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Chapter Six
Angus remained in the Hall for a few minutes after Charlotte had left. His mind was whirling, not just from the wine but also from what had just happened. He thought that it might have been a dream, but he kept reminding himself that no, Charlotte Andrews just kissed him and kissed him like he had never been kissed before.
Angus was not one to be as flirtatious and promiscuous as some of the other men in his clan, but he was no saint. He had had his fair share of kissing and love-making, and now, after kissing a Sassenach for the first time, he realized that he hadn’t wanted it to end. He had felt a rush of disappointment when she’d pulled away. If the kissing was as good as that, he wanted to see what it would be like if more happened.
He couldn’t help but grin to himself as he sat by the fire. He had never been more shocked in his life. Calum and Julia would practically burst if they ever found out that their little plan had worked even better than expected. Which is why they could never be told. They would have to go on their way to London without ever knowing what had happened. It would give them too much satisfaction, and then they would set to making a permanent arrangement.
He realized nothing could ever happen. He felt a little grim at the thought, but it was true. He could not marry a woman of that caliber. It just wasn’t to be his lot in life. He was sure she was after someone rich and titled, and English, of course. And he didn’t want to marry. He wanted to live life in peace and do as he pleased. His parents had died long ago, and it had just been he and his brother, for a very long time, running the clan; he was used to following his own path.
He knew that there were many joys of married life as he had seen in his parents and his brother, but he had never met any woman who had spurred him to desire those things for himself. He preferred to live in his own way, especially if the women that surrounded him on the Isle of Mull were as frustrating as Charlotte Andrews. If she were his wife, then he would certainly go mad.
And they couldn’t simply make love, and then she leave for the barracks, even though his body was crying out for it to be so. Julia and Calum would kill him if he used her ill in such a way. But, he reminded himself that the little minx had kissed him first. He would never have done so, even if he’d wished it.
And only when her lips touched his did he realize that he had wished it, and her kissing him had opened up a wave of desire that practically crashed over him. During the kiss, his cock had begun to harden, and he was afraid she might feel it. But she had pulled away just in time and hadn’t seemed to notice. Besides, she was most likely not an experienced woman, coming from the background she did, although the kiss said otherwise. It was like a well-practiced act, and they just fell into it; no hesitation, fear, or awkwardness.
Their mouths had fit together perfectly, and Angus knew he wanted to do it again. And again. She was perfect, just as he’d said. He was surprised that he had revealed so much to the lass when he had tried so hard not to give her the satisfaction of knowing that he found her desirable.
“But, it cannae be,” he said to the flames.
He resolved that tomorrow, once both of their heads were cleared of the wine and tension, they would go back to normal. They would have to. There was no other way to be. Nothing else made sense. It would be fine. Liam would accompany her around the island, and they could eat separately most of the time. He would be busy – away on hunting and trading expeditions, and other clan business. He had no time for this.
He nodded to reassure himself that this was the best decision. But why did he feel a little disappointment creeping in? Maybe another bottle of wine wouldn’t hurt.
* * *
Charlotte stood with her back against her bedroom door. She called the maid in to help her out of her corset so that she could sleep. She was exhausted. But she wanted a little bit more time before she went to bed to think about what happened. A smile crossed her lips as she sat, waiting for the maid to arrive. She looked in the mirror at her reflection. She was practically glowing.
She felt her lips with her fingertips. It had been the best kiss she’d ever experienced. And while she wanted to regret it with everything in her, she couldn’t. She wouldn’t. Who would regret a kiss like that? It felt so good to just throw caution to the wind and throw herself into the man’s arms, a man who was more beautiful than anyone else she had ever seen. And the most wonderful thing was, he had wanted it just as much as she did. She could feel it in the way his tongue prodded hers and the way his arms wrapped around her tightly as if he never wanted to let her go. Julia was right. Angus was attracted to her.
The maid, Rose, entered. “Hello, Miss.”
Charlotte stood up, the smile still on her face, and Rose began to undress her. “Pleasant evening, Miss?”
Charlotte nodded. “Yes, it was nice. The food was excellent, thank you. What time will the laird and lady be leaving in the morning? Are they abed already?”
The maid nodded. “Aye, they’ve been abed for a while now. They will leave afore the sun comes up tae make good time.”
Charlotte nodded. What would Julia think if she knew what had just happened? She would be so excited and would wish to discuss wedding plans with her. Perhaps it was for the best that she was leaving because Charlotte wouldn’t feel compelled to tell her. And the secret would be safe between the two of them. That was good, for now.
The maid loosened her corset and removed it, leaving her only in her white shift. She also untied the ribbon from around her neck and took out the pins from her curls. As her hair fell to her shoulders, the maid said, “Yer gown was lovely taenight, Miss. ‘Twas too bad ye couldnae wear it tae a ball in London.”
Charlotte smiled at her own reflection. “‘Twas no matter. I had a lovely time in it, after all.”
The maid soon left, oblivious to Charlotte’s meaning, and Charlotte was left to brush her hair. She preferred to do it herself. Finally, she was alone with her own thoughts. And what a flurry of thoughts they were. She had kissed Angus MacLean, and no one else knew about it. She had done something that she had never expected but had secretly desired, and it felt so freeing and deliciously wicked.
But a sort of solemnness came over her as she brushed through her curls. She wasn’t sure what tomorrow would be like, but she was certain they would both try to go back to normal. They had to. She entertained no ideas about marrying a Highlander man, and she knew her father would never give his permission. Even though he allowed her this time of sweet freedom, there was no point in hiding from that fact. She would have to follow his instructions on who to marry. But she had no plans of marrying for some time, and certainly not to Angus MacLean.
So he was a good kisser. What did that matter? Would she give up her life plans to be with him? Not a chance. Besides last night, every other time they were together, they were always arguing. It wasn’t as if everything was rosy when they spent time in each other’s company. This had been just a little surprise in their relationship, an odd circumstance that certainly could never happen again.
She would have to treat him with coldness from now on, especially if he got it into his head that that sort of thing would be happening over and over again. She had had that experience in London before. Give a man a little bit of attention, and then he begins to follow you around like a puppy, especially if he’s seeking a wife. She couldn’t imagine him doing that, but still, she would have to be careful.
She hoped that she would not have to explain to him that they could never do more than that. But she had a feeling that he would be returning to his old self tomorrow as well, which would be a relief. She sighed and slipped into her bed, relishing the soft silk of her sheets. Tomorrow would be busy anyway. There would be no time to think about kisses, or beautiful lips, or strong jaws, or the way that Angus’ hands had felt moving around her, nearing her backside.
She shook her head. No, it was time to sleep, time to put everything out of her mind.
You’re sensible, Charlotte. Men are plentiful, and you do not have to give your heart away to the first man who makes you feel like that. Or the only man.
She growled at herself as she remembered the tingle of heat between them, placed a pillow over her head, and tried to fall asleep.
