The Laird of Stonehaven by Connie Mason Page B

woman.”
    “I . . . what?”
    Reaching down, he hauled her from the tub. “You heard me. I was useless to Glenda. That has never happened to me before.”
    Blair laughed in the face of Graeme’s anger. “You give me too much credit, Laird Graeme. I couldna do that even if I wanted to.”
    She knew that goading him was a mistake, but she couldn’t help looking down his body. What she saw, however, made her mouth drop open. He was fully aroused, his sex jutting boldly from the folds of his robe.
    Graeme must have noted the shocked look on her face, for his eyes followed the direction of her gaze. Nearly as astonished as Blair, he dropped his hands from her and backed away.
    “Damn you! Just touching you arouses me. I’m cursed!” Whirling, he stormed from the chamber.

Chapter Four
    Graeme had already eaten and left the hall when Blair broke her fast the following morning. A fetching red-headed serving maid sidled up to her and asked if she’d like a bowl of oats or eggs and ham. The girl’s manner was blatantly disrespectful. Hand on one hip, she inspected Blair from head to toe, then quickly dismissed her with a toss of her head.
    “Is something out of place?” Blair asked. “Have I forgotten to fasten my dress?”
    Checking first to see if anyone was looking, the girl said, “I never saw a witch before.”
    Blair sighed. Would it never end? Would people never tire of thinking ill of her? “I am not a witch,” she replied.
    “Ye must be to have bewitched our laird.”
    “Who are you?”
    “Glenda. I serve Laird Graeme.” She grinned. “If ye catch my drift.”
    Blair did indeed catch Glenda’s drift, and she recognized the woman’s name. Glenda was the one Graeme had intended to bed after Blair had refused him. The thought of Glenda intimately entwined with Graeme sent an immediate surge of anger through Blair.
    “Henceforth you will confine your duties to the kitchen,” Blair said, stressing the word
duties
.
    “I will continue to do as I please until Laird Graeme commands otherwise,” Glenda returned. “It’s not your decision to make. Have ye decided between porridge and eggs?”
    “Porridge,” Blair said, vowing to deal with Glenda later.
    She watched Glenda stroll off, all too aware of what Graeme saw in the flamboyant flirt. Aside from being voluptuous, she boasted a blatant sexuality that all but screamed for a man’s attention.
    From the corner of her eye Blair spied Alyce hurrying toward her, her face flushed from exertion. Alyce’s aura had turned from the usual placid blue to a more volatile violet, and Blair knew immediately that she was upset.
    “Blair, lass, ye must come quickly,” Alyce panted.
    Blair rose from her chair. “What is it? What’s happened?”
    “ ’Tis yer husband, lass. He’s in the stillroom, rummaging through yer box of herbs,” she said meaningfully, “and his mood is nae good. What happened last night?”
    Blair paled. “Show me the way. I will tell you about it later.”
    The stillroom was situated beyond the kitchen. They reached it by way of a vine-covered arched walkway. Blair burst through the door just as Graeme was removing four candles from a box and holding them aloft to inspect them.
    “What are you doing? Why are you searching my belongings? Be careful. Those herbs are precious to me.”
    Graeme whirled at the sound of her voice. “After what I saw last night, I canna trust you, Blair. I am making sure there is naught in here to cause mischief.”
    “As you can see, I brought naught but herbs, salves and simples with me to Stonehaven.”
    He shoved the candles beneath her nose. “What are these used for?”
    Blair shrugged. “They are just candles. Sometimes I work late and need the light. Are you satisfied?”
    Graeme returned the candles to the box. “For the time being.” He turned to leave.
    “I met your leman this morn,” Blair ventured. “I suspect you’ll soon hear about it from Glenda. I’ve confined her duties to the