Page 31 of Bride of the Beastly Laird

“Good day tae ye, melady.”

“Why Arran, this is indeed a pleasure. I havenae laid eyes on ye in weeks.”

Her soft voice with its gentle thrill of delight touched deep into his heart. How he wished he could speak of his true feelings.

She tapped the padded seat beside her. As he sat – too close beside her but, at the same time, so distant – he breathed in the scent of roses that always seemed to float around her. Despite willing himself to hide the anguish it cost him to be with her here, his body betrayed him and he felt himself growing hard in his britches. He shifted in his seat in an attempt to disguise the growing bulge, silently cursing his manhood for not knowing its place.

“How have things been fer ye Arran?” She picked up a box of sweetmeats from the table and he took one, grateful for the distraction.

“Has there been any word from yer maither?

“Alas, nae. Bairre makes certain there is very little contact between us. And, as long as I continue tae dae his bidding he declares she is safe.”

Tear sprang into Dahlia’s eyes. “It is a cruel fate fer all of us tae be in the clutches of Bairre Mackinnon.”

“Aye it is indeed. And that brings me to the point of this mission. He has bid me pass on a message.”

“Oh?” She sat up straight. “He has decided to allow me tae return tae me home?”

“I wish, fer yer sake I could say aye, but it isnae so. He has ordered me tae be yer guard. Tae keep ye under watch night andday tae be certain ye dinnae flee this place. If ye dae escape, me maither’s life will immediately be forfeit.”

She groaned loudly, a frown creasing her forehead, and subsided back into her chair, a hand flying to her throat. “I can scarce believe the man’s cruelty. He is truly evil.”

“I can only agree with ye.” He leaned forward resting his head in his hands. “But, fer all that, I will dae everything in me power tae keep ye safe from him.”

“Aye. I ken that and I thank ye.”

“There is one more thing. He has asked ye tae dine with him this evening. A private meal between the two of ye in his solar.”

She jumped to her feet. “Nay. I cannae contemplate such a thing. Tae be alone with that… that… beast. It is more than I can bear.”

“I understand ye’re reluctant, lass, but fer now, until we can find a way out of this mess, we both must obey. The worst of it is, as yer personal guard he insists I be present in the solar also.”

“Nay!” The word exploded out of her mouth. “Bairre is insane. He bids me join him fer a private meal but insists ye be present also.”

Arran gave a grim smile. “Mayhap he’s afraid ye’ll run him through with a knife during the meal and he seeks me protection.”

Returning his smile, she nodded. “Why, that is exactly what I wish tae dae tae him. Mayhap he is smarter than I thought”

“Well then, melady, when ye finish yer business in the solar I shall accompany ye tae yer chamber so that ye may make ready fer yer evening spent with the laird.”

She shuddered. “I cannae tolerate the thought of it.”

“I’d hate tae have tae carry ye there mesel’ but if it comes to it…” He shrugged.

She pouted. “All right. I’ll agree, but only tae save us from his wrath.”

“All right. I’ll wait outside the solar fer ye and accompany ye tae yer chamber.” As he stood at the door he was conscious that there could well be someone, a servant, a squire, a serving-maid, waiting in the shadows observing his every move. He looked around, but apart from chambermaids hurrying along the corridor he saw no one lurking who could be spying on his movements.

They walked together in an agonizing silence, with Arran two paces behind Dahlia, keeping a distance that meant no conversation could pass between them. Any watcher would be disappointed if it was expected the two of them would indulge in private words.

When they reached the door to her chamber, they both scanned up and down the passageway.

“Unless there’s an invisible wraith hovering nearby, I believe we have the place tae ourselves, if only fer a brief while.” This was the moment he’d been praying for. A chance to spend time, in private, with Dahlia.

“There’s nae one in sight,” she said, opening the door. “If ye hasten intae me chamber now, nae one will see.”

It was an invitation impossible for him to refuse. At least for a brief time he would be with her with no watchful eyes on them. His heart quickened and without any encouragement, his manhood twitched and thickened.

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