Highland Rogue by Deborah Hale

Author:Deborah Hale
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780733565922
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2004-09-30T11:00:00+00:00

Watching Ewan swing the young parlor maid around in his arms, Claire tried to ignore a ridiculous stab of jealousy. She had no claim on the man, after all. And it was obvious the only feelings he entertained toward Glenna McMurdo were a kind of brotherly fondness. Besides, if Claire were foolish enough to envy his attentions to another woman, that woman should be her sister.

For as long as she could recall, Claire had fought against feelings of jealousy toward Tessa. And she had always managed to conquer them. She was not about to poison the one truly loving relationship she’d ever known by giving in to them now.

Once Ewan set Glenna McMurdo back on her feet, Claire turned to introduce him to the rest of the staff, but Mrs. Arbuthnot suddenly appeared at her elbow.

“Begging your pardon, miss, but you might wish to postpone further introductions.” She pointed toward the thick, black-bottomed clouds the wind had blown in from the Atlantic.

“Indeed.” Claire recalled the capricious Highland weather. “Mr. Geddes is hardly a stranger to Strathandrew. Let us all get indoors before the skies open on us.”

The staff needed no further orders to turn and flee up the winding path to the house, the young footmen and gardeners dashing off in the lead, trailed closely by the maids, who hiked their skirts up to make better haste. The cook and the housekeeper followed, Mrs. McMurdo puffing along, while Mrs. Arbuthnot glided beside her. The Gowrie brothers brought up the rear, seeming in no hurry, perhaps because they were accustomed to being outdoors in all weather.

Ewan had not appeared anxious to be on his way, either. But once all the servants had gone, he offered Claire his arm. “That rain’s going to take a while to fall yet, I reckon. And we can change clothes at our leisure if we have to. May I escort ye up to the house, Miss Talbot?”

Claire told herself she was quite capable of walking without his assistance. And she should not indulge in any unnecessary contact with him.

In spite of that, she heard herself reply, “You certainly may. Thank you.”

She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. For a moment she allowed her good intentions to slip. She savored his nearness and the sweet illusion that he belonged to her.

“Was I right?” she asked. “Has the place changed much from the way you remember it?”

To her, it felt as if time had slipped backward and she was living out an old dream—walking up from the wharf with Ewan Geddes, arm in arm. Not that her father ever would have permitted it. Nor would the handsome young gillie have offered. He’d have been too busy making sheep’s eyes at Tessa, who barely noticed him.

“Changed?” Ewan shook his head and chuckled. “Not any amount. It might look a bit smaller than I recollect. That’s about all.

“Now, then …” He reached over with his free hand to pat hers. “How do ye propose we entertain ourselves

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