyone or was she special in that regard?“I’m afraid ’tis an urge that is entirely original to you,” the laird barked.She clamped her mouth shut and closedher eyes. Mother Serenity had vowed one day Mairin would regret her propensity to blurt out her least little thought. Today just might be that day.”