Page 79 of Enchantment of a Highlander

Celia’s joy had gone quiet and her expression was pensive. He hadn’t wanted her to know he’d come to her cottage before returning to the castle.

The less she knew, the better, especially with her situation being so dire.

Wynda crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him. “I know ye dinna like it, but I want to hug ye right now.” A frown pulled at her lips, but she didn’t move.

Alec groaned inwardly. The woman and her damn hugs.

Wynda stared up at him like a pup who’d gone too long without a meal, her eyes glossy with emotion.

“Fine,” he grunted.

Gone were the tears and in their place was a squeal and a bone-crushing embrace. If the woman weren’t so good at baking bread, he might do well to throw her in his ranks.

“Now, ye’ve got to see to yer men,” Wynda scolded, releasing him. “They’ve been asking after ye and the stable hand needs to speak with ye as well. And when ye’re done with all that, I want ye in the kitchen to help with some of the meal plans.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but she wagged a finger at him. “And dinna give me that look. Ye’ve put it off for long enough.”

The weight of responsibility was back like a heavy cloak straining across his shoulders.

He had the men, he had the staff, he had the horses and the blacksmith, and now the cook. And he still needed to go see MacDougall to try to quell some of this insanity.

The darkness flickered inside him, writhing in protest at the burgeoning impossibility of any real accomplishment with so many tasks.

“Can I help?” Celia stepped closer.

Her fingertips brushed his once, subtle as the swipe of a butterfly’s wing, and then she stepped away from him.

Wynda clapped her hands. “I’d love yer help in preparing a list of meals. I dinna get much from him.” She nodded toward Alec.

“That isna necessary,” Alec said. “Ye’ve got yer healing. I willna take from that.”

Celia looked up at him. “I know herbs well and it will take but a moment to provide a list of ingredients I think Wynda is looking for.”

She glanced toward the cook for confirmation and Wynda gave an eager nod.

The silk dress made her eyes stand out, complex and beautiful as the dark night sky against her fair face. He wanted to stare into them until he saw the heavens twinkle stars in those blue depths. And then he wanted to stare further still to count them all.

No man could deny a woman so beautiful.

“Go to your men,” Celia said. “I’ll see you this evening.” Her voice was low with an unspoken promise. “At supper,” she added quickly. Her cheeks went a brilliant shade of red.

He bit back his grin, lest she see how he took her reply. While he hadn’t brought her to Duart to be his mistress, it certainly wouldn’t stop him from luring her to his bed.

• • •

Supper came more quickly than Alec had anticipated.

The aroma of spiced sauces lingered in the air, hovering over the savory scent of roasted meat. Duncan sat at the table with a healthy flush to his cheeks Alec hadn’t seen in far too long. It was good to see him. His empty seat had cast a shadow on all the meals prior.

He caught a glimpse of pale blonde hair and his heart quickened. Celia stood like a queen among his household, her back straight, her head lifted with the self-assured pride he’d noticed the first day they met.

In place of the silk gown she’d once worn, she had now donned a cloth gown of pale blue. While he’d enjoyed the sheen of silk on her body, so too did he appreciate the way the softer fabric clung to her beautiful body. He longed to glide his palms down her waist, her hips, her sweetly curved bottom.

Her name was on every set of lips in the castle. Not only did they see her as a savior, she was kind and gracious and had spent the afternoon setting up a small room for her healing.

He caught her gaze over the laden tables and a smile spread over her lips. Not the overconfident smile of someone wanting to charm or prove a point, but the shy, careful smile of a person whose heart had opened wide enough to make everything feel tentative and uncertain.

He wanted her, not just in his bed, but beside him. Not just now, but for the rest of their lives.