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He closed the book with a decisive thud and turned to Broderick. “Good work, lad. ’Tis clear you’ve been a steady hand in keeping things running smoothly.”

Broderick tilted his head toward Davina. “’Tis Lady Davina, not I, who manages the vast majority of the responsibilities, milord.”

Tammus’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And what part do ye play, then?”

“As much as milady will allow,” Broderick replied smoothly.

The corner of Tammus’s mouth twitched in irritation. “Well, this arrangement won’t be lasting much longer. Once she’s married by the end of the month, you’ll no longer need to burden yourself with my niece.”

“Nay burden a’tall,” Broderick said evenly.

Tammus grunted, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. He gestured toward the books on the desk. “I’ll look these over later and let you know if I’ve any questions.”

Davina stood stiffly, her hands clasped behind her. The subtle flush in her cheeks betrayed her anger, though she kept her expression neutral. Broderick could feel her frustration pressing against the edges of his mind, prickling and bristling.

“He’ll never admit that a woman can manage this estate as well as any man,” she thought bitterly.

Broderick caught her eye briefly, giving the faintest tilt of his head as if to remind her to keep her composure. She straightened her posture and waited for her uncle to finally dismiss her.

After a long pause, he gave a curt nod. “That’ll be all, Davina.”

She curtsied stiffly, the polite gesture at odds with the fire blazing in her eyes. She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her once more. “Not you, MacDougal. Stay.”

She froze, her frustration flaring. “Uncle, if this concerns me—”

“This is a conversation for the men,” Tammus interrupted, waving a dismissive hand. “Off with you now.”

Her hands clenched, the tension radiating from her like a smoldering bonfire. Broderick thought she might express her simmering fury, but she bit her tongue and strode from the room. The door closed behind her with a click, leaving Broderick alone with Tammus.

Tammus paced toward the hearth, his hands clasped behind his back. “Since my niece has trusted you thus far, tell me, lad—do you think you can convince her to pick a suitor?”

Broderick leaned against the edge of the desk, his posture deliberately relaxed. “She’s a strong-willed woman, milord. But aye, I believe I can help her see reason.”

“Reason, eh?” Tammus’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “She’s difficult, that one. Always has been. ”

Broderick nodded. “Aye, but some men might enjoy that type of fire in a wife. She’s intelligent and capable, milord. She runs a tight household and knows her father’s business better than most men would. Any man lucky enough to wed her would have a fine helpmate.”

“I can tell you respect her.” Tammus turned, his pleading gaze fixed on Broderick. “It’d make my life a hell of a lot simpler if you’d just wed her yourself, lad.”

The words hung in the air like ripe fruit, heavy and waiting to be plucked. Broderick lifted a brow, caught off guard despite himself. From the corner of his mind, he sensed Davina’s presence just beyond the study walls—her frustration spiking, seething, even through the stone.

Tammus pressed on. “You seem compatible enough. She already trusts you, and you’ve proven yourself capable. Surely you see the value in marrying her—land, property, a prosperous business to inherit.”

The temptation hit Broderick harder than he expected. To have Davina in his bed—permanently—her fire his to tame, or be consumed by, was no small enticement. She was unlike any woman he’d known. He could too easily see himself giving in to her challenge, claiming her as his own.

But the fantasy darkened as fast as it bloomed. He wasn’t just a man. He was a Vamsyrian—an immortal predator shaped by darkness and blood. To draw her fully into his world would be to risk everything she held dear.

He straightened, schooling his voice into something calm and unreadable. “I appreciate the generous offer, milord. Truly. But I’ll have to decline—for personal reasons.”

“Fancy someone else, do you?” Tammus sighed, shoulders sagging slightly as he turned back to the hearth. “A shame,” he muttered. “Still, I thank you for your candor. Just…get her married off. I can’t bide here much longer.”

Broderick dipped his chin. “I’ll do all I can to ensure she submits.”

Tammus didn’t catch the subtle curl at the corner of Broderick’s lips. The double meaning passed unnoticed—lost on the older man as he stared into the fire. But Broderick savored it with dark satisfaction.

Getting Davina to submit would be his pleasure.

Davina paced the length of the foyer, chewing the inside of her mouth.

Arms folded tightly, her nails bit into her sleeves.

The closed study door loomed behind her, silent and imposing.

What could her uncle possibly be saying to Broderick?

Her thoughts whirled with scenarios, each worse than the last.

What if Uncle Tammus saw through her plan?

