“Unless ye ken how tae wield it properly, a sword will be almost useless tae ye. It could even be used against ye,” he said, circling her, assessing her stance. Afraid to touch her because of what it might unleash, he gingerly repositioned her arms and legs correctly.
“Like this?” she asked, naturally adopting the pose with a rapidity that stunned him. Some of his own men were not so quick on the uptake.
He nodded his approval, feeling an unwarranted burst of pride. “Good. Ye learn quick. Let’s see how ye dae holdin’ it with both hands, maintainin’ yer defensive stance like I showed ye.”
As the lesson advanced, Malcolm was surprised at how well she was doing. “Ye’re light on yer feet,” he told her, “and that can be an advantage over a bigger assailant. Ye can duck and dodge and sneak in under his defenses.”
“Daes it matter that I’m small?” she asked, practicing her forward lunges as she spoke. The way her auburn hair flew out and her dress clung to her curves was just about driving him to distraction.
Dismayed to feel the familiar, awkward stirring his loins, he cleared his throat before replying, “Nay, nae necessarily. Small and agile can be very effective.”
“Och, that’s good news,” she said, unaware that every movement she made was pushing him closer to losing control.
“Here, let me correct the position of yer hands,” he said, unable to stop himself from coming up behind and reaching around her, his large body enfolding her slender one as he placed his hands over hers and adjusted her grip with precision.
She stiffened, as well she might, since he could feel his cock already hardening and likely pressing against her back. He knew he was making a terrible mistake but could not seem to move away. She had frozen, yet where their bodies touched, heat flared and spread outwards, a conflagration engulfing them both. He forced himself to act before it consumed them both.
“Very good,” he said, his voice a croak as he stepped resolutely away from her. “Ye have a natural aptitude. But I think that’s enough fer today.”
Catriona turned to him, eyes bright, her face flushed with the exertion. Or maybe it was from being pressed so close to him. Part of him could not help hoping it was the latter, even though he knew it was wrong. But the pull was just so powerful.
“Thank ye fer yer time, Malcolm. Can we dae this some more? I’d like tae train regularly so I can improve faster.”
He sensed her anxiety about Sinclair was deepening, hence her desire to learn to fight. And he admired her for it. But he knew that if he did not immediately remove himself from her company, something terrible might happen.
So, in his haste to leave, he only said more brusquely than intended, “We’ll discuss it another time. I havetae go now. I’ll see ye at supper.”
Then he stalked over to the rear door, breathing a huge sigh of relief when it closed behind him.
Catriona stared after him, irritated by his sudden dismissal when she had been doing so well. He had said so himself. Besides, something inside her was unwilling to let the lesson end so abruptly. Certainly, it had to do with the heated exhilarationof having his body plastered against hers, her body still thrumming like a harp, although she would never admit it.
For whatever reason, she was roused to at least challenge him about cutting the lesson short and just walking away like that. Before she knew what she was doing, she went after him.
She caught him in the long, narrow stone passage that led from the rear door of the armory to the castle interior. It reminded her of the priory tunnels.
She frowned as she hurried after him, unsure if she was imagining that he sped up after hearing the door close and her footfalls behind him.
“Malcolm,” she called after him, picking up her skirts and jogging to catch up to him. “Wait!” She put a restraining hand on his arm. He drew to a halt and swung around to face her.
The passage was narrow and there was barely any space between them. She looked up into eyes, which were dark, noticing his cheekbones were flushed as returned her gaze. He was so incredibly handsome, her stomach flipped.
But it did not deter her from remonstrating with him. “Hey, why are ye in such a rush tae leave? We’ve hardly been at it a quarter of an hour, and ye said I was improvin’. Ye cannae just walk out in the middle of me lesson.”
“I remembered I have tae be somewhere,” he replied, shifting his feet uneasily as though about to take off.
“But—” she began.
“There’s nay but, Catriona. I havetae go.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently but forcefully moved her away from him.
She bridled. “What d’ye think ye’re daein’? I’m nae a piece of furniture ye can move about.”
“Catriona, I’m gonna walk away now,” he said, removing his hands. His voice was so thick and full of tension that it demanded her attention. “Dinnae follow me, please.”
She put her hands on her hips, frowning with a mixture of confusion and frustration. “Why?”
He hesitated, his deep brown eyes burning into hers. “Because if I stay any longer,” he replied in a strange, husky voice that made her shiver, “I’ll put yer honor and mineandme friendship with Duncan in jeopardy.”
She watched in stunned silence as he stalked away down the corridor and disappeared around the corner, his words ringing in her ears.
