AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She believed Aidan hid other scars, on both body and soul. And she now believed the hideous rumor must be true, that he concealed a brand somewhere on his body. Her eyes inadvertently skimmed his shirt. She knew she’d never be able to discern it through his clothing, but still she couldn’t tear her eyes away, straining to see altered texture or color through the fabric, scanning his chest, down his arms, to the flat sheen of scar at his wrist.
She looked up and blanched.
Aidan had noticed her scrutiny and was staring at her through slitted eyes. Stiffening, he tugged his sleeve back over his wrist. “Enough of this,” he snapped. “It’s time to work. ”
He left her standing there, an empty cup in her hand and an ache in her soul.
Just when he’d been enjoying himself, enjoying the Scottish air in his lungs and home soil beneath his feet, living the fantasy of an honest day’s work with an honest woman by his side, he’d looked up to find her staring at the cursed scar on his wrist. Staring at him as though he were a monkey in a cage.
Sitting shrouded in darkness at the edge of his bed, he studied his wrist, the guttering candle casting yellow light on the slick band of skin. Shackles. It was merely one of the many marks that others had carved upon him, like dogs pissing on their territory. He’d been mutilated, swaths of his skin buckled and gnarled into ribbons of scars. From shackles on wrists and ankles. The whip at his back. And the brand on his forearm that would forever announce him the property of Wellcome Plantation.
Elspeth’s eyes had gone wide when she’d seen his wrist. If she flinched so at that, how would she react to his brand? How she’d pale. It would disgust her, terrify her. Shock her even more than she was already.
Tugging up his sleeve, he glared at the crudely shaped letters. WP.
His tutor seemed too good to be true. Meek and nervous, thoughtful and kind. Such a woman would probably be too frightened, too repulsed even to touch him.
She’d touched him once, with a light hand on his, guiding his quill. But what would it feel like to have her hands on his body? His chest ached to imagine it.
He’d only ever been with hardened women, who perceived sex as currency, or pursued it for their self-flattering pleasure alone. But Elspeth was gentle, and innocent still.
In her darkest, most passionate heart, who was she really? If he touched her, would he find the meek girl she showed to the world, or the woman with the spark in her eyes? Because such a woman would be a wondrous thing—over, under, and beside a man.
Which was the true Elspeth? He ran his finger over the brand, thinking he had a mind to shock the real woman right out of her.
Chapter 9
Elspeth nearly fainted as she led Imogen back into the paddock after milking. Aidan had showed up shirtless, wearing naught but his plaid, and was galloping down the hillside to the pasture. To her pasture.
He crested the hill. Hiking her skirts, she ran to meet him halfway.
Naked chest heaving, he swept her into his arms.
“I raced the whole way. I couldn’t stay away. ”
She laughed as he spun her. “Are you come to kiss me?”
A sheep butted her hip, and she looked down to find a lean black face looking up at her. The creature was a scraggly thing, with a star of white on her forehead. “Aye, Athena, and so you’re right. A girl needs to remember what she’s about. ” She stole a glance at Aidan setting to work in the distance. “And it’s not dashing rogues who don’t care a nit whether or not we’re alive. ”
Digging a handful of oats from her pocket, she lured Athena back inside the gate. “I’m just a tutor, and we best remember that. Aidan only helps us because he owes a debt. I’m not a pirate bride—just a farmer’s daughter, and a decidedly poor one at that. ”
She realized her palm was empty and dusted her hands, seeing the sheep had wandered off again. It happened to be in the direction of Aidan’s fence. Elspeth scurried to follow. “Going to steal a closer look, are you? Naughty lass. ”
Aidan continued to work, but he ignored them utterly, and so she let her eyes linger. “Can you fancy that? The man is half naked. I’ll bet you thought you were dreaming the sight. He’s magnificent, like an Adonis. ” She butted the sheep with her hip. “You’re a wanton to be staring so. What say you? Has the sun and sweat finally gotten to him? Is that why he’s come only in his plaid?”
Aidan’s head popped up as though summoned, his eyes landing directly on hers.
Cheeks burning, she gave a weak wave, and turned her attention back to the sheep. “Now look how you’ve embarrassed yourself. We need to concentrate—there’s work to be done. Shall we take you to the far hill for a graze?”
She let the other animals out of the paddock, stealing another look at Aidan as she held open the gate. “Losh, but his body is the same color as his arms. You mark me, ladies: this isn’t the first time the man has labored shirtless and bootless. They say he has a brand, but blast if my cursed eyes can make it out. ”
She squinted. The sun shimmered on his skin, and there seemed to be an uneven glint of light and shadow. A scar? She couldn’t be sure.
He picked up a stone and hauled it into place.
“Look how he moves, lifting those rocks as though they were nothing. ” The last of her flock had exited, and dragging the gate shut, she stepped closer to him. “I’m afraid we need to walk right by him, so mind your manners. None of you make fools of yourselves. ” Herding the animals, she peered his way, and he came into focus as she neared.
“Losh,” she whispered, “he’s powerful indeed. ” His was a broad expanse of flesh, and though she’d seen through his shirt how strong he was, it was nothing compared to how he appeared without it. He had muscles in places she’d never before seen—at the slope between neck and shoulder, on the backs of his arms. “Like a Greek marble. ”
