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Elizabeth smiled, liking the idea tremendously. She was glad that she hadn’t thought of it because it felt deliciously wicked. Since it was Charlotte’s brainchild, she wouldn’t have to feel any guilt about it. “I only felt the discomfort of embarrassment, surprised at my own violent reaction. I suppose it was the wine that made me feel bolder. I had never consumed so much before.”
Charlotte slowed her horse with a click of her tongue. “I am so glad that you did. You were here to celebrate my good fortune, and,” Charlotte lowered her voice, now that Liam was approaching. “I hope that you take this time while you visit us to do whatever it is you wish to do. Do not think that we have rules and regulations you must abide by. Drink whatever and how much you please. Sleep until noon! Perhaps even kiss another man who is not so wild in his manners?”
Elizabeth gasped a little. Charlotte continued with her mischievous grin. “I can think of the perfect man, and it would be a wonderful way to make Liam seethe with jealousy. He deserves such discomfort, after all.
Elizabeth knew just who charlotte was suggesting she kiss, and she saw his pair of stark blue eyes in her mind, with his boyish curls atop his head, near to becoming unruly. She was about to reply, but Liam was helping Charlotte down. Elizabeth was excited at the prospect of the next few days or however long her trip would be, and she was grateful as Liam helped her down from her own horse.
She could spend at least most of her time busy with Charlotte so that her mind could not focus on her looming engagement to some man whom she had not yet met with so that she could fulfill her mother’s strange yet dearest wish.
* * *
After a few minutes of Fergus’s laughter, Liam shoved him with whatever strength his overindulgence had not momentarily stolen from him. Unphased, Fergus stalked away laughing. Liam was not in the mood. Now since he had been distracted by two people, he could feel the prospect of sleep getting farther and farther away from him. He knew that there would be some work today. Fergus was heading back to the castle to begin to prepare for the trip over the Sound but had said nothing about Liam joining him. He had been too busy deriding his old friend for his foolishness.
Liam revealed nothing to Fergus about Elizabeth. He didn’t even answer his friend’s question as to which women were upset with him. He didn’t want the whole world to know about his own stupidity. He still had to figure out the apologetic speech that a proper English lady would deem acceptable as an apology. If it was one of the giggling girls on the Isle, they would never have shoved him away, but if they had, they would have slapped him, and then that would have been the end of it. They would have laughed it away, and so would he.
He was in the stables and found his horse, Uaill. He laid his head against her smooth coat, breathing in her comforting scent of hay and oats. His father had given him the horse years before. She had led him faithfully on the journey to battle the English three years ago, and once his father died, Liam had never wanted to get rid of her. She was getting old, but Liam held onto her dearly, even when other younger horses were available. With his horse, he felt safe, and even the pounding in his head seemed to dim a little in her comforting presence.
“Liam.” The deep, familiar voice entered the safe sphere of the stable. He grimaced.
“Yer looking well taeday, lad. I suppose yer wife has something tae do with that,” Liam said.
Angus laughed, crossing his arms across his chest. “And ye look as if ye have been beaten within an inch of yer life. I suppose a woman has something tae do with that too.”
Liam growled, and his headache returned. “I was hoping that rest in me own bed will bring me back tae life. Ye must have put something in the ale and wine last night. I have never woken up with so much pain before in me life.”
“All for the sake of celebration, lad. But nae, I didnae poison ye.” Angus smiled, and Liam knew what was coming. His friend was enjoying the sight of his pain and was happy to inflict more. “My dear new wife willnae stay in bed with me this morning.”
“Despite yer strong encouragement, nae less.” Liam smiled, hopeful that his slight could put a chink in Angus’ cheery mood, but he was not successful.
“Aye. So she will visit her patients. Follow her taeday. I am off across the water with Calum and Fergus. Calum plans tae go on a bit of a trip tae the other clans.”
Liam groaned, but it only increased Angus’ entertainment.
“Ye should appreciate that more, less of a long journey with the state yer in.”
Liam nodded, opening the door to Charlotte’s horse’s stall and beginning to saddle her up. The smell of weathered leather filled their nostrils.
“Ah, there is one more thing. Something ye might appreciate, seeing the way ye couldnae take her eyes of her last night.” Liam’s ears perked up, and his heart quieted, waiting for the next words to come.
“Lady Elizabeth will be coming too. Charlotte needs a bit of help.” Angus was leaning over the edge of the stall, grinning with triumph as Liam resumed saddling. He could never let his friends know what had happened. He wasn’t sure they would congratulate him for his blatant attempt at a “conquest.”
“Och, I see.”
“Maybe Charlotte can give ye something for yer head, Liam.” Angus knocked his fist against the side of the wood. “Also, try yer best tae be a gentleman tae the lass. She is nae so experienced as the women yer used tae.”
That is for damn sure.Liam thought sullenly. He must have hoped for a bit of a romp last evening, but he’d chosen the worst possible woman to try his advances on. She was a beautiful girl, but in his terms, she was off-limits.High-born women are always too finicky about things like that. The women of this area do not seem too unhappy with my attentions.
“Aye, aye,” he said, waving Angus away. He could not see it, but Angus smirked before leaving the stable, wondering what had already happened to sour his red-headed friend against the new lass.
A quarter of an hour later, Liam heard the women approach the stable, and he pulled their horses out, trying to keep his gaze averted. However, it was like trying not to look at a beautiful, all-encompassing view, and his eyes were automatically drawn to her. Even after a late evening, she was still blooming, and her blonde hair glinted becomingly in the sun. Inwardly, he cursed women’s beauty, for it entrapped men and made them fools, and he was no exception.
Their interaction was brief, and he was incredibly relieved when she did not immediately reveal his actions to Charlotte. She was short and terse, but that was better than his very public embarrassment before he could get her alone to apologize. They rode. He stayed far behind, for it was torturous to be in her presence. At the sight of her again, he could remember more of the previous evening, and flashes of images were coming into his mind.
He suddenly remembered the way her lips, pink and soft, had felt underneath his, and as they rode, he made sure to stay far away, knowing his body would betray him if he got any closer.Damn, Mrs. MacLean was right.He had been incredibly forward, and even though he regretted his choice to do so, he had been rewarded handsomely for his effort. Elizabeth Darling was the most beautiful woman he had ever kissed, and his foolish body tempted him with thoughts of it happening again or something even beyond that, but he knew they could never come true.
Lady Darling was not the type of woman he would normally bed. Women like Brea, giddy, and willing, were the kind of women that wanted him. Elizabeth Darling would never desire him in such a way. And yet, when they kissed, her breath was slow and soft. Her muscles had been limp underneath his grasp, and for a moment, however brief, she had kissed him back.
He tried to shake off the memory as he helped Elizabeth down from her horse. To his surprise, she was smiling. She did not seem to notice him, even though he felt warm and sweaty so close to her, and his body craved to touch her again. But she was smiling. That boded well for him, he thought.
Before they entered the small stone house, Charlotte turned to Liam and said, “Liam, did you know that John Campbell is very interested in seeing Lady Elizabeth again? I would not be surprised if he visited again today.” Liam stiffened.
