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“So do I.” Malcolm’s voice was low, but warning.

James ignored Davina’s gasp of shock and kept his eyes trained on his brother.Och, the battle lines are drawn.

“I see that I shall have to teach you another lesson in humility on the practice field tomorrow morning,” James taunted.

Malcolm’s expression remained calm, but his body went rigid. “Why wait until tomorrow? Fists work as well as swords. And the victor will have the honor of dancing with the lovely Davina all night.”

Davina cringed as a collective gasp went through the crowd standing near enough to hear Malcolm’s words. The indomitable will of both men seemed to gather strength and grow as they faced each other. ’Twas a sight to behold, and many eyes in the hall were fixed upon them all.

Well, she would not stand here and subject herself to such a spectacle. Fighting over her? Why the very idea itself was dimwitted. Slowly, she backed away from both men, the heat of embarrassment rising high in her cheeks.

Thankfully, the pair barely seemed to notice her. Nay, they were too intent on their foolish battle of manly pride.

With her as the prize! Honestly. She nearly laughed out loud at the irony, for she was no man’s notion of a female conquest. Indeed, virile men like James and Malcolm would be exasperated by her lack of feminine skills.

“There’ll be no brawling in my hall,” Aileen shouted, coming to stand between her sons.

There were a few cheers—mostly from the women—and many groans of disappointment from the men. Lady Aileen motioned for old Ross to play another tune and the man obligingly picked up his instrument.

Assured that the lady of the castle had her wayward sons well in hand, Davina decided now was the perfect time to make her escape. She wound her way through the dancing couples and quickly exited the hall. But in her haste to leave, she took a wrong turn and found herself in an unfamiliar corridor.

Pausing, Davina placed her thumb and forefinger on the bridge of her nose and pressed hard. ’Twas no wonder that her temples were throbbing. She drew in a deep breath and waited. Luckily, after a few minutes the pounding in her head eased.

She gazed down the empty hallway, debating which way to turn, then admitted the only option was to go back the way she came and pray that neither James nor Malcolm noticed her returning to the great hall.

Her restless strides carried her swiftly through the empty corridor, but then Davina saw a familiar figure approaching from the opposite side.James!She paused a moment, looking wildly for a place to hide, yet just as she realized there was nowhere to go, she felt a strong hand close over her wrist.

“Why do I get the feeling that ye’re avoiding me?” James asked.

Davina made an exasperated noise and murmured beneath her breath. “Nay, ye are mistaken, James. I’m merely tired. And my head hurts,” she added, realizing she had no need to feign an illness, for the pounding had indeed started again.

“Why did ye disappear so suddenly from the hall?” Davina’s mouth twisted. “Ye are an intelligent man, James. Do ye really not know?”

He lowered his chin and for a mere instant looked sheepish. But as quickly as it came, the expression vanished. “I’ll not apologize fer my protective nature.”

“I was hardly in any danger dancing with yer brother.”

“I disagree.”

She shook her head and turned to leave, but he took hold of her arm. “We’ve unfinished business.”

She let the exasperation she felt show clearly on her face. “James, I am not returning to the hall to dance with ye.”

“I was not referring to a dance.” She frowned in puzzlement and he circled her slowly. “Ye were going to kiss me this afternoon, but Lileas interrupted us.”

The air in Davina’s lungs tightened. “’Tis true that kiss between us might have occurred. But that moment has passed.”

“Then we shall share a friendly kiss in the spirit of the season.”

“What?”

“A friendly kiss,” he repeated.

“There’s no mistletoe,” she whispered weakly.

James regarded her with amusement. “We dinnae need it.”

He carefully guided her until her back was pressed against the wall. He reached for her waist and drew her forward. Their faces were only a few inches apart. James’s eyes grew dark with hunger and Davina felt a wave of heat pass over her when she realized the vulnerability of her position.