She glanced at her brothers as soon as they were away from Kincaid House. "I need a man's opinion. My marriage to Kincaid is a bit more complicated than I thought. There are certain things we don't agree on, and-"

"You wish to change his mind about something," Gregor finished. "How did you know?" "I've noticed that women often have a desire to change men, even the ones they love." "I've noticed that, too." Dougal frowned. "Which is odd, when you think about it. Because if you didn't like the way a man is, why would you attach yourself to him to begin with?"

Gregor glanced at Fiona. "Maybe you know the answer to that?"

"Me? I can't even find a way to keep Jack from wandering out at night to gaming h.e.l.ls. He feels that

since he had no choice in being married, he should be allowed to live exactly as he did before we were married."

Dougal shrugged. "That sounds reasonable to me."

Fiona eyed him a moment. "Does it, now? And I suppose you'd have no issue with your wife going out '

til the wee hours of the morning, drinking and gambling and whatnot?"

Dougal scowled. "I'd never allow that! Why, if I thought-" He caught himself and gave Fiona a sheepish look. "I see your point." "So? What would you do about it?" Dougal looked at Gregor, who walked silently as if in thought. "Well?" Fiona asked. Gregor nodded. "I know what you need to do."

Thank goodness.She'd begun to think that asking her brothers for help had been an error.

"I think you should shock him, surprise him, do what he least expects. Men like an unpredictable woman."

She blinked and glanced at Dougal, who looked as disbelieving as she felt. He said, "Gregor, I'm not sure-oof!" He hopped on one foot. "d.a.m.n you, Gregor! That was my toe!" "Did I step on you?" Gregor asked. "I'm sorry." Dougal bent to examine his boot. "You're ruining my shine, too." "Here." Gregor threw his handkerchief at Dougal, who caught it with his free hand. "While you are buffing, Fiona and I will continue our conversation."

Gregor tucked Fiona's hand in his arm and continued down the street. "Fiona, you need to challenge Kincaid, force him to see your way of things."

"But he gets angry."

"Ignore it. In fact, ignore him. No matter how angry he gets, just do what you think is right. He'll come around in time."

Fiona looked up at him, her green eyes wistful. "Do you really think that will work?"

He patted her hand. "Try it. See if I'm right."

She smiled. "Thank you, Gregor. I knew I could count on you."

When Dougal caught up, they mounted and rode to the park, the sun shining gently from the blue sky

above.

A short time later, Dougal and Gregor sat at White's, savoring the best the men's club had to offer. A

bottle of brandy sat before them, with a plate of bread and cheese.

Gregor thumped his gla.s.s down on the table. "I think I handled that very well. No man likes a woman who bosses him about, and Fiona already tends in that direction."

Dougal nodded. "She's a bossy wench. Kincaid's days of peace are numbered. She'll challenge him every step of the way."

"Which she should be doing, if she had any sense."

"Women," Dougal said, sighing. "No sense at all."

"None of them. Just look at this ridiculous plan of hers to marry Kincaid to begin with. Pure nonsense."

Dougal nodded glumly, toying with his gla.s.s. "She did manage to halt the feud."

"Yes, but if Fiona and Kincaid are estranged, we won't have to see him at family dinners for the rest of our lives."

Dougal brightened. "I hadn't thought of that." He took another long drink. "It's a pity Alexander says we

cannot lift a finger against the Kincaids."

"Aye. He threatened to strike us with lightning for the rest of our days if we even thought of it." Gregor grunted. "Petty tyrant."

Dougal looked thoughtful. "Perhaps Fiona will call the bairn Callum. That would be better than vengeance."

The idea pleased Gregor until another thought intruded. "What if it's a girl?"

"Callumia."

"That sounds like a stomach ailment."

"Callia?"

"Hm. Maybe."

They were silent a moment, contemplating the addition to their family. Dougal poured more brandy into his gla.s.s. "Gregor, do you think Fiona's sacrifice qualifies as her deed?"

Though they didn't speak of it often, the curse was ever in their minds.

Gregor caught Dougal's hopeful gaze and shrugged. "Perhaps. It was a sacrifice, made with a pure heart. That's all the curse requires."

