Page 24 of The Highlander's Pirate Bride

She threw him an impish, playful look. “I’ll remind ye one more time that I’m nae lady.”

“Och. I kent that when we met in Ullapool. Ye were far too wild fer me tae ever think of ye that way.” She pondered on this as they made their way through the boisterous crowd. They found a small table where they could sit. Four empty tankards were already in place on the table.

He leaned in, whispering. “’Tis yer very wildness and yer fierceness that I admire most about ye.” Chuckling, he allowed his gaze to wander over her from head to toe as she took her seat. “When I’m nae fair stunned by yerbòidhcheadthat is. Ye’re the bonniest lass I’ve seen.”

“I cannae fathom why ye’d say such a thing,” she said lightly. Her cheeks burned and she turned her face away to hide the pleasure coursing through her at his words.

He reached a hand to cup her chin and turn her head so that she faced him. “Because it’s true Captain. I’ve told ye, I’m a man of my word. Ye’re beautiful.”

At that moment a pretty serving girl with an unlaced blouse displaying an expanse of white and fulsome breasts and a hint of exposed pink nipple, leaned over the table with a jug of ale and filled their tankards.

Aileen grinned. “The lads will have their pleasure this night.”

Finn shot a glance at Séamus, her eyes alight. “Mayhap they’ll nae be the only ones to sate their passion.” With a fond smile she took his hand under the table.

Aileen smiled at her two friends. “’Tis a welcome respite we have. Enjoy it to the full. Once we arrive at Dunrobin there’ll be nay relief.”

A cold stone sank in her stomach as she spoke. This was her last night of freedom. A day’s sailing with fair winds would take them to Dunrobin by the following night. Once the ship set sail there’d be nothing but grinding work until they reached their destination and whatever fate awaited them there.

She shivered pushing thoughts of Dunrobin from her mind.

Turning to Maxwell, she raised her tankard. “Slàinte Mhath.” She drank a long draft. “Tonight, we should enjoy ourselves with the rest. What say ye?”

“I’m all fer that.” He quaffed the ale. “Tonight, we should lose ourselves in taking our pleasure. Dinnae dwell on whatever fate may have in store.”

Aileen’s pulse quickened. She wanted to reach out and touch him.Tae hell with it. Why should I nae touch the man?Reaching a hesitant hand, she stroked Maxwell’s burly forearm, marveling at the hardness and strength in his arm. For once she wished to shed the fine kidskin gloves she wore. She wanted to feel his warmth under her fingers and toy with the dark hair visible above his strong wrist. She wanted tofeelhim and she wanted his arms around her.

She took another long draft of the ale and raised the tankard, drawing the innkeeper’s attention.

The man scurried over with another jug of ale. “Why Captain MacAlpin, ‘tis indeed good tae see ye again in me establishment. ‘Tis been long months since ye and yer men were here last. He nodded to Finn, “And yer loyal First Mate, of course.”

“D’ye have the same rooms available fer us tonight, Tam?”

Tam nodded. “I’ve two rooms if ye wish them.”

Aileen glanced at Finn and Séamus who nodded in unison. Finn leaned a little closer to Séamus’s wide shoulder, her eyes lighting up. These two were lovers who rarely spent a night together without the ever-watchful eyes of the crew observing their every move.

The landlord looked pointedly from Aileen to Maxwell. “That’s one room, Captain. D’ye require the other?”

For an instant Aileen was frozen, her head suddenly flushed with the prospect of spending a night with Maxwell. The last time she’d been here she’d spent the night alone in an expansive feather bed, relishing the space, the warmth and the fact that she was alone and far from Andrew Sutherland. Mayhap, tonight she’d relish the comfort even more if she was sharing the bed with MacNeil.

While she wavered, considering this, her heart beating fast against her ribcage, Maxwell, spoke out. His deep voice flowed over her senses, filled with honey and promise. “Aye.” His gaze flickered over her but, clearly, he was not waiting for her to make up her mind. “The captain will take yer second room. Shedoesnae wish tae spend the night in the barracks wi’ her crew, but enjoying the pleasures of yer bed.”

Tam grinned at Maxwell. “Good lad.” He looked to Aileen for confirmation. “Captain?”

“Och.” The fire was in her cheeks again. “Aye.” She took a deep breath, to steady herself. What she was doing now could never been undone, and if Sutherland heard of it, he might well take his sword to her as he would to Maxwell. “I’ll have yer room.”

CHAPTER NINE

Maxwell observed the pink flush creeping over Aileen’s cheeks and grinned. “Tonight, we forget the past and dinnae give a fig about the future.” He took the hand that was gently stroking his arm and looked into her eyes. “I’d kiss yer hand, if nae for these cursed gloves ye wear.”

She straightened. “Dinnae speak of the gloves, MacNeil.”

“I’m curious, Captain. What is it ye’re hiding?”

She withdrew her hand, shaking her head and glanced at him coldly. “Nae now, Maxwell. Ye said yerself tae forget the past.”

“Touché.” He squeezed the hand he was holding. “Me apologies.”

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