Border Bride by Arnette Lamb

the idea of war, Malcolm shook his head. "Another Jacobite rebellion. A Catholic Stewart wearing the crown. Fool's dreams and unlawful acts."
    "Don't worry so, Christian."
    Malcolm walked to the window and observed the peaceful interplay of his people. If fighting began, his soldiers would be manning the battlements rather than helping the weaver rethatch his roof. Instead of handing out biscuits to the excited bairns of Kildalton, the women would be passing buckets to put out the fires of war.
    "Your bonnie prince is just a stripling lad of fifteen years. He can't lead an army," Saladin insisted.
    "Charles Stewart is not my prince. He's never set foot on Scottish soil. But make no mistake, at five and ten he's a scholar in the school of Mars. Sir Thomas Sheridan has tutored him well enough in that. The lad can't read nor speak ten words of Scottish. He's a soldier."
    Saladin joined him and clasped a hand on his shoulder. Offhandedly he said, "It's a grand bluff. I doubt he's an accomplished warrior."
    Only Malcolm could best Saladin in a contest of sword-play, and hordes of men had tried. "Then you're in for a surprise."
    Saladin grinned, revealing the space between his front teeth. "Thank you and praise Allah, but I must decline." He strolled to the chair and plopped down. "One surprise a day is enough for my humble Muslim soul."
    Malcolm eagerly grasped the digression from Scottish politics. "I assume you refer to the lovely Elanna."
    Laughing without humor, Saladin stroked his beard and tapped his booted foot. " 'Refer' to her? 'Debauch' comes immediately to mind."
    Malcolm eased his hip onto the edge of his desk and studied his oldest friend. Normally stoic and always at peace with himself, Saladin now fidgeted like a criminal in the witness box. "She threatens your vow of celibacy?"
    Saladin stared into the cold hearth. "Not if you get rid of her before my evening prayers. Which brings me to the burning question." He faced Malcolm again. "Why aren't they at Sinclair Manor? You arranged for Alpin to live with her uncle, Baron Sinclair."
    " Lady Alpin tricked me." He relayed the details of his first two meetings with her.
    Saladin roared with laughter. "She hasn't changed."
    The fallacy of that statement made Malcolm see red. "Oh, yes, she has. Now she says she's my property."
    Saladin swung his legs over the arm of the chair. His red boots contrasted vividly with the deep brown leather. "Ah, English law," he lamented with great sarcasm. "It seems she knows the statutes well."
    "Among other things." Like setting Malcolm's blood afire and sending his rational thoughts fleeing out the window. Relief would come, though. Once he had her in his bed, his obsession would end. As would her virginity. A shiver went through him at the prospect of teaching her the ways of love.
    "I see." Saladin plucked a blade of grass from his boot. "Alexander said she could cook. That's something in her favor. She's also a beauty—for a white woman. Don't you think?"
    Malcolm groaned and said, "She is that, right enough, my African friend. Have you ever seen eyes that color?"
    "Not in twenty years, and I don't remember them being so pretty."
    "Neither do I."
    "Don't tell me you're tempted to seduce her." He jolted upright. "I expected you to marry her off to one of those pox-ridden Campbells you hate so much."
    For the first time since Alpin had schemed her way into his home, Malcolm saw a way to put his plans back on course. "I might do both."
    Saladin shook his finger in reproof. "Seduction first, my friend."
    Infused with assurance, Malcolm kissed his fingertips and flung his hand in the air. "But of course."
    Saladin rolled his eyes. "Truthfully, I can't picture Alpin welcoming your attentions. She never did before. What was it you used to say? Oh, I remember." He worked his lips like a netted trout. In a high voice he said, " 'Give me a kiss of peace, Alpin.'"
    Disgruntled at the reminder of his foolish youth but unwilling to reveal his