Not that he was giving up. Bloody hell no. If anyone deserved to be brought down a peg, it was that golden-haired waif who thought herself better than the world. Devon now had two reasons to visit the glen in the woods. One, to escape the threat of the ring, and two, to teach a certain high-handed miss a much needed lesson.

Devon strode into Kilkairn, his mind on the problem ahead. What could he do? If only—

“Devon!”

He paused to see Malcolm standing in the doorway to a room off the great hall, a brandy glass in his hand. “Malcolm! How was your day? I took a ride—”

“Come and have a drink with me,” Malcolm said, lifting his glass and gesturing. “Finest batch of brandy I’ve ever had. And there’s plenty where this came from.”

A glass of brandy would be welcome, Devon decided. He followed Malcolm into the room, finding a snug library of sorts, lit by a large, warming fire. It bore only a few signs of the slovenly care that infested the rest of the castle.

Malcolm went to a sideboard and splashed a generous amount into a fresh glass, then touched up his own drink. “There you go.”

Devon took the drink and then made his way to the brace of leather chairs that sat by the crackling flames.

Malcolm joined him, stretching his legs before him. He eyed Devon a moment, then said, “Where have you been today?”

Devon thought about prevaricating, but something about Malcolm’s expression made him pause. “I went riding. And I found your sister’s cottage in the woods.”

Malcolm’s eyes brightened. “Did you indeed?”

“Indeed.” Devon shrugged. “She was very busy, and I didn’t get to speak with her much.” It would be different next time; Devon would see to that.

“Busy?”

“Yes,” Devon said in what he hoped was a firm voice. He really didn’t want to continue this topic of conversation. “I rode about the lands some. You have a magnificent property here.”

“It’s nice,” Malcolm said absently. “While you were visiting the cottage, did you get a chance to see some of Kat’s work?”

“The stained glass? No. I’m surprised you didn’t mention it at breakfast this morning.”

“I should have, but I was rather taken aback that she’d allowed you to kiss her.”

“Had I known she was your sister—”

“Pssh. It wouldn’t have made any difference.”

Devon met Malcolm’s gaze. After a moment, Devon grinned. “You are right, of course.”

Malcolm chuckled. “I know I am right. Kat’s a lovely woman but she’s stubborn as they come. Frankly, there’s no way in hell you or anyone else will ever get more than a startled kiss out of her.”

Devon paused in taking a drink. “No?”