Page 33 of A Touch So Wicked

Damian’s voice sounded strangely slurred. She looked up at him and noted that his eyes were glazing over. His eyebrows were together, producing one dark slash across his forehead.

“This is how I want you. Beneath me, gazing up at me with those…magnificent…green eyes. Devil…take it! What’s…wrong with…me? I…can’t seem to…think.”

Finally, Elissa thought with relief. The drugged wine was working. Twinges of conscience still plagued her, however, for finding pleasure in Damian’s kisses and enjoying his touch far too much.

Elissa blew out a sigh when Damian slumped against her. She started to ease out from under him when he lifted his head and stared at her with a clarity that belied his drugged state.

“Damn you! What…did you do…to me?” Then his eyes rolled back in his head and he went limp.

Elissa pushed him away and eased off the mattress, scrambling out of reach. But she needn’t have worried. He wasn’t going to move for a very long time. The longer she stared at him the more she worried that the drug had killed him, and that’s not what she wanted. She dressed hurriedly, her gaze never straying from Damian’s face.

Inhaling a steadying breath, Elissa cautiously approached the bed. When Damian made no threatening move, she leaned closer and placed a hand on his chest, relieved to feel the steady cadence of his heart beneath her palm. Suddenly he stirred, and she drew back sharply, but he gave no sign of awakening. Then she turned and fled. It wasn’t until she was safely in her own chamber that she allowed herself to relax.

“Did the drug work, lass?”

Elissa spun on her heel, startled to find Nan standing behind her.

“Aye, thank you, Nan. But it took longer than I expected.”

“Lord Damian isna a wee man. I should have told you it wouldna work immediately.” She gave Elissa a shrewd look. “Are ye all right?”

Elissa flushed and looked away. “Aye, he dinna…well, he passed out before…the deed was done.”

“I donna need to tell ye he’s going to be furious when he awakens. If I were ye, lass, I’d stay out of his way until his anger cools.”

“I intend to.”

Nan grunted. “So will I, but I fear ’tis ye who will suffer his temper. I shouldna have helped ye. ‘Twill only postpone what fate has already decreed.”

Elissa’s head snapped up. “Nan! What are you saying? You’re hinting that Damian and I…that we’ll…”

“Aye, lass, ’tis bound to happen.”

“Naught is going to happen between Damian and me. I willna let it.”

“Are ye saying the demon’s touch disgusted ye? I canna believe it.”

“You donna understand, Nan,” Elissa cried. “Damian’s touch dinna disgust me, just the opposite. I enjoyed his kisses, welcomed his hands on me, and I hated myself for it. I felt like a traitor. If the drug hadna worked, I would have allowed him to take me like a…trollop.”

Sobs shook Elissa. Nan patted her shoulder, making comforting sounds. Guilt was a powerful emotion and Elissa was suffering a double dose.

“Donna fret, lass. Ye were experiencing passion for the first time.”

“But I wanted to experience passion with Tavis Gordon, not with an accursed Englishman,” Elissa wailed. “Does wanting someone make me a wanton, Nan?”

“Nay, lass. Ye are a woman attracted by a man ye want to hate. Ye should have listened when I said ye wouldna wed Tavis Gordon.”

She regarded the old woman with dread. “Am I to remain a spinster all my life?”

Nan cackled. “A spinster? Ye will present yer first child to yer husband within the year.”

Elissa recoiled in dismay. “You’re mad! Leave me, your nonsense is making my head ache.” Deliberately she turned her back on her old nurse.

“Verra well, lass, but donna waste yer time looking for a husband; he abides beneath yer verra nose.”

When Elissa whirled to deliver a scathing retort, Nan had already let herself out the door.

Chapter Seven