Page 34 of A Touch So Wicked

Damian cranked his eyes open, aware of several things at once: his head throbbed, his mouth tasted foul, and sunlight was slanting through the window. It wasn’t like him to sleep past dawn. His brows drew together in painful concentration as he tried to recall the night past.

Memory returned in fits and starts.

Elissa

Gingerly he shifted his body and reached across the bed. The place beside him was empty, and suddenly he remembered. Despite his rattled brain, he recalled the wine he’d imbibed at Elissa’s insistence, and anger exploded through him. She’d drugged him! Rage brought him surging out of bed. The moment his feet hit the floor he swayed dizzily and grasped the bedpost to keep from falling.

The deceitful vixen! This was the first time a woman had made a fool of him and he vowed it would be the last. He’d be the laughingstock if anyone got wind of this. He tottered over to the washbowl, filled it with water from the pitcher, and plunged his head into the bowl. After two dunkings, his wits returned, and he forced his mind back to the events of the previous night.

He’d been suspicious of the wine from the beginning. It wasn’t like Elissa to be so obliging. He should have gone with his gut feeling, but he was so damn aroused he could think of nothing but being inside Elissa. And like a besotted fool he’d watched her sip the wine and believed it safe.

Aye. A bloody fool he’d been.

Bitterness welled up inside him. Did she intend to kill him? He discarded that thought immediately. Had she wanted to, she could have plunged a knife into his heart while he lay unconscious. Elissa wasn’t a killer; she was a conniver. He’d have to watch her carefully, be on his guard for her next trick. But whether she liked it or not, he would have her. And soon.

Damian found Elissa in the courtyard with Lora. She’d managed to avoid him the entire morning, but he wasn’t about to let her escape his wrath so easily. Lora spied him first.

“Damian! Would you like to see the rag doll Lissa made for me?” She held Elissa’s creation up for Damian’s inspection.

Damian smiled at Lora, then slanted a dark glance at Elissa, pleased to note the flicker of fear in her green eyes. She had good reason to fear him.

“You’re looking well, little one,” he said, returning his attention to the child.

“I’m verra well, thank you. Nan said I’m well enough to be up and about now.”

“That is good news,” Damian said, genuinely pleased.

Just then two children skipped up and grasped Lora’s hand. “Come to the stables with us, Lora. Patches had her kittens.”

Damian had seen the children about before but didn’t know who they belonged to.

“Is it all right, Lissa?” Lora asked hopefully.

“Nay, I donna think…”

“Run along, Lora,” Damian said in a voice that brooked no argument. “I would like a private word with your sister.”

Lora and her friends skipped off. “Who are they?” Damian asked. “I’ve seen those children around but don’t know who they belong to.”

“They’re Lachlan’s grandchildren,” Elissa said. “Their father died at Culloden and Lachlan’s been supporting them since they were just wee bairns. Now if you’ll excuse me…”

“Not so fast. Walk with me,” he said, grasping her arm to keep her from fleeing.

Elissa dragged her feet but Damian would have none of it. He pulled her along with him until they reached a place where they couldn’t be overheard. He stopped so abruptly she bounced against him. Then he rounded on her, his face ripe with accusation.

“You tried to kill me! Did you think to escape Sir Richard’s wrath had you succeeded? You would have been put to death.”

Elissa blanched. Kill him? How could he think that of her? “Nay, I did no such thing.”

“What drug did you use?”

“A sleeping potion. It did you no harm.”

“Treachery! Do you despise me so much?”

“You’re an Englishman,” she said, as if that explained everything. “I belong to Tavis Gordon.”

He grasped her shoulders and dragged her against him, his expression fiercely determined. “You belong to me. Accept it. Your fate is in my hands. You will come to my bed, Elissa, without coercion on my part. I swear it!”