Page 6 of Deception of a Highlander

Mariel settled back in the chair and surveyed the board. “If I win, you take me to Scotland. Both me and my maid. All expenses covered.”

A frown tugged at his lips. He would need a little goading.

“Afraid I’ll beat you?” she challenged playfully.

Kieran’s eyes narrowed as he settled in the seat opposite her. The delicate chair looked like a child’s toy beneath his massive frame. “Yer move.”

The tension in Mariel’s shoulders eased. Once she won the game and secured her passage to Scotland, she would have to come up with a way to gain his trust enough for him to speak openly with her. That would be the difficult part. She knew from experience that men did not part easily with their secrets. Their innermost thoughts were shared with other males of a close acquaintance or the women they slept with.

Since Mariel was not a man, that left only one option.

She pushed her pawn forward two spaces. Kieran was not completely disinterested. She had not imagined the desire in his eyes. Her pulse fluttered with unaccustomed nervousness as she waited for him to make his move.

She must win this game.

“I hear King James is trying to establish his own Bible,” she said. Men typically liked to talk when they played chess.

Kieran grunted and pushed his pawn forward. He kept his large, tapered fingers planted on the piece and surveyed the board.

Mariel let her gaze wander over Kieran, noting the small creases lining his brow. He was a serious man, one with heavy responsibility. Though the clothes he wore were not ornate, they were sewn well and with fine material. He was a proud man of simple taste.

“Shakespeare is going to be presenting one of his plays for the king tonight.” She fingered the smooth indentions on her knight and moved it into position.

Kieran shifted his rook forward and did not respond.

Mariel slid her bishop across the board.

The dark wool of Kieran’s jacket stretched over his powerful arms as he nudged another pawn ahead. Several white scars slashed across his hand.

She breathed out a sigh and captured his rook.

With a start, she realized the intensity of his stare was fixed on her. Not on the tops of her breasts as most men were wont to do, but on her face, carefully studying her.

She returned her gaze to the board and tried to focus on the game for the next several moves. One final move of her rook placed the piece within reach of his knight. The very knight that protected Kieran’s king.

“Ye can take the piece back if ye like,” Kieran said and indicated to the piece.

The move looked like a mistake on her part and left her rook open for capture.

She smiled sweetly. “That wouldn’t be fair.”

He was hesitant when he captured the sacrificial rook as if he somehow felt bad for playing on what he assumed to be an error she had made. His fingers curled around the defeated piece, and his eyes widened slightly. No doubt a realization of what he’d done.

Victory surged through Mariel like a balm for her ragged nerves. She’d accomplished her goal and won her passage to Scotland. Jack would be safe.

She slid her queen into position and lifted her fingers from the smooth chess piece. “Checkmate.”

CHAPTER 3

Kieran stared down at the chessboard in amazement, studying the pieces to discover an error. He found none. No one had ever beaten him at chess and certainly not in only nine moves.

Mariel appeared disinterested in her incredible victory as her extraordinary violet gaze skimmed the room once more. She had done that throughout their game. Being in full view at court left her on edge.

Despite her distracted state, his guaranteed win had become his greatest defeat. And to a most unexpected opponent.

He had underestimated her, and that arrogance now placed others at risk. Frustration tightened the muscles along the back of his neck. Bringing her to Skye was dangerous, not only for her but also for his people. Too many secrets filled his home. Too much balanced on the edge of discretion to make a stranger welcome.

Honor pressed Kieran. While he had agreed to take Mariel to Scotland in the unlikely event that she won, he had also made another promise to his people. One of greater import and severity. One that her presence in his home would jeopardize.