Rogue's Challenge Read Online Free PDF Page B

refuse to see that your theory is nothing more than speculation based on one incident."
    "And yours is based on what? A pair of incidents? How does that liken to a more logical conclusion?"
    Amelia and Colin exchanged amused glances as the two continued their heated debate. “Do you suppose they'd notice if we went inside?” Amelia asked her husband.
    "I doona think they have even noticed the rain, love,” Colin said with a chuckle. “Come. Let us get you and my son—or daughter,” he corrected with a grin before she could swat him, “where ‘tis warm and dry. They'll be along in a bit.” Colin escorted his wife through the door. “Sadly, it looks as if the lass was caught unaware."
    Amelia chuckled. “Sorry, Colin. You'll just have to do without a new supply of Gummy Bears."
    "Och, more's the pity,” he said with a grin.
    "You doona mean tae say you're going tae leave them out in this?” Colin's Aunt Elspeth sputtered.
    Colin and Amelia shrugged, then paused inside the entrance as Elspeth took the matter fully in hand. “Ian Southernland, that is quite enough. Escort the young lass inside before she catches her death,” she called out.
    Ian blinked once, then twice, then realized his rather wet surroundings. The petite woman had a head as hard as Amelia's, her continued arguing was proof of that, and in the rain no less. But she did not possess the stamina. She was a small thing, not a female soldier like Amelia. Elspeth was correct, she should be inside where it was warm.
    Ian set aside their rather interesting debate, although it was a bit irrational, but she was a woman after all. Without another thought, he scooped her up and trotted up the stairs into the main hall with Elspeth fussing alongside him.
    "Why is it, that whenever you're losing an argument you pick me up?” Jenny asked with a soft growl. One he rather liked, blast his libidinous self.
    "It seemed the most expeditious way in which to get dry,” he said, determined to douse his inconvenient and inappropriate desires. “And I was not losing."
    "You were most definitely losing. If you would only see—"
    "Children, please,” Elspeth said with a heavy sigh. “Ian you may place the lass on her feet."
    Ian did as Elspeth bade him, but with some reluctance. He was discovering he sorely enjoyed the feel of the petite maid in his arms, almost as much as their heated debate. The woman stirred something in him he'd not known existed. Perhaps there was more than pleasure he was in need of. Or perhaps he had lost his mind entirely.
    "Now, lass, I'll take you tae your room where you can dry yourself and have a wee rest,” Elspeth said.
    "Oh, well, thank you, but I'd much rather see to Tuck right now, if you don't mind.” Jenny turned in the direction of her friend. “I assume you wanted me here for the baby's sake, am I right?"
    Tuck laughed. “Even without your glasses you could tell, huh? I know, I'm as big as a Panzer, but yeah. I wanted you here to make sure it all goes well. Not that Elspeth isn't perfectly capable of handling things,” she said quickly with a smile toward her aunt. “I just wanted—I just thought—"
    "I understand. I just hope that I can be of help without my glasses or any supplies,” she said, shooting Ian a look.
    "'Twas not my fault you lost your bloody spectacles,” he growled.
    "Perhaps, but my instruments would've been extremely beneficial. If only you'd allowed me to—"
    "There was no time to fetch your instruments."
    "There would've been if you'd explained yourself in the first place."
    "I tried, you ran."
    "You grabbed me!"
    "You would have been caught!"
    "Children!” They fell silent at Elspeth bark, but neither moved, once again toe to toe.
    "Och, you two are a pair,” Elspeth said with a sigh. “Now, lass, we'll go tae your chamber while Colin helps Amelia tae theirs. You've got tae get out of those wet things, at least. And you need tae dry yourself, lad. Off with you,” she said, shooing Ian