Page 24 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

Giving her a long look to make sure she actually was fine, he eventually nodded. “I will call a gathering of the council when we return to the castle. This needs tae be addressed.”

When their meal was over, and they had thanked James and Martha for their hospitality, Benedict and Evelyn left the tavern and walked back through the main street towards their horses.

“Was that all ye needed tae dae?” Evelyn asked.

Her question caught him off guard, and he frowned down at her.

“The blacksmith,” she said as way of explanation. “Yer only reason fer coming tae the village was fer the blacksmith?”

“Well,” Benedict shrugged uncomfortably, “aye.”

“And there was nae one else in the castle that could have come and given him the message?” she said again, a smile dancing at the corner of her mouth.

As he had feared she might, Evelyn had figured out his ruse, and there was nothing he could do about it. Anything he now said in his defense would make him look guilty.

“Perhaps I just wanted tae show ye the village,” he countered.

“Aye, but I wasnae originally supposed tae come with ye,” she came back. “In fact, as I think about it, I have tae wonder if yer nae trying tae avoid me.”

She was smirking now, and he knew she was trying to tease him. The problem was, she was not wrong.

“Never,” Benedict said lightheartedly. Maybe the best way to deal with the circumstance was simply to keep things light and playful. “Who in their right mind could possibly want tae avoid such a lady as ye, Evelyn?”

She blushed, as he knew she would, and he smiled broadly at her light embarrassment. As they continued on, they passed the stall she had stopped at earlier. The pendant she had eyed, was still there, but he continued moving.

Once they reached the horses, he feigned a gasp. “Och, I need tae go back,” he declared. “Wait here. I’ll only be a moment.”

Hurrying back to the stall, he purchased the pendant, and with the excitement of delight dancing in his gut, he made his way back to the horses.

“I have something fer ye,” he said. Taking a step toward her, he opened his palm and showed her what he had bought.

Evelyn gasped. “That is fer me?”

She brought her fingers to her throat, taking hold of the pendant that sat at her neck. For a moment she looked thoughtful, and then she said, “Me maither gave me this necklace. When I touch it, it reminds me of her, which, I suppose, is why I frequently touch it.”

“It’s very beautiful,” Benedict replied. “May I?” He gestured to it.

Evelyn nodded, and then, Benedict reached forward and, moving her hair to the side, carefully took the necklace from around her slender throat. Holding the delicate jewelry in his large hands, he then slipped the green stone pendant onto the chain.

Gazing at them as they sat in his huge palm, he said, “the two pendants go very well together.”

He looked at Evelyn, whose eyes were still wide with astonishment. She, too, was gazing at the necklace, and by her delighted smile, Benedict knew he had made a good choice.

“Everyone deserves a present, Evelyn. I am pleased that I am the first person tae gift one tae ye.”

“I dinnae ken what tae say,” she said breathlessly.

“Ye dinnae have tae say anything.”

Benedict could feel the familiar twisting in his gut, that growing desire he battled with every time he was near her. She gazed up at him with that same desire, and once more, sparks crackled between them.

“May I?” he asked again.

Wordlessly, Evelyn nodded. Her wide eyes watched him as he stepped close. She pulled her long hair from the back of her neck, while Benedict tied the necklace around her throat once more. His fingers grazed over the soft skin, and he felt Evelyn shiver.

The necklace was now attached, but Benedict did not move his hand. Instead, he held her gently, while at the same time, gazing down at her, his heart thumping with excitement, his thoughts wild with what he wanted to do with this woman.

He had promised himself he would stay away, but like a siren, her call reeled him in. It was a silent call, of course, but his heart heard it loud and clear. The moment crackled with tension as she gazed up at him, and he gazed down at her. And then, he seemed to have no control over his actions, for his mouth lowered to hers, and he kissed her with as much desire as he had had that night in the library. Her soft lips beneath his only fed his want of her, and slipping his tongue inside her mouth, he roved about, tasting her sweetness.