An adorable pink color spread over her face and the upper part of her chest and she gave him an uncertain glance, pain-filled and raw.
"I was happy to help you out then, just as I am now."
"'Tistwo far different things," she whispered.
"It matters not to me."
A knock sounded at the door. "M'lady!" a female voice called. "'Tistime for supper!"
Calla sat up, wide-eyed. "Just a minute!" She turned to Rebbie. "Hide," she whispered.
Unmoving, Rebbie frowned. "Why ever for?"
"Shh."
"Sounds like the housekeeper," he whispered.
She nodded.
"Do we really care what she thinks?"
"Maybe you don't. But I don't want her shooting me looks of scorn."
Women.He shook his head, gave her a wee smile, and slid from the bed. He didn't understand what all the fuss was about.'Twasnot as if the housekeeper was going to crash Edinburgh society and spread rumors about them. They were in the middle of nowhere and the only people nearby were crofters. Besides, Mistress Hillman liked him and Calla. He didn't think she would start gossip.
The blanket wrapped around her, Calla approached the door. "I'll be down in a few minutes."
"Very well." Light footsteps hastened away.
Calla rushed back to the bed, threw down the blanket and grabbed her petticoats.
Having already slipped the shirt over his head, he belted his plaid and watched her, taking in the lush beauty of her naked curves. Arousal burned into him. Damn, but he wanted to toss her upon the bed again. Catching his eye, she sent him a mock look of censure.
Sending her a devilish smile, he shrugged. "Cannot help myself. You are a feast for the eyes." And mouth. Aye, he wanted to lick every inch of her.
Blushing, she allowed a wee smile to peep out, then donned her corset.'Twasthe sort that laced in front. How he loved the way it pushed up her breasts and created delectable cleavage. He growled, pulled her to him, and kissed the upper swells of her breasts.
"You are luscious," he hissed.
"Rebbie," she chastised in a loud whisper but couldn't hold back a wee giggle.
He pressed one last kiss to her cleavage and stood back, grinning, so aroused he was near mad with it. He helped her with her dress and they were soon ready to leave the room, though he didn't want to. He supposed the servants would wag their tongues if they stayed in bed and ignored supper.
"I'll slip out first, and go to my chamber," he said. "I'll see you in the great hall."
"Very well."
"But first..." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly.
***
"I'm going to take Devil out for a run. Want to go with me?" Rebbie asked Calla the next day after the midday meal in the great hall.
"Are you certain 'tis safe? What about the wolves… and Claybourne?"
"I have two pistols, if the wolves attack. I've had the castle's guards stationed on the ramparts since we arrived, keeping an eye out for Claybourne or anyone approaching. They've seen naught thus far. Besides, we'll not ride far."
Rebbie didn't know why he was asking her to accompany him on Devil's daily exercise run, but he loved the way she felt riding behind him, her arms around him. Once Lachlan and all the men arrived to help escort her back toDraughon, he would have almost no private time with her. And he found he enjoyed spending time with her, even if all they did was talk or ride a horse. Something about her smile and the way her eyes met his with trust and eagerness clutched at his heart.
