Page 19 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

“I was talking tae her, Eloise,” he hissed, taking a step up so he was above her head once more.

“And what was she doing? Touching yer arm repeatedly?”

His lips parted and closed in shock, as if he had not noticed at all.

“She was hardly pawing at ye as if she didnae want yer attention, was she? Take care, Murdoch,” Eloise warned as she turned and strode up the stairs. “Ye run the risk of halting our deception scarcely before it has begun.”

He hurried up the stairs behind her. They trailed the dark corridors in silence, with not a word shared between them, occasionally passing through the shadows and lit sections where burning torches had been fastened to the castle walls. When they halted at his bedchamber, he led the way inside.

Eloise couldn’t bear to look at Murdoch at that moment, fearing his liking for that maid could be about to ruin their act. She turned her focus to her bag instead and pulled out a nightgown that she laid on the bed, determined to sleep.

Moving to a small garderobe off the side of the chamber, she washed and splashed her face, trying to cool herself after she’d suffered much heat that night. She’d wished to blame the strong fires in that great hall, yet she feared there was something else afoot. Her hands had been particularly clammy whenever Murdoch had had to fake some affection toward her.

When she returned to the chamber, she found a figure on the bed. Halting, she jumped back, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. In the few rushlights they had spread around the room, the light was dim and flickering, barely enough to see the figure’s face. Stepping forward, she peered at Murdoch’s long form, seeing his eyes were closed. He was still fully clothed as he’d stretched out on the bed, and his snoring slowly filled the air. It was so loud that she squirmed at the sound of it.

She glanced to the other side of the bed, but there was no chance she was going to get in there now, even with him lying on top. Snatching the night gown away, she didn’t bother to change into it, but slung it back toward her saddle bag and crossed the room. Shifting the chairs around the table, she stuffed two with loose cushions and laid out on top of them, blowing out the rushlight beside her and casting the room into darkness.

As her eyes closed, Murdoch’s snores continued to fill the air.

How can I spend the next couple of weeks in this state?

“Ye cannae sleep again like that tonight,” Murdoch said as he laid a hand to Eloise’s back and followed her into the dining room where food had been set out for breakfast. He sent a hurried glance across the room, seeing his father sitting at the head of the table. Beside him was Clyde, and the two of them were laughing together about something. Harper was there, listening attentively to Clyde’s story, as behind her, her maid offered forward a printed pamphlet for her to read.

Beatrice’s dark eyes shot to Murdoch, and he hurried to glance away. That look had clearly been seen by Eloise, who purposefully reached back toward him, those urgent fingers resting on his bicep again.

“Remember what I said last night about this illusion. If ye wish it tae be believed, then ye cannae go tae her bed.”

“I had nay intention too.”

Eloise’s narrowed gaze silenced him. He could hardly explain at this moment that he’d been once to Beatrice’s bed already, but that was many years ago, long before he’d even been betrothed to Lillie and had stepped back from women altogether. Clearly, after the conversation he’d had with Beatrice the night before, she had no intention of forgetting it, even if he wished to.

“Eloise, ye willnae sleep on a chair again.” He returned to his earlier conversation as they moved to the table.

“I wasnae going tae share yer bed.”

“Ye will have tae.”

“I beg yer pardon?”

“Tae sleep!” he hissed under his breath and turned to the table. Now they had reached their seats, they couldn’t afford to talk anymore. He forced a smile for his father’s and brother’s sake and sat down, reaching for the coffee pot in the middle of the table.

“Here they are,” Fergus said with some delight then pretended to whisper to Clyde. “I’d ask them why it took so long for them tae rouse from their chamber, but I fear hearing the answer.” He and Clyde guffawed with laughter as Murdoch looked at Eloise with triumph in his eyes. She looked away, chewing her lip, as he considered that completing this performance would be much easier if his father just kept leaping to such conclusions.

“Father, ye’re making them uncomfortable,” Clyde said between fits of laughter. “Our father has been wondering this morning if ye two have set a date yet.”

“A date?” Eloise spluttered beside Murdoch. Under the table, Murdoch laid a hand on her leg, trying to calm her. She stilled very suddenly in her seat beside him, and he realized just how high up he’d unintentionally touched her thigh. He retrieved his hand quickly, trying not to think of what that touch had done to him.

“Nae, we havenae,” Murdoch said simply. “But we are here fer yer wedding, are we nae?” he asked, gesturing between Clyde and Harper.

The two of them smiled at once. Harper was a quiet soul indeed, but as Clyde offered his hand to her on the table, she placed it hurriedly in his, without hesitation. Murdoch found himself comforted at that touch.

The relationship between him and Lillie had been a warm one, even if they hadn’t yet reached love. It was some strange comfort to him now that Lillie’s sister, Harper, might be able to love Clyde.

Aye, maybe those two can have the happiness which we were nae so fortunate enough tae have.

“That we are,” Clyde said, looking at his betrothed with a softness in his eyes.

The maid behind Harper offered Murdoch another sweet smile before she retreated from the room. He felt Eloise’s hand take hold of his thigh, in clear warning not to return that look. Just as he had touched her too high on her leg, she returned the favor and gripped so close to his hip that he started. Struggling to stay calm under the table, he felt his length twitch, all too aware of how close that touch was.