What if Broderick said something careless—or worse, lost his temper?

He seemed capable enough, aye, but she didn’t know him well enough to trust that he’d hold his own against her uncle.

And Tammus could be…formidable. He had a way of dismantling a person with nothing more than a look.

Davina clenched her jaw and turned on her heel, her thoughts racing.

But Broderick is no ordinary man, is he?

She recalled how he’d stood his ground earlier, calm and unflinching.

There was a dark intensity about him, a quiet power that made her stomach twist in ways she didn’t dare examine.

But what if that same intensity led to a clash?

If he and Tammus came to blows, it would ruin everything.

The uncertainty gnawed at her, tangling her thoughts into knots. She was so caught in her frantic pacing she nearly jumped when the front door opened.

Rosselyn startled as well. “Oh, Davina.” Her cheeks flushed pink as she turned to close the door behind her. “What are ye doing just pacing here?” Rosselyn’s gaze shifted to the study door, brows arching. “Good gracious. Is that a suitor in there already?”

“Shush.” Davina cast a wary glance toward the closed door. She couldn’t hear a thing through the thick wood, but for her own peace of mind, she grasped Rosselyn’s arm and tugged her into the Great Hall, closing the doors behind them.

“Nay,” she whispered. “Uncle Tammus is not in there with a suitor.”

Rosselyn tilted her head, curiosity deepening. “Then what has you pacing like a caged beast?”

Davina sighed and slumped onto the bench, her hands wringing together. “He’s in there with Broderick.”

Rosselyn blinked. “Broderick? The fortune teller’s son? Why? Are you considering him as a husband?”

Davina scoffed. “Of course not! I don’t want to marry anyone, let alone him.”

But the words felt hollow, and her mind betrayed her with a fleeting image of Broderick.

The thought of having him in her bed on a more permanent basis gave her pause—a flicker of temptation she quickly dismissed.

Men always came with expectations, with notions that women had no say in any matter.

Passion-filled nights were hardly worth the arrangement.

“I asked him to accompany me when I meet Uncle Tammus’s suitors,” she said, hoping to leave it at that.

Rosselyn’s eyes narrowed, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Ah, I see. You’re going to use the Gypsy to read their minds?”

Davina stiffened, her cheeks warming. “I just want him to tell me if the men have good intentions,” she defended. “If they’ve a propensity for heavy-handed discipline, I want no part of the union.”

“And if he discovers they’ve a particular dislike for something?” Rosselyn voice dripped with sarcasm. “You wouldn’t dream of taking advantage of that, would you?”

“Well…perhaps.” Davina shrugged, feigning innocence. “Oh, and we’re telling Uncle Tammus that he’s a shepherd from the village and not that he’s from the Romani caravan.”

“Ah, that reminds me.” Rosselyn reached into her smock pocket and sat beside Davina. “I secured some ointment for yer hands when I was picking up more autumn crocus for yer mother’s rheumatism.”

“Thank you.”

When Davina took the jar and bottle, Rosselyn noticed the new wrappings. “Oh, you tended the wounds yourself?”

“Amice did.” The old Gypsy was the one who told Davina about using careful doses of autumn crocus for her mother’s joint pains while they were in Aberdeen. “That woman is a miracle worker.”

“Aye, she is.” Rosselyn laughed but shook her head. “As for your little plan with Broderick? ’Tis a bit risky. If Tammus finds out, he’ll marry you off to whomever he pleases, and you won’t get a choice.”

“Well, Uncle Tammus won’t find out,” Davina said firmly. “He’s already agreed to let Broderick accompany me, and the first suitor arrives on the morrow.”

Rosselyn arched a brow. “Then what has you so nervous?”

Davina groaned and rose from the bench, pacing again. “I don’t want Broderick to foul this up! You should’ve seen the handshake they shared. I thought they were about to trade blows. You know how confrontational Uncle Tammus can be.”

Before Rosselyn could reply, Davina heard the creak of hinges and a thump.

She peeked through the double doors and spotted Broderick stepping into the foyer, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on her.

Her heart gave a strange flutter as those long, powerful legs carried him toward her.

The man’s casual stride commanded attention, and her core clenched as she remembered those same legs entwined with hers.

Mind your thoughts, girl! she scolded herself.

She opened the door and ushered him into the Great Hall. “Broderick, you remember Rosselyn, my handmaid, don’t you?”

