Page 42 of Seduction in a Kilt

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Liam strolled into the hall and pretended he was not looking for Ivy. The whole place was vibrating with music and laughter and the stomping of dancing feet. It was the sound of excitement, of humanity casting its cares to the wind and simply enjoying itself.

It was clear to him from the smiles on peoples’ faces that despite the threat hanging over Clan Stewart, the clansfolk had warmly greeted the cèilidh as a welcome chance to let down their hair and squeeze a little joy from an otherwise grim situation.

The mood was infectious, and after he snagged a mug of ale from a passing server’s tray and supped a little, he soon found himself smiling and tapping his foot, surveying the exuberant, half-inebriated throng before him.

But his eyes still sought the one thing on his mind… Ivy.

“Liam! Liam, over here!”

He heard his name being called above the din and looked for the source. It was Magnus, and he appeared to be standing on a chair, waving at him and beckoning him over. Liam grinned and made his way over to him.

“The party’s started without ye. Where have ye been?” Magnus asked him, slapping him on the back good-naturedly, clearly already well into his cups.

“Makin’ mesel’ look pretty fer the lassies,” Liam said laughingly. The more he had gotten to know Knox’s usually serious right-hand man, the more he liked him.

“Well, ye’ve done a very good job, I must say.” Effie said teasingly as she came up to greet him too and hung on her husband’s arm. “I see quite a few lassies lookin’ in yer direction already, Liam. ’Tis a nice change fer them tae have such a braw feller tae set their caps at,” she teased, glancing provocatively at Magnus.

“Hey, watch yer tongue, wife, or I’ll be gettin’ jealous,” Magnus pretended to complain, squeezing her waist.

She tickled his chin and giggled. “I meant the single lassies, Magnus. I’m already taken, of course, me darlin’,” she told him placatingly.

“What are ye drinkin’?” Magnus asked Liam, gesturing at the nearby table that was loaded with jugs of wine and ale as well as small casks of whisky that had been tapped to release the contents.

“Looks like I’ve got a bit of catchin’ up tae dae,” Liam said, considering the choices on offer. “I think I’ll top up me ale and have whisky chaser tae help it down.”

“Comin’ right up!” Magnus said, going somewhat unsteadily to fetch the drinks.

“’Tis a grand cèilidh, eh, Liam? The laird’s done his folk proud as always, even though ye didnae bring home the stag today,” Effie said, smiling up at him.

“Aye, that was a shame,” he replied, instantly thinking of Ivy again and the wonderful secret they now shared. “But one thing I’ve learned about Knox is that he likes tae have a good time, and he kens how tae throw a good gathering.”

“So, I take it that ye like bein’ here at Castle Stewart.”

“Aye, I like it fine. I just wish I was here fer a different reason,” he admitted. “I hope ye’ll be able tae relax and forget yer cares fer a few hours,” Effie told

him kindly. “That’s what Ivy says she’s gonnae try tae dae this evenin’.”

Liam’s ear pricked up and he looked at her keenly. “So, she’s here, is she?”

“Aye, of course. She’s out on the floor with the laird. If ye’re quick, ye might

just catch a glimpse of them.” She smiled as she gestured with her eyes in that direction.

Liam looked, and amid the whirling pairs of dancers, he suddenly caught sight of her. His heart skipped a beat, and his breath caught in his throat. She was whirling around the floor with Knox and the other couples, skipping from partner to partner, her face pink and animated. She appeared happier and more carefree than he had ever seen her. And radiantly beautiful too.

Her lithe body was laced tightly into a crimson dress with a billowing skirt and a low-cut neckline that showed off her pert, plump breasts. As she spun and twirled in time to the music, her long tresses flew out around her head like a halo. He had the impression she would take to the air at any moment.

Much as he loved Knox, he felt a stab of jealousy that he should be dancing with Ivy instead of him. But he had already decided he could not risk dancing with her. After the day they had shared, he could not trust himself to behave circumspectly. Magnus soon came back with two fresh mugs of ale and two whiskies, one for Liam, one for himself.

Liam had to tear his eyes away from Ivy and pay attention to his friend. “Thank ye, Magnus, they’ll slide down easy,” he said, finishing his current beer and discarding the mug before accepting the fresh drinks gratefully. He threw down the dram in one swallow, then took a good long draught of the ale. “Ah! That’s damned good,” he murmured, wiping the foam from his lips with the back of this hand, his eyes straying back to Ivy.

“She’s a bonny lassie, eh?” Effie’s soft voice broke into his reverie.

“Hmm? What?” he muttered, realizing he had been holding his breath. He breathed out slowly.

“Ivy, she looks bonny,” Effie repeated.