But if she needed more reason, which she didn’t, she had it folded up in the purse at her waist to be burned as soon as she returned to her chamber. When she’d returned to the mercery to pick up the silks for her cousin that had been the reason for the first visit, she’d been surprised to be handed a message. Knowing it must be important—Bruce rarely took the risk of contacting her—she’d taken a quick glance before sliding it into her purse. It had been easy to read, as there were only three words. But the meaning—and the warning—was clear: Beware the Dragon.

She’d always known Bruce had men watching her in case she was ever in trouble, but she hadn’t realized just how closely they were doing so. But someone had obviously seen her with Alex and passed on the information. She winced, almost hearing Lachlan yelling at her for going anywhere near Alex.

Of the members of the Highland Guard, only Raider had been more betrayed by Alex’s defection than her stepfather. The two men were opposite in every way. Lachlan had no rules, and Alex lived by them. From what she’d picked up over the years, it had taken Alex a long time to earn Lachlan’s respect. And the fact that Alex had done so no doubt made Alex’s leaving an added betrayal. Joan suspected that against Lachlan’s inclination he’d come to like the young knight, making that betrayal personal.

Lachlan would be furious to hear that Joan was seen in Alex’s company. If he ever found out Alex had kissed her, he would probably kill him. She paled a little, vowing never to let that happen.

She was nearly to the bridge when she felt the first prickle. Shifting the bundle of linen-wrapped fabric in her arms, she looked up to see him standing like a sentry with no intention of letting her pass.

A flicker of fear that he might be following her again dissipated on seeing his damp hair, and she realized that he’d just come from a wash in the river. He’d been working down there the past few days, and he must have finished for the day. She didn’t know what he’d been doing and hadn’t been inclined to ask, as she was just grateful for the time away from his too-penetrating stare.

Her heart jumped, of course, as it did every time their eyes met. She’d almost grown accustomed to it.

Almost.

But the warm prickle that spread over her skin and the feeling that every one of her senses had just come alive? She didn’t think she would ever get used to that.

Nor would she get used to the golden-god-just-stepped-off-Mount-Olympus good looks and powerful, capable-of-vanquishing-dragons-with-his-bare-hands physique.