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“I cannot think straight until I eat,” Meg ad the smile

He held her gaze across the steaht and frank “I prefer a lass with an appetite”

“Do you?”

He nodded, and suddenly he was so handsome he took her breath away “I do”

And then he smiled, a broad curl of histhought, she did not know better, if she did not know herself very well, and the complete lack of attraction she held for handso to…that he was…Meg felt the blush rise slowly up froer followed, anger with herself for allowing her feelings to control her, and with hi

They may be man and woman, but that did not mean they must necessarily flirt! Was that how he expected her to behave? Well, he would be disappointed Meg had no intention of allowing the for more to her than a man she expected to take her orders And obey them A man like…well, like Duncan Forbes…

She opened her mouth to tell him so, but he had already turned away He see the pewter goblet between his long fingers, watching the ht For a time they ate in silence

“How is your arm, Captain?” That seemed a safe subject

He flexed it a little, winced “It will heal I have had worse My trade as a soldier ensures I aular basis”

“But not usually by your own men?” she responded dryly

He laughed at the barb She had aain But this tirew cool and watchful, as if he too were prepared to keep his distance

“No, not often by my own men Airdy is an exception He is also a fool A fool with a beautiful wife Barbara wanted to leave him but Airdy would not allow it, so she caht a duel, and I won, but Barbara returned to Airdy I can’t pretend to understand her reasons; I fear a woman’s mind is a puzzle to me”

“And now she has run off and left Airdy, and Airdy blames you?”

“Aye, that is about it”

“I heard hie on you for what he perceives to be your betrayal”