Page 23 of Highland Spy

When Murdoch returned from uncovering additional information on Angus MacAlister’s whereabouts, Connor would send him to the village to see—

Thunk.

He lifted his head and turned toward the door. It stood slightly ajar.

Thunk.

With all the thoughts crammed inside his mind, the last thing he needed was a distraction from sorting them out. He heaved himself from the chair, strode across the room, and closed it with a satisfactory push.

A moment went by.

Two.

Silence.

His shoulders relaxed a fraction of an inch and he made his way back to the chair.

Thunk.

He wanted to roar like a beast, but flung the door open instead and followed the sound with the determination of a predator.

Light framed the kitchen door.

He shoved it open. “Damn it, Sylvi, a man canna think wi—”

Feline green eyes, wide with shock, stared up at him, a slender hand held aloft midair with a dagger pinched between her thumb and forefinger.

Ariana gasped. “Forgive me, Connor, I didn’t know you could hear. I thought I’d been quiet.”

He looked to the opposite side of the kitchen and there, much farther than he’d set it that morning outside, was the target with several daggers jutting from its scarred face.

He folded his arms over his chest and nodded appreciatively. “Well done.”

“After I realized exactly how to hold them, light and easy. Like a card.” A pleased flush colored Ariana’s cheeks to the same red as her full lips, a bonny contrast to her fair skin and glossy black hair.

“Now ye just need to hit the center,” he said. “Throw again.”

She pursed her lips and closed one eye. Her arm pulled back, and the dagger slid from her fingers with incredible grace.

Thunk.

“Good, good,” he murmured. “Do it one more time with both yer eyes open. And square yer hips.”

She shot him a questioning look.

He reached out, grasped her hips and straightened her forward.

She might be thin, but her hips were still round and feminine.

He nodded. “Again.”

Both eyes open, she loosed her dagger. It sank into the very center.

Her chin lifted with obvious pride. “Thank you.”

Connor shrugged. “It was yer own skill. I just showed ye what to adjust. Now let’s get this cleaned up. Ye need yer sleep or ye’ll be no good to me tomorrow.”

Ariana immediately set to work scooping up the daggers.