Highland Wolf by Hannah Howell

have made some very nefarious use of such things as hidden rooms and passages. She then tensed as Rolf pushed on something to the side of the door and it closed, leaving them standing very close together in total darkness. She did not mind standing so close to him, but she had an old and deep fear of the dark.
    “Is this it?” she asked in a wavering voice, that sign of her growing fear embarrassing her. “Is there no passageway we now creep away in?”
    “Well, there is a passage,” he whispered against her ear, “but it would not be safe to use it without any light.”
    “Can he hear us?” she whispered back, hoping that conversation would keep her fear from growing too large to control.
    “Not if we whisper very, very softly. We will be able to hear anything said in the ledger room, however.”
    “That could be useful.”
    James wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back, hard up against him. It was a sweet torture, but he was able to control his desire because he could sense her growing fear. He also suspected she was a virgin and a hasty rutting in a tiny dark room with people only feet away was not the way to introduce her to passion, even if it was a way that would allow him to hold fast to his disguise.
    “Are you afraid of the dark, Annora?”
    “Aye, the dark and small places with no clearly visible route of escape.” She shivered as dark memories of her Cousin Sorcha arose from where she had buried them. “One of the women who took me in after my mother died felt time spent in a small dark space was the best way to discipline an unruly child.” She immediately wondered whyshe had told him that as it was not something she spoke about to anyone.
    James held her a little closer, feeling a strong urge to hunt down that woman and slap some kindness into her. It astonished him that he should feel such outrage on Annora’s behalf. He barely knew this woman and was not yet sure he could trust her. Just because her kiss had curled his toes did not mean she was someone he could trust with all his secrets. And if they made love as he ached to do, that was exactly what he would have to do. He was going to have to forget how sweet she tasted.
    The sound of MacKay’s voice pulled him from thoughts of how right she felt in his arms. James tensed and strained to listen closely, not wishing to miss a word. He was a little surprised to feel Annora do the same. Annora did not like or trust her cousin and he wondered why, but knew questions about that would have to wait until later.
    “When are those cursed Chisholms going to leave?” demanded Egan.
    “When our business is done,” replied Donnell.
    “They are causing too many people to look our way, Donnell. They dinnae try to hide what they are doing. I wouldnae be surprised if they boast about all we have done in every alehouse they step into.”
    “That doesnae matter. I dinnae think anyone will heed them if they speak out against us. They are kenned weel for being lying thieves. It willnae be hard for us to convince people that they are just trying to take someone down with them.”
    “That may be, but are ye willing to take that risk? If ye are wrong we hang right beside them.”
    Donnell snorted in derision so loudly it was clear to hear in the tiny dark room where Annora hid wrapped tightly in a pair of strong arms she found far too enticing. She was trying very hard to ignore the man holding her and only listen closely to Donnell and Egan, but ignoring so much man pressed up against her back was impossible. The best she could do was listen and hope she would recall enough of what was said to think about it later.
    Rolf Lavengeance was a dangerous man, she decided as Donnell and Egan argued over the perils of continuing their alliance with the Chisholms. She had known she was attracted to him from the start but had seen so little of him it had not troubled her much. It was a safe attraction, one enjoyed from afar, and adding a nice romantic glow to a