Page 29 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

Eloise peeked open an eye, enough that Murdoch could see her. On the top step, he practically stumbled, carrying her. She stiffened, fearing he would drop her. She subtly shook her head, and he winked, showing he understood.

He now kens it is fake.

“Nay, Callie,” he said as Eloise closed her eyes once more. “The healer here in this castle has already checked on her yesterday when she arrived. It was a long ride, it tired her out. I’d rather he saw her again.”

“Well...” Callie huffed but didn’t object again. “Perhaps it was the liquor? Or the heat in that room?”

“Maybe the surprise of being discovered?” Ian said with a snigger.

“Are ye still talking?” Aila’s attempts to shut him up appeared to fall on deaf ears.

“Enough, please,” Murdoch pleaded as they passed into the next corridor. As he shifted Eloise in his arms, that tickling feeling under her nose returned. She breathed in sharply, holding her breath as she tried to mask it. Murdoch strode so far ahead of the others now, that he could whisper to her. “Eloise? What’s wrong?”

“I… I…” She breathed in sharply, tipping her head back a little. He clearly saw what was about to happen. As she sneezed, he tossed forward his head as if he was the one who had sneezed. Eloise clamped her lips together to stop herself from laughing.

“Pah!” Ian called. “Ye sneeze as a woman would Murdoch!”

Eloise peeked open an eye to see Murdoch winking at her.

Thank God! He is a much better player than I first gave him credit fer.

When they entered their chamber, the fire was already raging, casting strong amber light across the room. Murdoch crossed straight to the bed and laid her down on top of it, releasing her slowly.

Eloise grew all too aware of the way his fingers brushed her. The hand that left her waist lingered a moment as he leaned over her, his eyes searching her face. She closed her eyes as the others ran into the room behind him.

“Please, let me look at her, Murdoch.” Callie pleaded. Her voice was close to the bed, but from the complaint she put up next, Eloise guessed that Murdoch had caught her arm before she could reach Eloise and urged her back again.

“Nay, I couldnae ask it of ye after yer long journey. Ye should all return tae the great hall and get some food. Ye havenae eaten yet, have ye?”

“Nay, but who can think of food when there is such entertainment tae be had here, eh?” Ian asked with humor. “Each time Avery looks at ye, ye look ready tae jump from the window tae save yer own life.”

“Well, ye can laugh at my expense tomorrow if ye so wish. Come, time tae leave. Eloise needs tae rest. Whether it’s tiredness or liquor, the bed will do her good, and the healer will come tae check on her.”

There was collective complaint, but Eloise could distinctly tell that all the voices were moving toward the door. All she felt was the brush of a hand against her own, a touch she presumed to be her brother’s, before they reached the doorway.

“One thing more, Murdoch,” Avery said, his voice deep.

“Aye?”

“Ye and I will talk tomorrow about how ye and me sister are sharing a chamber.”

“Aye, aye, ye can kill me for it then, just please, let her rest.”

The door closed loudly.

Eloise didn’t move. She waited, listening to the voices and the footsteps that hurried away down the corridor. When soon all she could hear was Murdoch’s heavy breathing, she sat up on the bed, her eyes shooting open.

“Good God, what a mess!” she declared loudly.

“Aye, ye could say that.” Murdoch stood against the door, his hands on his knees as he leaned forward and stared at the floorboards. The strong light of the fire danced across his features, making it seem as if it had been cast in bronze. “Avery…”

“Aye, he may well kill ye.”

“He may,” Murdoch grunted and stood straight. “What the hell are we going tae dae?” He crossed the room toward the bed, hurrying up the two levels to get nearer to her. “Yer brother made me promise nae tae hurt ye, and it is a vow I made. How can we possibly avoid this wedding now?”

His words made Eloise flinch on the bed.

It’s as if we cannae avoid it.