Broderick inclined his head toward Rosselyn, a faint smile playing upon his lips. “Ah, the woman who has my friend Nicabar so infatuated.”

Rosselyn’s eyes lit up with interest. “He talks about me?”

Davina grabbed Broderick’s forearm, pulling his focus back to her. “What did Uncle Tammus want?”

“He wanted to know if I could talk ye into gettin’ married. The man’s under a great deal of pressure to settle this matter and return to his business, which, I suspect, might not be doin’ so well.”

Davina resumed her pacing, agitation spilling over. “If Uncle Tammus would just let me run the wool business in his name, he wouldn’t have to worry about his own.”

Broderick chuckled softly. “’Tis obvious stubbornness is a family trait.”

Rosselyn rolled her eyes. “Truer words have never been spoken, sir.”

Davina scowled at both of them. Broderick grinned.

“I should tell ye,” he said, stepping closer. “I won’t be able to accompany ye until after the sun goes down. I’ve told Tammus I’ve commitments durin’ the day, and he’s agreed to accommodate.”

Davina frowned. “Why only at night? That severely restricts our schedule. What if the suitors engage with me during the day? Can I fetch you from the camp?”

“Nay, milady. I’ll be unavailable.” He held her gaze, his tone firm. “Yer no’ payin’ me to be at yer beck an’ call all manner o’ hour. I have me own commitments to keep to the Gypsies. Do we have a deal? I’ve promised to help ye, and we’ve settled upon the payment.”

He cocked an eyebrow, and Davina bit her tongue, unwilling to discuss the terms in front of Rosselyn, although the heat burning her cheeks might give her away. “Aye,” she said reluctantly. “We have a deal.”

Broderick sauntered toward her, the heat of his body an aphrodisiac to her agitated senses. He slipped his fingers into her hand and pressed a sensual kiss to her knuckles, his tongue briefly darting out to tease her skin. She snagged her bottom lip in her teeth.

“Then I’ll see ye morrow eve.” He stepped past them and disappeared through the hall.

As soon as Broderick closed the front door behind him, Rosselyn whipped toward Davina, her expression sly. “Are you sure you don’t want to marry him?”

Davina scoffed. “What I really want is to go to bed. This has been a trying day, and it seems the week will be no better.”

Rosselyn laughed. “I’ll bring you some chamomile tea.” She kissed Davina’s cheek and strode toward the serving room, which led to the kitchens.

Davina climbed the stairs to her bedchamber, where Myrna sat near the hearth with Cailin.

Her knitting needles clicked softly as her toe nudged the cradle in a slow, steady rhythm.

The firelight flickered over her calm face, which turned to Davina, and she smiled.

“Ah, your timin’ couldn’t have been better, milady.

The wee bairn was just beginnin’ to stir. ”

“Thank you, Myrna. I’ll feed her and put her abed myself.”

“As you wish.” Myrna picked up her bag of yarn and needles and waddled out of Davina’s chamber, closing the door behind her.

Davina unlaced her bodice and set aside the heavy protective padding. “Hello, Sweetling,” she cooed as she picked up her babe.

Cailin grinned at Davina with sleepy eyes.

Taking the same seat Myrna vacated, Davina settled the baby onto the pillow across her lap.

Cailin eagerly latched on to Davina’s nipple.

She winced, then sighed as the pressure in her chest eased.

Moments later, she switched her babe to the other side, and once Cailin dozed off, Davina carried her into the nursery adjacent to her chamber.

By the time she closed the door, Rosselyn was setting up Davina’s tea by the hearth.

Her handmaid helped her undress down to her shift and warmed Davina’s bed before she said good night.

Davina sank onto the cushioned chair in front of the fireplace, rubbing the hand Broderick had kissed. The heat of his lips lingered like an ember, sending a shiver through her that reached places she didn’t want to acknowledge.

“Nay,” she whispered to herself. “Broderick MacDougal is a wandering Gypsy. I don’t need a reckless man like him permanently in my life making demands.”

But the protest rang hollow. Her body betrayed her, recalling the press of his mouth against her skin, the surge of her heartbeat beneath his touch. She shook her head, as if the motion might dislodge the memory, and reached for her tea. One sip, then another—but the warmth did little to calm her.

Setting the cup aside, she climbed into bed and drew the covers up to her chin. She’d get through this suitor business, she told herself. Prove her plan to Uncle Tammus. Win her independence. She clung to that hope as tightly as she clung to her blankets and drifted into a fitful sleep.