Page 32 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

His eyes captured hers for the briefest of seconds, sending her a haunting glance. Suddenly on the wrong foot, Deva did not know what to say. The only thing she could do was to find some grace.

Bringing her hands down to her waist, Deva stood in position, waiting for the next dance. The fiddlers were searing to their peak, and it felt like they had been dancing forever.

And as they turned the reel, she caught his breath, coming in waves. She looked at him in consternation.

“Niven, I’m sorry,” she said, simply, as her legs performed a graceful pirouette. It was all she could say. Suddenly, the shoe was on the other foot.

As the fiddlers tapped out the last strains of the dance, she leaned in towards him.

“And I am sorry, Niven, about everything. Tell me what to do, an’ I will make it up to ye.”

Her words hung in the air, hoping to beseech him. But just when she thought she had made some impression, he cut away.

But there was no time to be waylaid. The compere had come back out to front the crowd. It was clear by now that there was more interest in feasting and drinking than in the dance, and he quickly clapped his hands to announce a toast.

“To the clans of Macaulay and MacLean, two great clans joined together as one whole!” the announcer said as a huge cheer went up.

Deva’s head swirled madly. Then, she felt her father’s hand upon her.

Immediately, she jumped, her heart beating in her mouth. When she turned, it was to see the Laird of MacLean beaming at the both of them.

“Well then, lassie, young sir…” MacLean nodded civilly at Niven, “I can see yer shortly to be on yer way, so what say we have one last toast, afore ye leave us.”

MacLean smiled genially. This was not a look she was used to seeing on her father, and Deva felt her shoulders clench in unease.

“Ladies an’ gentlemen,” tapped MacLean, bringing the attention of the crowd back to focus. “For one last time, let’s raise a toast to Deva an’ her new home an’ hear it for the Macaulays!”

She could feel her father’s breath upon her. Tensely, Deva smiled. She could sense his ill-temper beneath his smile. She knew something she had done had displeased him. Maybe it was the dance. They had been too close.

But then again, it could have been anything. Her father didn’t need much excuse to fly off the handle.

The crowd roared and cheered, and beneath the noise, Deva glanced at Niven shyly. Her father fixed her with his gaze. For sure, he was going to say something, Deva thought. But instead, he just put a hand on Niven’s shoulder and then shook his hand.

“Well, good luck to ye son, an’ yer uncle. Yer goin’ tae need it wi’ this one!” he thumped Niven on the back, and he grinned uncomfortably.

For a moment, Deva thought that more was coming – it wasn’t like her father to hold back. But it didn’t come. Instead, MacLean bade them farewell. Slowly, the cheering crowd faded, and before she knew it, they were walking back across the emptying field, alone.

Since he didn’t want to talk, Deva decided to take the plunge. “So,” said Deva, when they were far enough away not to be heard. Niven swiveled around to look at her.

“So, what do ye say, maybe we promise nae to pretend anymore,” she asked gently. It had taken a long time to reach this point. Suddenly, Deva was exhausted. She just wanted him to understand why she had lied.

Her tiredness unraveling, she could think of nothing more than just catching some time somewhere, with a cold dram. By now, they were standing by their horses, just preparing to go. Niven looked at her strangely.

“Well, lass, I nae pretended,” he said, casting her a searching glance, “But yer right, we should start afresh, at least for the sake of the laird. So, come on, then, new lady of Macaulay, yer carriage awaits!”

Chapter Ten

She was here. She was real. Her lips were smooth and just begging for his touch. As was she. Niven’s hesitated at the sight of Deva, so near to him.

It felt an age since they had been together like this. To draw attention away from his feelings, he cracked the whip of his horse.

“Come on, Odin!” he said, “We want to get there afore sunset!”

He wanted to be gone. To get this awkward situation out of the way and deliver her safely to his uncle. He knew he should not linger over this moment.

But the thought of her, here, so close to him, burned within him. And then there were all the events leading up to it.

Things could have nearly been so different. He had arrived to find his brother preparing to take his place. If he had got his way, it most likely would have been Fingal who would have led the jig with Deva!