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"Helpful fellows?" Mom- guessed. "Goodly sized?"

"Aye. Very goodly sized and well proportioned, if you take my meaning. Might you guess their purpose here?"

"Your personal secretaries?"

The smile lifted slightly. "The fair haired lad is called Cheval. Do you speak frangais, MacGowan?"

"Are you trying to tell me that he's not called horse because of his skill with steeds?"

She laughed out loud. "I have long admired the equine species," she said and began to circle again. He gave up and retrieved his plaid from the floor. "Horses, after all, have such impressive..."

"Intelligence?"

"Girth," she corrected and lifted her gaze to his as he sloppily wrapped the woolen about his waist. "I wouldn't have suspected you for a modest man, Gilmour of the MacGowan."

"No one is more surprised than I," he said and she laughed again.

"Am I too bold for you?"

"I've not crawled under the bed yet."

"Nay, but you have just hidden away what are, apparently, your best assets."

"Would I be a fool to ask again why you have come, Lady Madelaine?"

"You might well be shocked."

"A bit late for that, methinks."

"Then I'll tell you the truth. I've come to ask if you would like to make love to me."

Regardless of his reputation, he had never heard a sentence phrased quite like that. "What's that?"

"I can assure you I have learned a few things through the years."

"I do not doubt your skill," he said. "I but wonder why you offer since you have the horse man at your beck and call."

She shrugged and placed a hand on his arm. "As much as I admire his size, his technique is somewhat lacking. And from what I've heard of you..." She paused.

"In truth, me lady, it may be that me reputation exceeds me expertise."

"I suspected as much," she said and ran her hand down his arm and over his bent elbow, "until I saw Belva's expression."

Her hand slowed as she skimmed her fingers along one rib.

He held his breath. "Expression?"

"Aye. I've not seen anything quite like it. Euphoric," she said and dropped her finger to the next rib. "And yet still hungry."

She bumped over the last rib and traced a line between a pair of muscles stiffened with stress.

"Perhaps she should eat more," Gilmour said. "She is such a wee, small—"

"Why did you not make love to her?"

He drew a deep breath. "She refused me."

Her smile suggested that perhaps she knew a bit more about the situation than he did. It was disconcerting to say the least.

"Refused you?"

"Aye. 'Tis not unheard of, you know."

"Ahhh, then you must be frustrated indeed." Her fingers skimmed lower, along the edge of the plaid, and in that moment she raised on her toes so that her mouth was very close to his. "I could relieve that frustration."

"I've no doubt you could, me lady." And yet, in a manner that defied all logic, he did not want her to.

"Have we an agreement then, Scotsman?" she whispered.

"Me apologies." He said the words carefully. "I fear I cannot."

"I'm quite sure you can," she said and tickled her fingers across the rolling muscle of his abdomen.

He held his breath. "Mayhap I misspoke."

"Are you refusing me, MacGowan?" she asked.

" 'Tis not because you are unappealing, me lady."

"Then why, if I may be so bold?" she asked and continuing her trek, skimmed her fingers around his side.

He gritted his teeth. "The maid Isobel... interests me."

She lifted one brow. "The pope interests me," she said. "Thus far it has not prevented me from having my pleasure with others."

Her hand was already straying downward, and he caught her wrist just before it reached its destination. They stood inches apart, facing each other.

She smiled. "So you long for Belva?"

"Long? Nay. She is bonny. That is all."

"But she would be only one of the scores before her."

"As you said, that would be a goodly sum."

She watched him carefully as though reaching into his mind.

"Dozens, then?" she asked.

" 'Twould be unseemly for me to put a number to them."

"So you have not kept count?"

"Nay."

"Many do."

"I am not like many," he said.

"Aye," she agreed and tugged her wrist from his grip. "I almost begin to believe that, so I think I will share a secret with you if you would return a favor."

"What secret is that?"

" 'Tis something I believe you would like to know," she said.

"Indeed? And what is that?"

" 'Tis something about your Belva."

He should, of course, tell her that the girl was certainly not "his."

"In exchange for what?" he asked.

She laughed. "There's no need to look so concerned, MacGowan. I am not about to bind you hand and foot and force myself on you... though the idea has merit."

"I doubt you'd ever have to use force, me lady," he said and she smiled.

"There is little question why you are desired. Still, I am curious," she said, "How many women have you had?"

"Never in me life has that been so oft discussed."

"So Belva asked you, too. And what was your answer?"

"I will tell you true if you share your secret with me first."

"Very well," she said and smiled. "At this very moment Belva is being visited by my lads."

"What!" His gut coiled, hard and cold.

"Not to worry. She will enjoy the experience. Indeed, this may yet prove be to your bene—"

"Where is she?"

Her brows rose toward her hairline. "Surely you do not resent the girl having some pleasure, MacGowan. After all, you've no abiding interest in—"

His hand shot out of its own volition, once again wrapping tight and hard around Madelaine's wrist. "Where is she?"

She raised her chin slightly. "You've no right to stop her. Not with your own vast experience behind you. Although I admit, the lads get a bit eager at times."

"I warn you, me lady, if they harm her in any way they will be of little use to you henceforth."

"Truly?" She looked intrigued at most.

"Where are they?"

"First you must fulfill your part of our bargain."

"Less than scores," he said and she laughed.

"You will find her on the upper floor, at the end of the hall."

He turned away without a second's hesitation, but she called him back and he turned, impatience thumping in his gut.

"Do not worry, lad. Your secret is safe with me."

"What secret is that?" he asked, and she grinned.

" 'Tis a secret."