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“The details are nae very interestin’, I’m afraid,” he told her, taking a small sip of his blackberry wine. “I’m nae even certain where the rumors began. Several high-society widows started tellin’ their friends that I’d taken them to my bed, and that I was a gifted lover. For some reason, it made them enticin’ again, and many of them found new husbands nae long after. So, more ladies started tellin’ tales about me and them. Around the same time, my sisters and my maither were concerned that I had nay interest in women at all, so I allowed the rumors to spread as long as those ladies left me alone. Everyone benefitted, but there’s nae truth in them. I doubt I even said a word to the ladies who started such rumors, much less… well—”
Edwina smiled. “Aye, that is rather dull. I was expectin’ a mighty tale of romance and drama, nae ye sacrificin’ yer dignity for widows and sisters.” She paused, her expression suddenly worried. “Yedolike women, do ye nae?”
“I think ye already ken the answer to that after what occurred at dinner.” He met her gaze. “I particularly enjoy the ones that daenae have any notion of when to hold their tongue, say whatever they please, and have a shared hatred for Kenney Young.”
Her eyes widened, giving her a wolf-like appearance. “Now, daenae ye be learnin’ how to tease, or ye’ll have my head in a muddle. And daenae mention yer tongue, either.”
“Who says I’m teasin’?” He felt bold, all of a sudden, with an urge to give into the powerful longing that she sparked within him.
She took a deep gulp of her wine and swallowed. “We ought to be headin’ back, should we nae? Now that I ken ye’re nae a rogue, I can walk toward ye in the Kirk tomorrow with only a light scowl on my face.”
She tried to stand, but his hand shot out and grasped her by the wrist. “It’s too late for us to ride back to the Castle tonight,” he said thickly. “I wouldnae want to try our luck with those brigands again in the dark, and, despite what ye might think, I should still like our weddin’ to proceed. With both of us intact, if possible.”
“Then… what do ye suggest we do?” Her eyes flitted down to the hand that curled around her wrist, prompting Felix to loosen his grip. He traced his fingertips across her palm, and slipped his fingers between hers, interlacing them.
“I suggest we rest, Lass,” he said, his heart and mind racing.
She nodded slowly. “Will ye acquire two rooms?”
He did not know if it was a command or a question, as he beckoned for Fergus. The giant man marched his way through the thinning crowd with a glint in his eye, as if he had been waiting for the summons.
“What can I do for ye, M’Laird? Another jar of blackberry wine?”
Felix shook his head. “Do ye have spare rooms for us?”
“We’ve only the one, M’Laird,” the innkeeper replied, giving Felix a discreet nudge in the ribs, “but I willnae tell if ye willnae. It’s long past midnight, so it’s yer weddin’ day anyway. What harm can it do?”
“Have it prepared,” Felix urged, his blood rising.
He was not sure what had stirred that desire once more, or if it had just been there, simmering in the background, waiting for a moment to blaze again. Had it been hearing the words “dearest husband,” was it the ease with which she had put her faith back in him, or was it just the way she looked, like a goddess from a mythical tale? Perhaps, it was simpler. Perhaps, it was because he had come to prefer the silence with her than without her.
I daenae want to be alone,he realized, holding her hand tightly.
“We are goin’ to share?” She was breathing hard.
“If ye daenae mind it? It’s only until the sun rises.”
She straightened up and tilted her chin in defiance. “I should remind ye about that dagger I said I was hidin’ in my skirts.”
“I ken ye daenae have one, though I could search ye more thoroughly, to be sure ye’re nae goin’ to attack me as I sleep,” he replied silkily.
A flicker of a smile graced her lips. “I daenae think there’ll be any need, as ye’re back in my favor.” She paused. “Oh, but I hope ye willnae mind a hard floor for a bed. I hear it does wonders for yer back.”
“I wouldnae do a thing to threaten yer honor,” he told her, while thinking of all the things he would truly like to do with her. Not one had any consideration for her honor, but as Fergus had said, it was already their wedding day—there was nothingtodishonor, as she would soon be his wife. Besides, they had already taken one step in the right direction that night.
Gazing deeply into her eyes, watching a steady flow of emotion and confusion move across her beautiful face, he felt a sharp stab in his chest. A blade of his own emotion, to serve as a reminder: he could not fall in love with this woman. He could not form an attachment, he could not come to cherish her, he could not bind his heart to her or the loss of her would kill him.
Yet, as she gave his hand a tight squeeze, he feared it was already much too late to prevent any of that. Just as she had barreled into him at the Masquerade, she had barreled into his heart, and he doubted anything would remove her now.
CHAPTER20
“Would ye care for another?It’s a bit cold up here.” Felix raised his clay cup, steaming with the hot brew that Fergus had insisted on sending up.
Edwina was somewhat wary of the contents, but it tasted sweet and spiced, reminding her of the drinks that she and her father would share on bitter winter nights. “Have ye changed yer mind about sleepin’?”
That look burned in his eyes again. That ravenous, sultry look that made her skin tingle and her stomach tighten. She could not help but look at his lips, noting how he brushed the tip of his tongue across the bottom, reminding her of the tower. Before that delicious experience, she had not known what he was hungry for. Now, she had a better idea.
“I daenae ken if I could, even if I wanted to,” he replied, his voice thick.