"That's true. The curse doesn't say it has to be successful."

"Aye. We all just have to make the effort."

Dougal frowned. "Gregor, perhaps you shouldn't have given Fiona such bad advice. She's going to do something to thwart Kincaid, and it might be something unsafe."

Gregor scowled and shoved his empty gla.s.s across the table. "She's not a fool, Dougal."

"No, but she has a temper, like all the MacLeans. There's no telling what she might do if angered. Ask Lucinda Featherington."

"b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l, Dougal. Must you be the death knell of every good idea I have?"

"At least I know what I am," Dougal retorted. "Unlike you, who thinks you were supposed to be a prince!"

"That's not so, but I wouldn't complain if I were one." Gregor looked into the amber depths of his gla.s.s. "Whatever happens, Fiona will find the right path."

"And if she doesn't?"

"Then it's up to us to make certain she does."

Chapter Sixteen.

I've only met the late laird MacLean once. It was a long time ago, and I was no bigger then ye are now. I don't remember much, of course, except for his eyes. Green they were, but dark, like moss at the bottom of a deep river. I've often thought ye could get lost in eyes like those. Lost and never find yer way back.

OLDWOMANNORA OFLOCHLOMOND TO HER THREE WEE GRANDDAUGHTERS ONE COLD NIGHT.

"Itrust you had a pleasant ride, my lady." Devonsgate hurried forward to take Fiona's hat.

"It was lovely," she said, pulling off her gloves and handing him those as well. "I shall try to ride every day." "That is a wonderful idea, my lady, providing it doesn't rain."

"It was beautiful today." "Excellent, madam, although lately-" The butler looked out the window, so as to make certain the sun was still in view. Satisfied that it was, he nodded. "We've had more than our fair share of unexpected storms. You might want to take an umbrella with you when you ride, just in case. A sudden storm could be a-if you'll pardon the expression-damper on being out-of-doors."

Fiona, already on her way up the stairs, replied without thinking, "I'm sorry." She slowed in her steps at the silence that followed and looked over her shoulder at the butler. Devonsgate was frowning. "Madam, I didn't mean to imply fault. The weather is merely unpredictable." She stopped on the top landing. "I know. I just meant..."Oh dear. How was she going to get out of this one? "I meant I am sorry you felt you had to warn me about the sudden storms. We have a lot of that in Scotland, so it doesn't seem odd to me."

"Indeed, madam, I have heard that to be true."

"Oh yes. We have lots and lots of weather." She sent the butler a bland smile. "Perhaps it followed me here, to London."

"Then we can only wish it will find its way back home," Devonsgate said. "Shall I send up a bath,

madam?"

"No, thank you. Perhaps later." She started to turn, then paused. "Devonsgate, do you have any brothers?"

"Me, madam?" The butler looked surprised at the question. "Why, yes. Three."

"Are they older than you?"

"Yes, madam. Quite a bit."

"Have you ever asked them for advice and received only empty-headed drivel in reply?"

Devonsgate's lips twitched. "Yes, madam. I went to visit my older brother some years ago and had the

misfortune of coming down with an earache. My brother informed me that the best way to rid myself of the pain was to place a roasted garlic in my ear."

"Oh, dear! Did you do that?"

"Yes, madam. At the time, I would have tried anything."

"Did it work?"

"Not a bit. The very next day, he told me that remedy only worked on horses. The worst part of it was, even after I removed the garlic, the scent had soaked into my skin, and it was days before I could come near other persons without sending them running. Even the doctor balked at examining me. I was fortunate the earache resolved itself."

"At least your brother was attempting to be of service."

"I am not wholly convinced of that," Devonsgate said with a dark look. "I believe Robert would easily sacrifice my pride just to have a story to tell our other brothers."

Fiona laughed. "My brothers have never done anything that evil to me, though today I asked their opinion of something, and they offered me such ridiculous advice. They hope I'll follow it and make a fool of myself."

"I am glad to see you weren't taken in, madam."

"When you are the only female in a house full of males, you learn quickly." She shook her head, thinking about poor Dougal's toe. He really needed to be more attentive when Gregor was trying to pull the wool over her eyes.