Page 21 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

Tadhg stepped out into the open. “Criminal? ’Tis a step up from bein’ a devil, I suppose. I thought ye might still be mad with me, so I didnae want tae disturb ye,” he explained, coming forward and falling in next to her as she continued walking.

“Why are ye followin’ me?” she asked, looking straight ahead.

“Tae keep ye safe, what else? This place is full of strangers. I dinnae trust a single one of them. And I dinnae like ye walkin’ around on yer own like this.”

“So, I nae only have tae share a chamber with ye, I also have tae have ye following me about everywhere as well?” she asked, lacing the question with the frustration she felt at his overbearing manner. Yet at the same time, the way he cared for her safety touched her on some deep level and warmed the fragments of her broken heart.

“It’ll nae be that bad. Nae fer ye anyway; ye have the bed,” he observed. He looked around at the high hedges and deserted avenue then back at her. “I can see why ye came here. Ye wanted some peace and quiet.”

“Aye,” she freely admitted. “’Tis all so strange, I needed tae be alone fer a while tae think.”

“Hey, when I was scouting about earlier today, I came across a part of the gardens I ken ye’ll love, especially at night. ’Tis more than peaceful there. Would ye like tae go there?” he asked. “I guarantee it’ll help ye forget yer worries, fer a while at least.”

Alana hesitated for a few moments, but he looked earnest, and she was curious about the place he so clearly wanted to show her. Maybe he was right and it would help her order her thoughts. “All right, I’ll come with ye, if ye like.”

“Come on, ’tis this way,” he said, leading her along the avenue, then round to the left, and finally, into a secluded rose garden. Alana followed him along the grass pathways, feeling refreshed by the sweet scents wafting from the various velvety blooms.

Eventually, they came to a wicker arbor covered with masses of small pink roses. The perfume was heady, and beneath the arbor’s shelter stood a stone bench large enough for two people to lie down comfortably side by side upon it, together.

“I reckon this must be a grand spot fer lookin’ at the stars,” he told her. “’Tis special. Look, lie down here,” he gestured with his hand towards the bench, “next tae me—there’s plenty of room—and ye’ll see what I mean.”

Alana was unsure whether she should lie down next to him, but no one else was around, the place was enchanting, and she wanted to see the stars. At least, that was what she told herself when she allowed Tadhg to usher her onto the bench.

“Now lie down, like this.” He got on beside her and stretched out, putting his hands behind his head and crossing his ankles. She lay down, glad he was keeping his distance.

“Now, we look at the heavens,” he said. They both looked up.

“’Tis truly breathtaking,” Alana gasped, instantly entranced by the celestial beauty spread out above them. She laid her hands flat upon the stone and gazed at the moon and stars, her thoughts slowing down as she lost herself in the expanse.

“We havenae had a chance tae talk about things since the meetin’,” he murmured, breaking the contemplative silence. “Ye were angry afterwards, I could see it. Was it because of yer faither?”

“Ye already ken how I feel about him,” she eventually answered. “That is, if he even is me faither. He disnae seem tae have acted like a decent one towards me or treated Maither well. How hard did he look fer us, I wonder? And hearing Blaine making excuses fer him at the meetin’, well, that just made me feel worse.

“And on top of that, I feel guilty fer blamin’ me own faither when I dinnae ken what to believe. And I can hardly go and have it out with him because he’s managed to go and get himself kidnapped.”

When she finished speaking, she was surprised at how much had come pouring out. It occurred to her that she and Tadhg had not looked at each other the whole time, only up to the heavens. Somehow, it was liberating, and she felt she could speak her actual thoughts to Tadhg instead of merely getting angry with him for being… him.

“’Tis a very difficult situation, and none of yer makin’, Alana. Nay wonder ye’re feelin’ confused,” Tadhg said softly after a while. “Anybody would be.”

Alana, silently appreciating his reassuring words, suddenly stiffened. His large warm fingers had enclosed hers and were holding them, squeezing them gently. Tingles ran up her arm, the same kind of tingles he used to give her before he left her broken-hearted. It felt good. Dangerously good.

She realized that all she had to do was to squeeze his fingers to put things back as they used to be. By sheer force of will she prevented herself from doing it, though there was a part of her that wanted nothing more. Alarmed by its strength, she moved her hand away and sat up.

“I think ’tis time I went in. Dinner will be soon be ready, and Blaine’s expectin’ us,” she said, smoothing her skirts and avoiding Tadhg’s eyes, feeling flustered and hot all over.

“What? There’s plenty of time,” he protested, sitting up and trying to get her to look at him, but she would not. “What is it, Alana? D’ye nae like the place? We can go somewhere else if ye want. Dinnae talk if ye dinnae want tae. And I’ll just listen if ye dae.”

His earnestness touched a nerve, and she felt a little bad for reacting the way she had. He accused me of being cruel.Am I being cruel tae him?

“I love the place. ’Tis beautiful. Thank ye fer showin’ it tae me. I dae feel better

now, but I still think we should go inside.” She shivered and hugged herself. “’Tis gettin’ chilly out here.”

“Ye’re cold? Here,” he said, going to take off his coat.

“Nay, thank ye, I’m all right. I just need tae go indoors.” She feared that to wear his coat, warm from his body and steeped in his scent, would be too much and that her defenses would crumble.

“Very well,” he said, sounding resigned. They began retracing their steps. “We’ll go together. Because dinnae forget that at dinner tonight, and everywhere else around here, we need tae be seen as man and wife. We cannae let them suspect otherwise, so ye have tae play yer part, all right.”

“How can I forget?” she replied, sad to have to return to reality. As they eventually stepped into the keep, she could not help heeding his words. “Aye, I’ll keep up the pretense,” she told him. “I’ve nay wish tae be used as a piece in anyone’s games, nay matter who they are.”

But even as she spoke so decisively, she felt a sense of foreboding settling over her, and she realized she was dreading the forthcoming dinner.