A deep blush colored her face prettily.
“You do look stunning, Tess.” He frowned.“The problem is, I do not know if I care to trust my brothers withescorting you downstairs. I have been trying to—”
“You look wonderful, too,” she interruptedshyly, but Colin didn’t miss the way her eyes traveled the lengthof him. She took a step toward him, and he tried desperately tofight the urge to reach for her.
“I told my parents that I would...” His words diedin his throat as Tess unconsciously tossed her dark mane back overher shoulder. The tartan wrap shifted slightly, revealing theswells of her ivory skin over the top of the dress. He swallowedhard. “I don’t know what my mother was thinking. This won’t do atall.”
“What won’t do?”
“This dress.” Colin walked across the room withevery intention of simply adjusting the wrap. But at the nextmoment, she was in his arms, and he drew her against him. Time hungsuspended between them as his gaze caressed her face beforesettling on her lips. “It just needs...”
His mouth descended and gently brushed against hers.She was so soft, so beautiful.
Looking into his eyes, Tess raised a hesitant handand touched her own lips before touching his, feeling the texture.The simple gesture made his heart pound in his chest.
Colin couldn’t stop himself from kissing her again.This time, though, all the passion he had in him poured into thecontact of their lips.
“This seems so right,” Tess whispered breathlesslywhen they broke off the kiss. “I’ve wanted you do this for solong.”
As her words registered, Colin’s hands immediatelydropped to his sides. Silently cursing himself, he tried to take astep back, but Tess touched his arm, her eyes holding his.
“What is wrong?”
She was like an angel, but with the images runningthrough his head, he felt like Auld Nick himself. He was the onlyone she knew here—the only one she could rely on. And here he was,ready to take full advantage of that trust. He finally managed tofind his voice.
“Nothing,” he said gruffly. “I…I told my parentsthat I would escort you to the Great Hall.”
“Of course.” She couldn’t hide the note of sadnessin her voice. “I am ready.”
“I’ve hurt you.”
She shook her head and tried to turn away, but hetook her hand. “Tess—”
“This is all part of this game, isn’t it? The gamethat you said once that women play. I should not say…say what Ifeel. Honesty is not allowed. ‘Tis all part of the education thatI…that I lack.”
“Nay, Tess. This is about me and how I feelabout you. This is about caring for someone so much that you wantto do everything right. This is about responsibility and even aboutprotecting your good name.”
“This is all...all…” She shook her head, andtears rolled down her cheeks. “I might lack much in the ways of theworld, Colin, but I know when someone does not want me.”
“That is not true. And nothing would give me greaterpleasure right now than to show to you how much I want you.” Hegently wiped the tears off her face. “But I will not take advantageof you, Tess. I cannot let our attraction for each other movebeyond the bounds of reason. There is so much that you need to workthrough right now. Making peace with your past. Finding yourfamily.”
“You are so noble,” she whispered brokenly. “And Iso wicked.”
“You are anything but that. In truth, I am thewicked one for tempting you the way I have. I am truly sorry.”Colin pressed his lips gently to the back of her hand he was stillholding. “’Twill never happen again, Tess. I promise you. You needto know that you are safe with me.”
“I do know that,” she replied somberly. Pulling herhand away, she moved toward the door.
CHAPTER 11
As they entered the festive Great Hall, thesounds of music and revelry filled the air. Great fires lit thefireplaces, and food and drink were being carried in by castleworkers wearing bright ribbons and followed by ever hopeful dogs. Anumber of men playing bagpipes marched around the hall, andchildren from the village danced happily behind them. On everyside, laughter and merriment surrounded the latecomers, and no oneappeared to even notice their entrance.
Tess glanced at the long tables, filled withmen and women of every generation. She saw the Macpherson warriorsand sailors they had traveled with sitting among them. At the dais,the laird and his lady were obviously enjoying the festivities.Tess couldn’t help but wonder if Ravenie Castle at one time hadbeen like Benmore. She glanced at the long tables again. And for amoment she saw in her mind’s eye different faces, a differenttartan, another clan. A company of rowdy Highlanders sitting aroundone end of a trestle table with large trenchers of food beforethem. Their boots heavily stained. Their tartans covered with thedust of their travels.
Tess roused herself from her reverie as sherealized a hush had fallen over the Hall. The musicians ceasedtheir playing, and all eyes were upon her. Colin held on to herhand as she nervously tried to take a step back. She glanced downat the dress that had been intended for Lady Fiona. She stared atthe Macpherson tartan that covered her shoulders and the Lindsaybrooch that held it in place, and she wondered if the quiet werecaused by an outsider wearing their plaid. She had not stopped evento consider the appropriateness of wearing the tartan. Her mindraced to think of what else could cause such a reaction.
“What have I done?” she asked Colin uneasily.
“You have stunned them with your radiance,”Colin whispered reassuringly. “Because of all the stories, I thinkthey were expecting either a wee wild child…or some haughtyLowlander like your mother.”
