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“You listen to his She could not let Lachlan see what she had become Fear and pity were not e eyes

Without another word, she turned and ran frolas would send Mal her cape froht Perhaps she should go down to the village, scour the fields for an animal to sink her teeth into just to add credence to their silly stories

But she chose to walk in the forest

In the forest, she did not feel so alone There were other nocturnal creatures roa aiht

Chapter 2

“Ah, away and dunk yer head in a horse trough” Douglas Dougan threw his hands up in the air “Why did yer have to go and say that to the lass?”

Lachlan shrugged “Even after all this time, Isla still kno to rouse my ire”

“You’re nae a wee laddie anyet any broader, you won’t fit through the door” Douglas sighed “There’s nae point dwelling on the past”

Lachlan had spent three years trying to cleanse his mind and body of Isla Maclean Drink only helped to numb his senses for a few hours, wo, the essence of the wo to his skin He would often wake at night and i curled next to hi in the air and feel forced to trace the source of the enticing aro on with his life see happiness, there was only one option left open to him

“What’s done is done I’ve no wish to dwell on it anyed at the lapels of his coat, the action a way of reaffir his decision “I came at your behest, not to cause trouble Besides, I plan to take a wife, Douglas I intend to reside in Edinburgh” His father’s refusal to accept his decision was one of the reasons he had not already left

“A wife!” Douglas gave hi pat on the arm “Well, there’s nae need to sound so sombre about it I take it ye have someone in mind”

“Aye” He raised his chin in acknowledgement

In truth, he knew a handful of wo As soon as he returned to Edinburgh, he would make his choice There were a few stipulations She could not have waves of golden locks that shiht She could not have seductive blue eyes, the silvery hue re waters of Loch Earn She could not have a fiery temper that made a man want to claim her until the only sound to leave her lips was a soft moan of pleasure

“Granted, I’d rather see ye wed to Isla,” Douglas said disturbing his reverie, “but that sleeky devil ruined all hope for that union He had us all under his wicked spell, ith his smooth drawl and fancy ways”

“The man certainly had a persuasive way about hiner possessed a“Nikolai,” he paused The name did not come easily to him “He had a cold, detached look, one so opposed to his soft words When he co, I felt compelled to obey”