Page 39 of In the Highlander's Bed

She shook her head. “Why…?” and then answered her own question by following his gaze to the lantern. “You didn’t expect me to sit in the dark, did you?”

He hadn’t expected to be gone so long. But it was a sign of Constance’s resourcefulness that she had made herself completely at home. “I’m glad I took my weapons with me.”

Constance smiled her response, and Gordon knew he’d best be on his guard. “Are you going to tie me up again?” she wondered, reading his mind.

“I’ll truss you up like a deer if you give me good cause,” he assured her. To his surprise, she laughed, completely without fear. He knew she didn’t doubt his words. It was just that she had courage. Whatever life gave her, she’d make the best of it.

He wished his sister had even a touch of Constance’s spirit.

He pulled three china plates and two spoons from his tack chest. The plates were pieces of a set his father had owned. He ladled the stewinto one and set it down for the dog, saying, “Here. Don’t forget whose side you are on.”

Tad dove into his food without remorse.

Gordon ladled two more plates and offered one to Constance. She took it, helping herself to a spoon and attacking her stew with enthusiasm. He had been just as hungry…except his appetite disappeared at the sight of the cleavage she displayed as she bent over her food.

Her ball gown had not been fashioned for travel. For most of the trip, she’d worn his tartan. Now, he couldn’t help but notice the swell of breast over the lace at her bodice, the hollow at the base of her throat, the way she ran the tip of her tongue over her lips as she savored the stew.

Perhaps Fiona was right. Perhaps they shouldn’t be alone—

“It’s good,” she said. “You should eat…” Her voice died off as she realized he was staring.

Gordon looked away, embarrassed to have been caught gaping like a schoolboy.

Thomas would have laughed.

He sat on the ground next to Tad and focused on his own plate, all too aware of the moments when her gaze had drifted toward him. He’d thought he was bone tired, but suddenly parts of him were wide-awake. He shifted, notwanting her to notice, silently cursing his male nature,andher female one.

They ate in silence. When he finished, he gave the plate to Tad to clean off. Constance made a horrified sound.

“Please don’t tell me you clean all your plates that way?” she said.

Gordon frowned. “I wash them.” He could have added,Sometimes,but thought it best to keep that to himself.

She curled her lip in disgust. “I suppose men don’t worry about those things.”

“We do.”

The lift of her eyebrow said she didn’t believe him.

A moment of silence stretched between them. From his position on the ground, he couldn’t help but notice how trim her ankles were. He liked slender legs, and he already knew she was muscular and strong—

She cleared her throat. “I need a private moment.”

It stood to reason. It had been a while. And the fresh night air would cool overheated thoughts. “Come along, then.”

Darkness had completely fallen. The moon was full and golden. A good number of people had already gone to bed.

This was usually his favorite time of night. He walked her toward the latrines. “Here,” he said at the door to one of the privies.

Constance held back. “This place doesn’t smell good.”

That was an understatement. A party of men, all too old to fight, were responsible for the latrines and other areas of the camp. He’d noticed that they had been slack in their responsibilities. He didn’t want to admit that to her. “Consider what it is and be happy we have one,” he said. “Go on, Constance, see to your business.”

The corners of her mouth turned down, the expression almost comical. Gingerly, she went inside. He stood guard.

The smell seemed more pronounced now that she had pointed it out to him, and he was relieved when she came running out, so that they could both find some fresh air.

“May I wash my hands?” she asked.