“Oh, I don’t think so. Because he’s going to go and fetch your cloak, aren’t you, Lord Douglas?”

Lord Douglas was nervously glancing from one to the other. “Perhaps we should all return-”

“I need a word with the lady Selene. I’m sure you’ll understand.”

Douglas drew a deep breath and then straightened his shoulders. “I feel it my duty to stay until she feels well enough to go back to the hall.”

She hadn’t counted on this. She had thought he would scurry away when Kadar showed his claws. Was he a fool that he couldn’t see the danger Kadar represented? She shivered. “I do feel chilled. Would you please fetch my cloak, Douglas?”

He hesitated and then, to her immense relief, took the out she’d given him. He bowed. “As you wish.”

She watched him hurry across the courtyard.

“You’re usually better at reading people.” Kadar’s gaze was also on Lord Douglas. “He was braver than you thought.”

“Yes.” She didn’t try subterfuge. It never worked with Kadar.

He knew her too well. “Brave or blind. He may be the one lacking in judgment.” She turned to face him, the excitement building. “What would you have done if I hadn’t sent him away?”

“What do you think?”

“I’m asking you.”

“Killed him,” he said casually. “I was very irritated with our young lord. I was considering a knife to the belly. He would have died slowly and painfully.”

“Why were you irritated?”

He smiled. “You know why.”

“Tell me.”

“He touched you. I’m sure it was by your design, but he still touched you. How did it feel to have his hand on you?”

She had barely been aware of that touch. She had been too focused on its effect on Kadar. “Exciting.”

He chuckled. “You lie.”

“Well, it could have been-under other circumstances. I’m weary of living life like one of the nuns at the abbey. You have no right to complain. Do you think I don’t hear of the women you bed? You’ve not left a willing wench in the Highlands untouched, and heaven knows what you do on your journeys to Spain and Italy.”