Page 61 of A Touch So Wicked

“Nonsense!” Elissa jeered. “Take your bizarre statements elsewhere, I have no patience for them.”

“Verra well, lass, but donna forget my words. Sleep well.”

The way she said, “sleep well,” sent chills down Elissa’s spine. Nan’s premonitions were often vague and sometimes frightening, but this time they made no sense.

Still pondering what Nan had said, Elissa undressed and readied herself for bed. Sighing wearily, she turned the lamp low, slid under the covers, and closed her eyes, trying not to think about what was going on in Kimbra’s bedchamber. Damian was a virile man and Kimbra a seductively lovely woman. Their marriage was a foregone conclusion; they had every right to indulge themselves in any way they wished.

Elissa was flirting with sleep when a creaking of the door hinges warned her that she wasn’t alone. Had Nan returned to spout more nonsense? Was something wrong with her mother? She sat up and struck a match to a candle.

It was Damian. He was leaning against the closed door, a dark shadow of a man she’d recognize anywhere. Blades of diffused light slashed across his face, concealing more than they revealed. His expression was guarded, his eyes were unreadable.

“What do you want?” Elissa asked over the thunderous beating of her heart.

Damian pushed himself away from the door. “I couldn’t sleep. I tried to engage Sir Richard in conversation or a game of cards, but he preferred Maggie’s company. Sir Brody had already retired, and there was no one else about.”

Elissa pulled the covers up to her neck. “Go away. How dare you enter my chamber without my permission? Have you tired of Lady Kimbra’s company already?”

Damian approached the bed with catlike grace. “This is my home. I go where I wish. As for Lady Kimbra, I’ve had all I can take of her for one night.”

“I hope you realize your lady’s behavior will lead to trouble if she isn’t curbed.”

“Forget Kimbra. There is something I wish to discuss with you.”

“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

He settled on the edge of the bed, ignoring Elissa’s murmur of protest. “We will talk now.”

“Verra well. What is it?”

“I want you to know that neither you nor your family will be sent away because Lady Kimbra wishes it. No message she dispatches to the king concerning you or your family will reach London.”

“Why would you do that? I would think you’d wish to please Lady Kimbra.”

“Aye, well—the lady doesn’t please me. I will wed her because I must, but I don’t have to like it.”

Elissa blinked up at him. “I thought she pleased you very well. Lady Kimbra is a great beauty. You seemed to enjoy kissing her.”

“She kissed me,” Damian whispered in a voice suddenly grown hoarse. “Her hair is blond and there isn’t a freckle to be found on her aristocratic nose.”

Elissa touched her nose, well aware of the smattering of freckles she’d tried to bleach with lemon when she was a child. Her gaze locked with Damian’s. His took on a seductive glint that irresistibly drew her into their glittering promise.

“Damian, nay…” She whispered the words so softly they scarcely stirred the air. She knew what he wanted for she wanted the same thing. But she couldn’t…wouldn’t

“I haven’t asked you for anything…yet.”

“Then go, before…”

“Before your desire becomes as great as mine?”

“Aye…nay…I donna know. I canna think straight when you look at me like that.”

“Then why not admit you want me?”

“’Tis not…wise. You’re going to wed Lady Kimbra. She despises me. You should let me leave before the Hanover learns I havena been disposed of according to his wishes.”

“You want me to let you go so you can run to the Gordon chieftain?”

“Nay, I will go somewhere…anywhere but to Tavis. He lost my regard when he asked me to…never mind, ’tis over and done with.”