I took the quill from his grasp and held it, our fingers entwining around it. “Did you really write all that?”
“Aye,” he said, and I was happy to see that my touch had eased him; a hint of mischievousness sparked in him as our eyes met. “Well, Iwaswriting it until you took my quill.”
“You’re supposed to be teaching me,” I teased him gently, but I was somewhat breathless from his sentences. “I’ve hardly learned anything.”
He smiled. “Not true. You’ve learned to read ‘I.’”
“I think I already knew that.”
He turned to me, straddling my knees between his own, holding my face in his large hands. “You learned that I find this mouth the most irresistible, pink, delectable—”
“I think I already knew that, as well.”
His mouth was very close to mine.
Quietly he said, “And you learned that I love you. Deeply. Madly. Insatiably. Did you know that already, too, Roses?”
He kissed me. And again, longer, deeper, warmer. He kissed me tenderly, endlessly. And that was the end of my lesson, for now.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ONTHEEVEOFTHEclan gathering, Wilkie escorted me to his antechambers, where my bath was waiting for me.
“When you are ready, Fergus will escort you to the hall, where the women are preparing for the arrival of Laird Morrison.” He seemed slightly miffed at the mention of the guest’s name. Or maybe it was just me, reading my own emotion into his words. “You’d prefer Ailie’s and Christie’s company than to remain here throughout the day?” he asked, knowing full well I wouldn’t want to be cooped up alone in his antechamber for hours on end. And I wouldn’t be allowed to accompany him today. The entire clan, Wilkie included, was readying the keep for guests.
“Oh, aye.”
“My sisters will keep you well entertained,” he assured me. This was true, and I was thankful I’d have their company, and could work, and help, and keep busy.
“There is a spare bed being fitted for you in my sisters’ chambers,” Wilkie said, “’Tis a front, while the guests are about.”
“A front,” I repeated, getting his meaning.
He didn’t respond but continued staring at me evenly.
“Ah,” I said. “To keep my reputation intact.” Again I detected a nudging sense of unease in him. I began tentatively. “Will I—”
“You’ll sleep with me,” he said curtly. He was annoyed and surly on the subject, so I didn’t prod him. I suppose I should have been grateful that my reputation was being so thoughtfully considered.
“And now I will give you one small kiss,” he said. “Since anything more than that would cause me to be remiss in my duties, such is the temptation of you. But I will return to you this evening.” His voice was low when he continued. “And I will kiss you much more than once, and I will taste of your honeyed pleasure on my tongue.”
He touched me only with his mouth, the kiss erotic in its lightness, then he left me to my bath and to my day.
In the short time I had been at Kinloch, I’d been cleaner than ever before in my life, I reflected. Still not accustomed to such luxuries, I decided to appreciate my good fortune. I used the rose-scented soaps that had been laid out by women that were not Effie, nor Wilkie’s sisters. Having spent years in the gossipy kitchens and servants’ quarters of the Ogilvie manor, I knew that the news of my presence and my mysterious arrival would travel like wildfire. My accommodations, whether I was in Wilkie’s chambers or not, would be discussed. My rescue would be recounted. My placement and origins enquired about. I cared little. My reputation—as Laird Mackenzie had so generously pointed out—was hardly an issue. And, I couldn’t help wondering, if Ailie’s and Christie’s chambers were to be used as a front, then why was my bath being brought in here? It almost seemed as though Wilkiewantedto encourage rumors on the subject.
If I was never to marry Wilkie, if I was never to join with him as I wanted, if I was forever spoiled foranother man regardless of any of these details, or in spite of them: I refused to allow myself to fret. That I had much to worry about was obvious enough. I could not predict what the future would hold, and in fact I didn’t care to. I wanted to ride the anticipation of seeing Wilkie tonight. He had promised he would teach me another letter. And I felt excited about my day, as well, being included in clan activities and the company of Wilkie’s lovely, welcoming sisters. Beyond that, I preferred not to let my worries tread.
One growing prickling worry that refused to be squelched, though, was the issue of the guests that the Mackenzie clan were readying themselves to host. An elderly, ailing laird and his bevy of daughters and nieces, all heiresses in their own right, competing for a husband who would be gifted his own lairdship. And not just any husband. Every single one of them had their eyes on one particular conquest.Mywarrior.
The Morrisons.
* * *
ONCEIHADBATHED, I checked my face in the small hand mirror and saw that a small reddish bruise remained, but otherwise my face was not damaged from my attack by the Ogilvie raiders. My ribs were still sore, and a purplish mark remained from where I’d been slung over the Ogilvie warrior’s shoulder, but it didn’t restrict my movement much.
I dressed and braided and bound my hair. And I was escorted by Fergus, who said nothing but looked at me once or twice with a slightly confounded expression as he led me down the stairs and into the excitable activity of the hall. More than a dozen women were talking and working. Ailie and Christie saw me and immediatelyrushed over to ask on my health, as they hadn’t seen me since the attempted abduction, and I assured them I was well and ready to assist them in any way they required.
Ailie was particularly invigorated today, and I wondered over her excitement. I inquired, carefully, hoping I wasn’t overstepping my boundaries.
