Page 67 of Seducing the Knave

The girl’s casual use of his given name triggered something uncomfortable in Elle’s core, and she felt an odd need to claim her place. “For the time being.”

The girl’s eyes widened beneath arched brows. “Really?”

Slightly offended by the girl’s apparent skepticism, Elle replied a bit stiffly, “Yes, really.”

“Hmmm.”

The girl said nothing more though she seemed to study Elle even more intently.

The whole interaction was starting to feel quite odd.

With a shake of her head, Elle asked, “I’m sorry, but who are you, exactly?”

The girl smiled. “Oh, I’m Caillie.”

“Caillie?”

Noting Elle’s confusion, the younger woman gave a snort of disappointment. “I suppose he hasnae told you about me.” She sighed and shook her head. “Then I’m afraid I cannae either. Though I can say I’m not what you’re probably thinking I am,” she added with another flashing smile that was suddenly familiar in the oddest way. “But dinnae fash yersel, I’ve only popped in for a moment.” Withdrawing a small book from a deep pocket of her skirt, she gestured with it as if it explained everything. “A wee bit of reverse burglary,” she noted, a spark of mischief in her eyes.

Then she strode toward one of the stacks of books behind the sofa and added her offering to the top.

Elle looked around at the other random piles of books. “All of these books are from you?”

“Aye,” the girl replied as she crossed back to where Elle stood halfway to the double doors. It was obvious that after her initial surprise, Caillie was far less disturbed by having encountered Elle here than Elle was to encounter her.

“You must come by quite frequently,” Elle noted stiffly, considering the number of books stacked about the room.

Caillie shrugged. “Not as often as I’d like, honestly.”

At that point, Elle’s own curiosity got the best of her. “Why books?”

Caillie flashed another smile. “The verra first time I met Max, I noticed he seemed rather fascinated with the collection in our library, though I knew he’d never come round to admitting it. The next time I saw him, I snuck my favorite novel into his coat pocket.” Her sly grin slipped suddenly into a scowl. “I reckoned at the time I’d been verra clever and sneaky, but now that I think on it, I realize he’d surely been aware of my actions.”

With a husky little chuckle at her own expense, the girl started toward the doors behind Elle. “Well, I’m sorry tae’ve disturbed you.” Pausing, she turned back. “It was lovely to meet you...ah...” She tilted her head. “I dinnae ken your name.”

“Elle.”

Caillie smiled again. “Lovely to meet you, Elle. I reckon I’ll see you again.”

After the girl’s departure, Elle lost all motivation to leave the room. It didn’t escape her notice that although Caillie had entered via the spiral staircase, she’d left through the double doors as bold as anything. As though—despite what she’d said about not having permission to be there—she most certainly belonged there. More so than Elle, at least.

In truth, if they’d met under any other circumstances, Elle likely would have been strongly compelled to like the girl for her bright manner and unabashed candor.

But it bothered her that she had no idea who she was to Max.

And the fact that it bothered her as much as it did...bothered her even more.

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