His groin hitched at the thought. Rebellious to a fault, that cock of his. Damn to hell and back his randy imagination. There was no place for such fantasy with this woman. No time to even consider what it would be like to have such a woman in his arms. In his bed.
Later, after he retrieved the stone, there’d be plenty of time to assuage his male needs with some bonny lass who didn’t hold the key to a treasure—a warm and smiling woman who’d leave him sated, but would make no claim to him. Not an unforgettable beauty who’d lay siege to a man’s innermost desires with nothing more than the smile in her storm-cast-blue eyes.
Johanna was the kind of woman a man would not soon forget. Deep-seated passion simmered in her gaze. One taste, and he’d never get enough.
“So, the prodigal son has returned.” His mother approached, gliding along the corridor in that way of hers that made it seem she’d trained for the monarchy. In truth, Lady Kathleen MacMasters did have more experience with all things royal than most. As a girl from one of the most esteemed families in England, she’d served the young queen Victoria as a lady-in-waiting. Of course, that was before she’d scandalized her parents by eloping with a penniless Scot who’d offered little but dreams, gumption, and his undying love.
Connor took in the smile in his mother’s eyes. He bit back a grin. “Ye stab me through the heart with yer cruel aspersions on my character.”
Maw’s eyes narrowed at him. “I’ve not seen hide nor hair of you since Hogmanay. I’d begun to think I would not lay eyes on you again until the eve of the next year. And now you arrive with no prior notice. There’s been no time to have our guest’s chamber prepared.”
“I’ll explain it all to ye in good time.”
“In good time?” Maw’s gaze propelled invisible daggers. “Maggie tells me you’ve brought that old reprobate Fergus here. I trust you have good reason for bringing that skirt-chasing hound to Dunnhaven.”
“You already know why I summoned Fergus. The man might be a randy old sot, but he’s the best driver I’ve ever known.”
“The buzzard still boasts about his…prowess. Before the evening is done, Fergus will be challenging your father to a round of darts that will turn into hours of ale-fueled reminiscences of their days in the Royal Navy. That never ends well. Mark my words.”
“Whatever Maggie told ye about Fergus, pay it no mind. She spreads gossip faster than a farmer spreads manure.”
His mother’s brows peaked and her lips thinned, just as they always did when he exasperated her. Connor had been provoking that expression since he was a lad scarcely out of nappies. Her attention flickered to Johanna. “You are in the presence of a lady.” Maw turned to her. “A lady whom I presume possesses a name.”
“Aye, that she does.” Connor shifted his gaze. “Miss Johanna Templeton, allow me to introduce ye to my mother, Lady Kathleen MacMasters.”
Johanna formed a smile that could not have looked more forced if she’d actually lifted up the corners of her mouth with her fingers. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Kathleen. Please, call me Johanna.”
“Miss, is it?” Maw sized her up like a breeder assessing a mare’s blood lines. God above, his mother was relentless in her quest for wee bairns. Not that her efforts were fruitful. Seven sons and two daughters, and still not one grandchild to rock on her lap. “Welcome to Dunnhaven, Miss Templeton. What brings ye here as our guest?”
“Your son and I share a common endeavor.”
“Endeavor? That’s one way to put it,” Connor said.
Maw shot him a scowl, then flashed her most welcoming smile. “Your chamber is being prepared as we speak. I’ll show you to the sitting room. My daughter is quite eager to make a more thorough acquaintance. I’m sure the two of you will find quite a bit to discuss while I have a word with my son.”
It was Connor’s turn to scowl. What did Maw think she was doing, setting Maggie on Johanna? Eager to make a more thorough acquaintance. Of course his sister was. He’d no doubt she was chafing at the bit to discover what had brought Johanna to Dunnhaven. She would stop at nothing to drain every detail from Johanna. He’d seen terriers less persistent with their prey than his sister when she decided to ferret out information.
Of course, Maggie’s talent for prying intelligence from an unsuspecting quarry could work to his advantage. If Johanna knew more than she was letting on, she might well let that truth slip to another female, especially one who commiserated with her predicament. And his sister possessed an uncanny ability to discern lies passed off as fact. If Johanna confided in her, he could count on Maggie to weed out any falsehoods and pass the truth on to him.
After all, he and Maggie shared the same cause—ensuring the Demon’s Heart never found its way into an evil bastard’s hands.
…