'Are you back to being afraid of me, English?'
'I was never afraid, Scot,' she answered. 'Only worried.'
'Are you still worried?'
'No.'
'Then why are you trying to ease my arm away?'
'It isn't decent to touch like this in front of others, Alec.'
'It isn't?'
She ignored the amusement in his voice. 'No, it isn't,' she repeated. 'And my name is Jamie. You've still to say it, Alec.'
'It's a man's name.'
'Are we back to that?'
'Aye, we are.'
She refused to look at him until he finished laughing, then said, 'My name certainly seems to give you vast amusement. I suppose that's all for the better, Alec, because you're in a fine mood, you see, and I wanted to tell you something you might take exception to, but once you hear me out, why, I'm certain you'll agree with my decision.'
The seriousness in her tone puzzled him. 'What is it you wish to ask me?'
'I would ask that you not… touch me. I don't know you well enough to allow such liberties.'
'Allow?'
A shiver of dread passed down her spine. It was apparent from his tone of voice that he didn't care for her choice of words. 'Alec? Do you want a wife who is unwilling?'
'Are you asking me or your hands?' Alec countered.
'You.'
'Then look at me.'
The command was given in a hard voice. She needed all her determination to do as he ordered. It would have been easier if he hadn't been sitting so close to her.
He wouldn't let her scoot away from him, either, no matter how many times she tried.
She finally managed to look into his eyes for a full minute, then lowered her gaze to stare at his mouth. That error in judgment made her sigh. It didn't seem to matter where she looked. The man was hard all over. A day's growth of whiskers made him all the more fierce-looking.
Jamie had the feeling he was trying to read her thoughts when she glanced into his eyes again. It was an absurd feeling, but it was there all the same.
She was suddenly hot and cold and thoroughly confused.
'Now ask me your question again,' he said.
'Do you want an unwilling wife?' she repeated, her voice a low whisper.
'I don't particularly want a wife at all.'
She took immediate exception to that honesty. 'Well, you've got one.'
'Aye, I have, and English at that.'
If her back became any straighter, Alec thought her spine might crack.
His new wife was blessed with a giant-sized temper. She looked ready to let go of that precious control of hers, too. She was clasping her hands together now in a grip that had to be painful.
'I wonder why you say the word 'English' as though it were a blasphemy.'
'It is.'
'It isn't.'
Her blush deepened when she realized she'd just shouted at him. She glanced up to measure Alec's reaction. He was frowning, but she didn't think he realized how very angry he was making her. She was well disciplined in hiding her emotions.
'You could never care for an English wife, then?'
'Care for?'
'You know my meaning.'
'Explain it.'
The man was as dense as fog. 'Love,' Jamie snapped. Noticing that Mary and Daniel were both staring at her, she paused to give them a smile, then turned to glare at Alec. 'You could never love an English wife?' she whispered.
'I doubt it.'
'You doubt it?'
'You needn't shout,' Alec remarked. He was thoroughly enjoying her outrage.
'Does my honesty upset you?'
She had to take a deep breath before answering him. 'No, your honesty doesn't upset me, but I do find your amusement most insulting, milord. We're discussing a serious topic.'
'Serious by your measure, not mine.'
'You don't consider marriage an important undertaking?'
'No.'
'No?'
She looked appalled and furious. Alec thought it was an enchanting combination.
'You're only an insignificant part of my life, wife. When you understand the way of life in the Highlands, you'll see how foolish your fears are.'
'I'm insignificant and foolish? Alec, you must find me most inferior,' she countered. 'Yet you're ready for sainthood, aren't you? Why, you never lose your temper or get angry. Isn't that what you told me?'
'True,' Alec admitted, grinning. 'I did say that.'
'I didn't particularly want to marry you either, Kincaid.'
'I noticed.'
'You did?'
She actually seemed surprised. Alec let her see his exasperation. 'You wore a black gown to your wedding,' he reminded her.
'I happen to like this gown,' she returned, pausing to brush a bit of dust off the hem. 'I might wear it every other day.'
'Ah, so you could never come to care for me?' he asked.
''Tis most doubtful.'
Alec did laugh then, a low, rumbling sound that made Jamie think the earth was trembling.
'Why does my honesty make you laugh?'
''Twas the way you gave it.'
'I don't want to continue this discussion, Alec. If you've finished your meal, I'll put the food away.'
'Let your sister see to that duty.'
'It's my responsibility,' she explained.
'Just as it was your responsibility to protect her?'
'Yes.'
'Mary believes this nonsense, too, doesn't she?'
'Nonsense? Since when is doing one's duty nonsense?'
'Daniel and I heard your sister order you to guard her when the English bastards attacked. We saw her use you as her shield.'
'They weren't English bastards,' Jamie corrected, concentrating on that remark.
He was determined not to understand about Mary and she wasn't in the mood to argue. 'I'm certain the infidels came from…' She was about to tell him she was sure the scoundrels had crossed over the border from Scotland, then thought better of it. 'They belong to no country. That is why they're called outcasts, don't you suppose?'
'I suppose,' Alec allowed, letting her have her way. She was frowning enough to make him think that issue was of grave importance to her. 'I thought you were the youngest daughter,' he stated. 'I heard your father call you his baby.' He smiled after making that comment, then added, 'I was mistaken?'
