Page 63 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

"Ye're starin' again," he said without looking at her.

"I am not."

"Ye are. It's alright. I dinnae mind." She could hear the smile in his voice. "Stare all ye want, lass. Fair's fair, considerin' how much time I spend starin' at ye."

The casual admission made her trip over her own feet. David caught her easily, his free hand steadying her waist.

"Careful."

"You can't just—" She gestured helplessly. "You can't just say things like that."

"Why nae? It's true." He released her waist but kept hold of her hand. "Dae ye want me tae lie?"

"No, but—" She struggled to articulate what she meant. "There are rules. We agreed."

"We did. Nay touchin' in private. Nay kissin' either." His eyes found hers. "But we're nae in private right now. And I'm nae touchin' ye anywhere inappropriate. Just holdin' yer hand."

"That feels like a technicality."

"That's because it is a technicality." His smile turned wicked. "I'm very good at findin' loopholes, lass. Comes with bein' a laird. Ye learn tae work within restrictions."

Despite herself, Elinor laughed. "You're impossible."

"Ye keep sayin' that like ye mean it as an insult."

"I do mean it as an insult."

"But ye're smilin' when ye say it. So I'm choosin' tae take it as a compliment."

They'd reached the stables. Her heart sank.

"David, I really don't have time for a ride. The Cèilidh⁠—"

"––starts at sunset. It's barely past noon." He led her toward the larger of two horses, a grey stallion she recognized as his favorite. "Ye have plenty of time. And ye need a break afore taenight."

"I don't need a break. I need to make sure everything is ok."

"Elinor." He turned to face her fully, and the gentleness in his expression stopped her protests. "When was the last time ye did somethin' just because ye wanted tae? Nae because it was required or expected or necessary, but just because it brought ye joy?"

The question hit harder than it should have. Elinor tried to think back—to her time in her father's house, to the endless days of duty and fear and walking on eggshells. When had she last done anything for the simple pleasure of it?

She couldn't remember.

"That's what I thought." David's hand squeezed hers gently. "So ye're comin' with me. Nae because ye have tae. Nae because it's required. But because I'm askin'. And because maybe, just maybe, ye want tae."

Elinor looked at the horse, then at David, then at their joined hands. She thought about the Cèilidh preparations, all finalized and perfect. About the hours stretching before her with nothing to do but worry and second-guess.

About David standing there, putting his shirt back on, earnest, asking her to trust him.

"Where are we going?" she asked quietly.

His smile could have lit the entire castle. "Somewhere ye'll love. I promise."

"And we'll be back in time for me to get ready?"

"Aye. Plenty of time." He moved to the horse's side, then looked back at her expectantly. "Well? Are ye comin'?"

Elinor took a breath. Made a decision that felt both terrifying and exhilarating.