Not too many, of course, for he had no intention of becoming the focal point of that heart. All he wanted was the pleasure of her body, a brief taste of her spirit. Her heart she could save for whomever she came to love, as long as it wasn’t Devon.

But first, before he did anything, he had to win her trust. After that, he would woo her with a thoroughness that would leave them both panting and pleased. Malcolm had said Kat needed the truth and Devon was ready.

He bowed, glancing up at her through his lashes.

Her cheeks flushed pink beneath the cream, though her gaze did not waver. “Perhaps we should skip the civilities and go right to the reason you are here.”

Devon had to smile. “I came to ask you once again if you would come for a ride with me.”

“No.”

“Poor Thunder. He would have enjoyed having such a lovely rider.”

Her mouth formed a no, but it never came out of her mouth. Instead her gaze went over his shoulder to where the horse was tied, the sun gleaming on the gelding’s pure, strong lines.

After a long moment, she turned her gaze back to Devon. He was amused, as well as chagrined, to see that some of the admiration that had sparkled in her gaze when she’d looked at the horse had disappeared when she focused on him.

Devon had to bite back a sigh. Kat was so different from the women he usually met; like Malcolm’s sister-in-law, for example. Murien Spalding was everything Malcolm had warned of—she was small and feminine and exuded a helpless charm—exactly the sort of woman Devon knew he should avoid, though it had been difficult. Murien seemed determined to waylay him every chance she got, which made Kat’s reluctance all the more appealing.

Kat looked at him now. “If I ride your horse, what will you ride?”

He shrugged. “I daresay you have any number of animals in your stable that could hold me.”

“None are as fine as Thunder.”

“No, but I will be justly compensated by your lovely company.” He knew he’d made a mistake the second the words were out of his mouth. Kat Macdonald didn’t want flowery phrases and empty words. She wanted…He almost frowned. What did she want?

Her expression had shuttered, and he could see that she was already pulling away. There was nothing for it but the truth. “Miss Macdonald—Kat, please. I am a stranger in Scotland. And while I am thankful for your brother’s hospitality, it is rather tense in the castle.”

Her expression softened just the tiniest bit. “Fiona and Malcolm are still at it?”

“Oh yes. So far I haven’t had the opportunity to witness them do anything other than snip at each other, though I’m sure they were a charming couple when they first wed.”