A Bewitching Bride by Elizabeth Thornton

danger, not the kind of danger that made her skin crawl, but that odd apprehension that turned her bones to slush.
    “Gavin Hepburn!” she said under her breath. It had to be him.
    “What in hell’s name do you think you’re doing?” he demanded angrily.
    When he drew level with her, he came into the light, and she had a clear view of that frozen jaw and lips pulled back in a snarl.
    With some idea of delaying the evil moment when she had to confess that she’d lost his dog, she blurted out, “So what happened in Ballater?”
    He did not unlock his jaw. “We’ll get to that later. What I want to know is what you are doing hiding out in the staircase? Didn’t I tell you not to let Macduff out of your sight?”
    Because he had frightened her, her temper flared. “Your dog,” she said, “got away from me. What was I supposed to do? I was sure I would find him in the kitchen.”
    Her answer seemed to inflame him more. “When you entered the servants’ staircase, you shut him out. He can’t open doors.”
    “He deserted me! I didn’t desert him! And where is the traitor, anyway?”
    “I sent him to bed.”
    “Where did you find him?” Her voice was rising to match her frustration. Another thought occurred to her. “And how did you know I was in the servants’ staircase?”
    “I didn’t know. I met you by chance. That isn’t the point. You were supposed to keep Macduff with you at all times. Have you forgotten what happened to Will?”
    She was totally unprepared for the rush of emotion that swept through her. Her petty grievance with the man who was glowering at her seemed insignificant when she remembered what had befallen Will Rankin. How could she have forgotten even for a minute?
    “Kate,” he said and reached for her. “I’m sorry.”
    She took a quick step back.
    He paid no attention to her involuntary movement, but reaching for her shoulders, he pulled her into his arms. “It’s all right to grieve,” he said, “but you can’t grieve every moment you’re awake. Will wouldn’t expect it of you. And this isn’t over yet. You are a target, too. Never forget it. All I want is to protect you. Will you remember that?”
    She needed to be comforted, but not by him. She wanted her mother. Even her sister would do. She wanted petting and a shoulder to cry on. She wanted to unburden herself and share the horrible events of the worst night of her life.
    She pushed out of his arms. “I was in the wrong,” she said. “I’m sorry. My mind wasn’t on Macduff, and I let him wander away. I didn’t think I was putting myself in danger. I was more worried about what you would say if I couldn’t find him.”
    “You were more worried about a dog than you were about yourself?”
    “No. Yes.” She lifted her shoulders in a tiny shrug. “Macduff saved my life. That makes him special.”
    “What about me? Am I special, too?”
    She tilted her head to get a better look at him. “Every woman thinks you’re special, Hepburn. Why should I be different?” She managed a convincing chuckle. “My friends were right about you,” she said. “You can make a female forget her own name. Now tell me what happened at the police station.”
    He said something harsh under his breath and then indicated with a gesture that she should precede him up the stairs. When they pushed out of the staircase, Macduff came loping along the corridor to meet them. Not far behind him was Mrs. Cardno, leaning on a cane.
    “I take it,” said Mrs. Cardno, “that all has ended well?”
    Kate was staring at the cane. She couldn’t remember seeing it before. Who did Mrs. Cardno think she was—her bodyguard? The thought made her want to laugh.
    “Yes,” said Gavin. “No thanks to one reckless young woman.”
    “Then I’ll leave you to it,” replied Mrs. Cardno, and turning smartly, she hobbled toward her own door.
    Kate was beginning to feel like a precocious school-girl who had to be kept on a tight rein. As they walked