Page 81 of Under the Laird’s Promise

"I care about giving the Council nay reason tae question our match." He offered his hand, palm up. "So. Will ye dance with me, lass?"

She placed her hand in his, her touch sending sparks racing up his arm. "Aye. I suppose I must."

He led her to the center of the room, positioning them among the other couples. The music swelled, and Tavish placed his hand at her waist, keeping the contact proper. His other hand held hers, raised to shoulder height.

They began to move.

The dance was one he'd learned as a lad, simple steps that required little thought. Which was fortunate, because most of his thoughts were occupied with how close Maighread stood. How her waist felt beneath his palm, warm and firm. How her grey eyes watched him with that same secretive knowledge.

"Ye've been staring at me all evening," she murmured as they turned.

"Have I?"

"Ye ken ye have."

"Can ye blame me? After what happened in me chambers?"

Her cheeks flushed, but her smile remained. "I thought we agreed tae be proper."

"We are being proper. I'm keeping me hand exactly where it should be." He pulled her slightly closer as the dance required, their bodies nearly touching. "Though I'll admit, it's taking considerable effort."

"Is it now?"

"Aye. Because all I can think about is how ye looked when ye asked me what would happen if ye begged."

Her breath hitched. "Tavish."

"What would ye have done if I'd said yes?" He leaned in, his lips near her ear. "If I'd told ye tae get on yer knees and ask me properly?"

"Ye wouldn't have."

"Nay. But only because I have some shred of honor left." The dance turned them again, and he used the movement to press her closer. "Though that shred grows thinner every time ye look at me the way ye are right now."

"And how am I looking at ye?"

"As though ye're imagining what it would be like if we weren't in a room full of people."

She laughed softly, the sound going straight through him. "Maybe I am."

"Then we're both doomed, lass. Because I've been imagining that since the moment ye walked intae the hall taenight."

They moved through the steps in silence for a moment, the music swelling around them. Other couples danced nearby, oblivious to the tension crackling between him and Maighread.

"This isnae helping," she said finally.

"What isnae?"

"Dancing with ye. Being this close. It's making waiting harder."

"I ken." His hand flexed on her waist.

The music began to wind down, the final notes drifting through the hall. Tavish reluctantly stepped back, releasing her waist but keeping hold of her hand for a moment longer than necessary.

"Thank ye fer the dance," he said, loud enough for those nearby to hear.

"The pleasure was mine." Her eyes held his, conveying far more than her polite words suggested.

He bowed slightly, then stepped away, leaving her standing in the center of the room. It took every ounce of control he possessed not to look back.