Page 27 of The Winter Laird

When attempting to convince her to become his wife, he didn’t think to mention the marriage bed.

Damned oversight on his part, but one he hoped to rectify soon.

He followed into the great hall, where Erin Maguire was clasping Brianagh’s hands as if they were long-lost friends, looking apologetic and shooting her husband, Donovan Maguire, looks that would kill any other.

“She doesn’t look like a Kildare,” Donovan noted, joining him.

“No, I don’t think she would, being as she’s an O’Rourke,” Nioclas replied.

“What?” Donovan’s mouth dropped open. “She’s not—”

“Her family seems to think so,” Nioclas cut him off quickly. “But I don’t. She is beautiful, was raised on the continent, and can hold an intelligent conversation…but I don’t think we can add ‘power over time’ to her list of attributes.”

“And what a fine list she seems to have,” Donovan replied appreciatively. At Nioclas’s glare, he laughed. “Oh, you know I’ve got more than enough with my Erin. But I’m not dead, Nick. I can appreciate a beautiful woman.”

Nioclas watched Brianagh chatting with Erin. She was animated and full of life. Her dark hair was slightly mussed from his hands, and she was flushed. Her eyes were sparkling and her laugh, albeit nervous, carried clear across the room.

Beauty was a fitting description.

* * *

Brianagh hadno idea what Erin Maguire was saying to her.

She suspected the woman was apologizing for her husband, but as Bri couldn’t shake her mind from that kiss, she really couldn’t say with certainty.

She had never felt like that before, where her insides turned to mush and all rational thought fled. All that existed was feeling; a feeling that, even now, had her just the slightest bit shaky. Never before had a man kissed her as if he wished to devour her. The intensity was mind-blowing and every other experience she’d ever had with a man was nearly erased.

And with just a kiss.

Bri reconsidered. She had felt something like this, but it was only in her dreams. And it was never this intense or this unfamiliar. Even now, she longed to be back in his arms.

Which was frightening in and of itself. Brianagh didn’tlongfor anything. Yet she could feel his eyes on her, and she felt a pull.

It was inconvenient and confusing and so very not what she needed right now.

“…to the north. We spend most of our time there and always make it a point to stay here when we travel between our lands,” Lady Maguire was saying, then paused and looked at Brianagh again. “Lady MacWilliam, are you all right?”

“Oh,” Bri nodded. “Yes, of course. I just…ah, I just…”

“Say no more,” Erin said with a knowing smile. “I’ve seen that look before. All the maids at my castle get the same look in their eyes when Nick deigns to grace us with his presence.” She sighed. “I vow, he never gives me enough notice so that I can get the maids out before he arrives. Once he does, you see, they forget about everything except him. Makes Donovan crazy. He is forever grumbling about how Nick must have more baths drawn than a body needs when he’s in residence.”

Brianagh smiled at Erin’s obvious irritation. “Well, I apologize on his behalf, then.”

“Oh, you mustn’t!” Erin exclaimed with a laugh. “If you start, you’ll never stop. Nick has more things to apologize for than you have time, trust me. I’m a MacWilliam by birth and we grew up together. Believe me when I say his penchant for insects in my dress was a lamentable one.”

“I would think that would’ve been the laird’s brother, Aidan.”

“Oh, I’ve no doubt they worked together,” Erin replied darkly. “But I’m convinced it was Nick. He always gave the air of a somber lad, but then he’d throw me a wink, and I justknew.”

Brianagh did laugh then. She was getting the same impression.

“You must call me Erin,” Erin exclaimed suddenly, “and I shall call you Brianagh. There’s something about you I like.”

“Call me Bri, and I feel just the same. I hear there’s a feast in this marriage’s honor?”

“And I’m starved. Shall we get your husband?”

Bri looked over at Nioclas, who hadn’t taken his eyes off of her. His lips curved into a smile, and she felt her stomach flip.Stop that!she demanded, but of course her stomach ignored her. Then he winked.

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