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“You are hers, son, and she is yours,” she countered.

He leaned over her, his voice cold. “Iwillnaeput myself in the same position Evangeline put me in. That is the end of it.”

Amice sighed, shaking her head, and shuffled back to her stool by the campfire.

“This woman is nothing but a passionate distraction. Once I’m done helping her with this suitor business, I’ll get my payment out of her an’ move on, once an’ for all.”

Amice poked at the fire.

Broderick glowered. “Do ye need anything before I go?”

“Non.” She didn’t lift her eyes from the fire.

Without another word, he left the camp, his frustration burning hotter than ever, ready to take his anger out on the first deserving lout he found in the village before heading to Davina’s castle.

∞∞∞

“I know what the stories say about Orion,” Finlay said, leaning forward in his chair as he gestured animatedly with his teacup, “but I just don’t believe that an honorable hunter like him, who had the favor of Diana herself, would be such a cad.Ithink Merope lied to her father when she said he…” He paused, lowering his voice conspiratorially, “forced himself upon her.”

Davina, mid-sip of her tea, nearly choked. “Good heavens!” she exclaimed, setting her cup down with a clink. “Then whatdoyou think the mythology meant by it?”

Finlay smiled, his pale green eyes sparkling with mischief as he tilted his blond head. “Oh, I think Orion’s only crime was losing his temper. Imagine it—he’s been toiling for the hand of the woman he loves, only to discover she’s been playing him for a fool. I think he gave her an ultimatum: marry him or it’s over. And when she laughed in his face, he got angry. But force her? Nay, I don’t believe that for a moment. Merope was a spoiled princess, and when she realized she’d lost her plaything, she told her father that Orion violated her out of spite.”

Davina blinked, stunned. “That’sexactlywhat I thought!”

Finlay’s brows shot up. “You’re jesting, surely.”

“Nay, I swear ‘tis true!” Davina said earnestly, her excitement bubbling over. She leaned forward, her hands clasped around her teacup. “I’ve always thought the story was full of holes. Why would Diana favor a man capable of such a crime? It never made sense to me.”

“I knew you were clever,” Finlay said, grinning. “But this? You’re full of surprises, Lady Davina.”

Davina laughed, a flush of pleasure warming her cheeks. She was surprised to find how much she enjoyed his company. Finlay was handsome, with golden-brown hair and an easy smile that softened his angular features. But it was more than that. He was witty and intelligent, and his sense of humor caught her off guard in the best way. They had been sitting here in the Great Hall since this afternoon, sharing their love of mythology and philosophy, and he didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by her knowledge.

It was refreshing.

She had been certain her uncle would present her with yet another pompous bore or brute, yet here was someone whosurprised her at every turn.

Finlay’s grin widened as he leaned back in his chair, relaxing completely. “I must say, Lady Davina, this has been the most entertaining conversation I’ve had in…well, years.”

Before Davina could respond, the air in the room shifted. A dark, looming presence filled the doorway, and her heart skipped a beat.

Broderick.

He stepped into the room, his broad shoulders casting a long shadow over the floor. His dark auburn hair, pulled back, was slightly mussed, and his piercing emerald eyes locked onto her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. His expression was dark, his jaw set, and there was a tension in his frame that spoke volumes.

Davina stiffened. She hadn’t seen him since he’d left her chamber so abruptly the other night. She had thought he’d given up on her entirely, deciding she wasn’t worth his attention after all. Now, here he was, looking as brooding and imposing as ever.

His eyes flicked to Finlay, narrowing slightly. Then they returned to her.

Davina swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around her teacup. The room felt colder somehow, the warmth Finlay had brought with his laughter abruptly extinguished.

“Ah!” Finlay exclaimed, standing and offering his hand. “You must be MacDougal. I’ve heard so much about you. ’Tis a pleasure to meet the man who’s been charged with protecting Lady Davina.”

Broderick’s gaze flicked to Finlay, and he slowly extended his hand. For a moment, the two men stood there, shaking hands, though it was clear Finlay was doing most of the talking.

“Um, Finlay McIntosh, at your service,” he said, though hisvoice faltered slightly under the weight of Broderick’s silence.

Broderick gave a curt nod, releasing Finlay’s hand before crossing his arms again. His dark eyes shifted back to Davina, pinning her like a hawk eyeing its prey.