Secrets to Seducing a Scot by Michelle Marcos Page A

for the worst.”
    Her hands pinned to her hips. “As I was about to say, there will be no need of your services. To his credit, my father is being overly protective. But I can’t allow him to be fooled by these … juvenile pranks. My father will see you are adequately remunerated for your
trouble. You may leave us now, with our thanks for your offered assistance.”
    He crossed his arms at his chest. “I’m no’ going anywhere, Miss Marsh.”
    Her neck stiffened. “I beg your pardon?”
    “Yer father is the one who’s engaged me, and I will answer to no one but him. And the fact that ye make so little of the letter in yer hand leads me to think that ye’re either very brave or very daft. Personally, I’m hoping it’s the former. But yer casual attitude toward yer own safety—and yer father’s duty—leads me to question my assessment.”
    Her eyes became round as saucers. “How dare you speak to me in so insulting a fashion! Father, discharge this man at once.”
    Ever the agent of appeasement, Earlington stepped between them. “Mr. Slayter, despite her delicate appearance, my daughter is a very strong woman. She has never been one to back down from a challenge, even as a little girl. I’m certain she realizes fully what is at stake. Nevertheless, I cannot take any chances with her safety.” Earlington took Serena’s hands in his. “Serena, my dear, I need you to please me in this matter. I know that having Mr. Slayter as a constant presence may be a slight inconvenience. But at least with a protector you will not be a prisoner of your rooms. As long as Mr. Slayter is with you, you may be at liberty to ride, take walks, and travel into the village. And if your desire is that my heart should be at peace, then please accept Mr. Slayter as your protector.”
    Serena looked into her father’s concerned face, and the rigid reluctance in her posture softened. She sighed deeply.
    But one glance at Mr. Slayter, whose expression was
just a shade too triumphant, and she stiffened once more.
    “Mr. Slayter, I hope that you have a thoroughly unpleasant stay.” She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.

TEN
    Serena closed the door to her bedroom and leaned her back against it. The nerve of that man! It was bad enough that she had to suffer more of this wretched country. But to do so in the intimate company of an impertinent and overbearing servant was more than she was willing to endure. She had to think of a way out of this predicament. Overwhelmed, she let her head fall back against the door.
    The knock on the other side nearly tore a scream out of her.
    “Who is it?”
    “’Tis Caointiorn, miss.”
    Quinny! She’d forgotten that she’d asked to have a horse saddled. She opened the door.
    The thin girl darted into the room like a mouse fleeing daylight. She began to burble something in Gaelic.
    “What are you chuntering about, Quinny?”
    “There’s a grit ark o’ a mon ootside, wi’ the de’il’s oon face, on he’s heided straight fo’ here.”
    Serena harrumphed, knowing immediately what put Quinny out of sorts. “ That will be my new protector. I don’t want him snagged upon my skirts any more than you do. We have to get rid of him somehow. If he comes here, tell him I’m indisposed.”

    “Please, miss.” She cringed, as if Serena had asked her to walk through a house on fire. “A dinna ken hoo—”
    A forceful knock made Quinny gasp.
    Serena motioned to her to answer the door. Quinny wrung her hands upon her pinafore, shaking her head.
    Serena rolled her eyes. “Who is it?”
    “I’d tell ye, but ye’d probably forget the name.”
    Slayter! She turned to face the door, annoyance robbing her of the composure in her voice. “What do you want?”
    “I’d like to come in.”
    “I don’t want a protector. I thought I’d made myself perfectly clear.”
    “Aye. That ye did.”
    She puzzled over the uncertain victory. “Very well, then. Good day.”
    “But what ye want and