Page 21 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

Elsea hastened up the steps and opened the front door. The scents of wood smoke and whisky thickened the air.

Talnaroch was raising a dram when he glanced at her. "What the devil?" He slammed the glass onto the table, spilling the whisky. "What are you doing here... m'lady?"

She stopped, forcing her eyes to widen as if she were a naïve girl. "Oh, are you nay happy to see me, m'laird? I but wanted to surprise you." She pouted.

Eyes wide and brows lowered, he strode forward. "And what a delightful surprise you are, lovely lady." His grin could only be called demonic.

Chapter 5

"How on earth did you come to be here?" Talnaroch asked smoothly, his gray eyes glinting with spiteful intent. The scent of whisky wafted on his breath.

"I followed you." With a seductive grin, Elsea fluttered her lashes a bit.

"Alone?" With a faux worried frown, he took her hands into his clammy ones.

"Aye." She forced herself not to draw away from him and his repulsive touch.

"Why would you take such risks, sweet lass?" He kissed her knuckles.

She almost cringed. "I wished to see you. And tell you...." Saints, what excuse could she give? The betrothal.

"Tell me what?" he urged with feigned patience.

"That I... accept your proposal."

"Oh, my love." He kissed her hands again, his gaze turning smug. "You've made me the happiest of men. I'm so glad you've agreed. We did nay wish to force you into it."

Her blood turned to icy loch water, silencing her for a long moment. "What do you mean?" she finally asked.

"Your brother and I."

"Force?" She frowned.

"Nay. Forget that, sweeting." A strained grin widened his lips. "No one is forcing you to do anything. You just said you wish to marry me."

"Aye, but what did William say?"

"He signed the betrothal contract before I left, so we're all in agreement now. All is well." He smirked.

Her muscles stiffened, and her hands clenched. Why had Will done that? He'd said he would wait a fortnight for her decision. Or was this bastard lying?

"I'm glad you've decided now instead of later. I knew you liked me." Talnaroch winked. "Does William know you followed me?"

"Aye," Elsea lied. Her brother might assume she followed Talnaroch, but he wouldn't have any notion where they were, in truth. Unless the earl had told him of this place. Anyway, she had to deal with this miscreant carefully and keep him thinking she was newly smitten with him, else he would become dangerous.

"I wish you hadn't put yourself in so much peril, my dear. Ruthless ruffians lurk in these parts."

Aye, including him.

"I'm well, and there's nay need to fash yourself over it," she said.

"You are a tougher lady than I realized. But I should nay be surprised, in truth." Talnaroch lifted a brow and grinned. "Clearly you wish to create another scandal, aye?"

She switched to a flirty, coquettish look. "Why not? Once we marry, 'twill be resolved."

"Indeed." His gaze turned calculating and lustful, as if he expected her to warm his bed this night. "Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Nay."