Page 45 of A Highland Bride Disciplined

“She’s just below, I believe,” Tam said carefully. “By the stillroom garden.”

Kian narrowed his eyes. “Alone?”

“Effie’s somewhere nearby. Morag too.”

“Good. I’ll speak with her.”

“And tell her what?” Tam asked. “About the nursemaids?”

Kian nodded. “She’ll want to ken.”

Tam hummed. “But will she want to hear it fromye?”

Kian ignored him and strode toward the stairs.Probably nae two days ago, but mayhap now, aye.

He spotted her from across the garden path, sunlight flaring against the edges of her copper braids. She was bent slightly at the waist, fussing with something near a low hedge. Her skirts flared softly in the breeze, and though she looked serene, the moment she stood upright and turned, she spotted him and froze.

Tam, trudging a half-step behind Kian, grunted. “D’ye want me to do the talkin’? Or are ye goin’ to start off by scowlin’ again?”

Kian gave him a look. “I’ll manage.”

They approached, and Scarlett’s expression tightened. Not in fury, exactly, but not fondness, either. Suspicion maybe.Does she remember or is she tryin’ to forget?

He cleared his throat. “Lady Scarlett.”

At the base of her neck, a brilliant shade of pink crept just along the hem of her bodice.

“Laird,” she said coolly, straightening.

He ignored the jab and nodded toward Tam. “Tam found a few candidates for the nursemaid post. He’ll present them to ye later today.”

Scarlett blinked. Her brow knit together fiercely. “How are ye just goin’ to say that and act like —”

She didn’t finish the sentence, but the question hung there.…and act like nothin’ happened?

Kian smirked.Oh, aye, she’s rememberin’. Good.

She flushed instantly.

Before either could speak again, Morag’s unmistakable stride pounded into the clearing.

“Tam Gallagher!” she bellowed, marching forward with a broom in hand like it was the Highland sword of legend. “Everytime I’m findin’ ye lurkin’ in the perimeter, there’s somethin’ amiss that’syercharge!”

“What are ye on about, then?” Tam said, though his firm voice faltered ever so slightly.

“Imeanthere’s three stablehands brawlin’ wit’ two o’ yer new guards up in the courtyard for the entire world to see. Ye’ve got two arms and two perfectly good legs. Go!”

Tam straightened like a church boy caught stealin’ communion wine. “I was under orders —”

“I’m hard-pressed to hear anythin’ else from yer mouth, Tam Gallagher,” Morag snapped. “So, shut it!AndI outrank yer daft orders when the keep is about to burn down. Move!”

Tam turned to Kian, pleading. “Tell her I’m on official clan business.”

Kian raised a brow. “Ye heard the general.”

“Traitor,” Tam muttered, then turned and stomped off after the housekeeper, who was already muttering about broken noses, wasted stew, and men with more brawn than brains about ten paces ahead of him.

Kian and Scarlett stood in stunned silence for a moment, the sound of jangling keys and grumbling fading into the distance.