Page 40 of Seduction in a Kilt

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Liam’s emotions were in turmoil by the time they got back to the horses. He tried his best to seem normal on the surface, but he knew that a profound change was happening in him, and he dreaded it.

That moment of intensity when he had helped Ivy from the pit and put his hands upon her to set her to rights, when they had looked into each other’s eyes, was still resonating within him like an alarm bell. In that hairsbreadth of time, his heart had thudded loudly in his chest, and he had had the feeling that their souls had met and touched in a moment of perfect amity.

Everything about her lit up his life and warmed his very soul. Her bright, generous spirit, her sharp mind, her determination, her courage all thrilled him. She was a good fighter too. Not to mention that all those came wrapped in a package so delicious, his body hungered for her.

There she stood, smiling wearily at him, her cheeks flushed pink, mud on her face and on the wet clothes that were clinging to every curve of her body, her long dark locks tumbling from her cap in rats tails.

He was a civilized man, but it took a mighty fight to keep his self-control and stop himself from grabbing her and kissing her then and there. Oh, there was so much he would like to do to her! Such thoughts had frequently troubled his nights, and he’d had to pleasure himself to relieve the pent-up tension more than once.

As all these thoughts raced through his head at the same time, every nerve ending in him was yearning towards her. What’s more, the way she was looking at him, her eyes dark and wide fixed on his, her soft pink mouth slightly open made him certain she wanted him to kiss her!

But somehow, at the last moment, he caught himself and moved away from her.

Remember yer vow tae yersel’. Lovin’ someone means loosin’ them. Dinnae be the cause of yer own broken heart. Besides, she’s nae yers tae have. She’ll be handed over soon, and she’ll be out of yer life. Just hold on ‘til then.

Nevertheless, as they mounted up and slowly followed the trail back through the forest, he was conscious that the shared secret of helping the stag escape had forged a special bond between them. Ivy had proved herself his equal in every way, and he admired her greatly.

Eventually, they crossed paths with the laird and Magnus and their retinue. To the last man, they wore glum, weary expressions. Even the hounds were quiet. Horns could be heard blowing in the trees while the other hunters found their way to the laird as well.

Liam was glad but unsurprised when no questions were asked of them. It was accepted that the stag had slipped through the net somehow and that if he and Ivy had seen it, they would have sounded the alert. They flicked covert glances at each other as the failure of the hunt was minutely dissected around them. He saw her lips turning up at the corners and found himself winking at her as the disappointed hunting party set off for home.

Ivy leaned over from her saddle and, with a glint of mischief in her eyes, whispered to Liam, “They’re nae so happy now as when we set out his mornin’.”

He chuckled. “Aye. It feels strange tae say, but even though Knox is me good friend, I’m glad. At least we saved one stag even if we cannae save all of them,” he whispered back.

The gloom of failure hovered over the rest of the riders like the lingering mist. However, as soon as they clattered into the castle courtyard, the laird stood up in his stirrups and announced in a loud, jovial voice, “We may have nae had any luck with the hunt today, but there’s nae need tae dwell upon it, because we’ve got a jolly wee cèilidh tae attend tonight, eh? So, let’s see nay more gloomy faces around here. Go and do whatever it is ye need tae dae tae make yersel’s presentable, so we can get the party started!”

Liam exchanged an amused glance with Ivy as they dismounted and handed their horses over to the grooms.

In the vestibule of the keep, an army of servants were on hand to attend to the returning hunters’ needs. Everybody wanted a hot bath it seemed, to soothe away the aches of being in the saddle for hours in the cold and damp.

“Will ye order up some hot water fer a bath, please, Liam?” Ivy asked him as she pulled off her wet gloves.

“Aye, we could share the water, like last time if ye like,” he suddenly found himself saying, instantly regretting it. Why did ye say that, ye fool?

Her cheeks flushed, and there was moment of hesitation before she finally smiled and said, “Nae this time. I need me privacy tae get ready for the cèilidh, as I’m sure ye dae too.”

He hid his annoyance at himself with a shrug and ordered the water, enough for two baths, to be brought up to their respective chambers as soon as it was ready.

“Are ye lookin’ forward tae the cèilidh?” he asked her as they mounted the stairs together.

“Aye, I am. I love music, and I’m especially lookin’ forward tae havin’ the chance fer a wee dance. I’m hopin’ it might take me mind off me worries fer a while,” she said, pulling the wet cap from her head and letting her hair tumble down. Liam secretly found the gesture captivating and fought down the urge to run his hands through the shining, dark mass.

“Ye dinnae sound very excited about it,” he pointed out, noting the trace of sadness in her voice.

She gave a small, slightly bitter laugh. “In me position, I’ve found ’tis better nae tae let mesel’ get too excited about anythin’. That way, I cannae be disappointed. Fer all I ken, this could be me last night here at Castle Stewart. Still, I’m sure the cèilidh will be a lot of fun. If I can remember correctly what that is.”

Liam did not need to be reminded that she might be sent back to her brother at any time. It was too painful to contemplate, so he opted for a more lighthearted response. “I believe ’tis a bit like ridin’ a horse: once ye ken how tae dae it, ye never forget,” he told her jokingly.

She laughed. “Aye, maybe. We’ll soon find out. Are ye excited yersel’?” she asked as they reached the landing and headed down the hallway to their adjoining chambers.

“Aye. ’Tis always good tae celebrate with friends.”

“Will ye dance?”

He wanted to say, “Aye, all night, with ye.” But he actually said, “Possibly. After a few ales and a couple of drams, ye may well see me out on the floor.”