Page 19 of The Runaway Bride and the Highlander
“I’m going tae kiss ye now, Skylar,” he growled. “Stop me if ye dinnae want it.”
CHAPTERTEN
He lowered his mouth onto hers, but she did not flinch. Nor did she pull away. In fact, he felt her move further toward him, opening her luscious mouth, allowing entry to his tongue as it flicked about, tasting her sweetness. It did not take much, but the exploding sensations deep in his gut sent a message straight to his groin, and harder than ever, his manhood ached for more.
She had never been kissed before. Maxwell could not put into words how he knew it, but even as their mouths had entwined together and he had breathlessly lost himself in the moment, it was evident she was inexperienced. If she had not ever been kissed before, then surely it only made sense that she had never been with a man before either. It was not necessarily true, but once again, his gut was certain it was the case. It filled him with an excitement that took him by surprise.
Maxwell came to his senses after a moment and pulled back. He hated to end the kiss but knew he had urgent work to do now to protect not only his clan but Skylar as well.
After showing her to her room, he sent for a maid to tend to her. Maxwell would have very much liked to have stayed, but he had discovered what it was he needed to know, and now the council would be waiting for him.
Passing much activity on the corridors, Maxwell entered his study to find the council, Caelan, and Bram already present. They all stood at his entrance and bade him a welcome greeting.
“It is fine tae see ye have returned in good health, my laird,” Samuel Macleod expressed once Maxwell had lowered himself at the table they were all gathered around.
Samuel was yet another distant relative, some second cousin from a heritage of webbed marriages. A much older man with years of wisdom on his shoulders, he had always been kind and fair. Serving his father before him, Samuel had Maxwell’s trust and deep respect.
“I appreciate yer welcome, Samuel, but I bring news that we need tae address with a matter o’ urgency. Viscount Dundee had me follow Johnson’s men, as ye ken. We were tae report back any activities that we deemed might be useful.”
“We can only assume yer return back tae Dunvegan is due tae the fact that ye found such a thing,” Samuel offered.
“And yer assumption would be correct,” Maxwell said, nodding to Samuel. “Johnson was after a woman.”
His statement aroused low mumbling and confused frowns from among the older men.
“The woman was hiding in Iona Nunnery. My understanding is Johnson has murdered both her parents, and his intention is tae marry her for some gain I yet dinnae ken.”
“She must be important tae him for some reason,” James McKinley, another council member, added.
“Of that, I have nae doubt,” Maxwell agreed. “The woman, as ye can imagine, isnae agreeable tae the marriage and was hiding in the convent for the safety o’ her life. I fear if we let her leave she’ll either be forced tae marry Johnson and he, therefore, gets what he wants, or she may be killed for her refusal.”
Maxwell had decided to leave out what he knew about Skylar’s gift. He was not yet certain what to do with such information and wanted to speak to Bram first. His brother would likely have an opinion on it, and even if he didn’t, he would keep the information to himself if Maxwell saw fit that it was for the best.
“I’m afraid my rescuing her may have put us in further danger from Laird Johnson, but I wasnae given any other choice. I couldnae stand by and let her be assaulted by Johnson’s men.”
“Absolutely,” Samuel nodded, “ye did the right and proper thing, my laird. Ye have put tae us something o’ a serious nature that I believe ought to be discussed amongst us.”
“Aye,” a few others voiced, nodding in agreement.
Maxwell then watched on as there followed an intense debate amongst the older men about what should be done with Skylar. Some made mention of her stay at the castle being dangerous, but those comments were countered with reasonings of what might happen if Laird Johnson were to get hold of her. At least at Dunvegan, she would be protected, and in turn, so would they.
The deliberation went on for some time before a conclusion was finally reached, at which point Samuel once more spoke for those gathered.
“We see fit, my laird, that this young lass should stay within the protection o’ the castle, at least for now. Even though we have nae yet discovered what it is Laird Johnson wants with her, his extreme efforts o’ sending his men over many miles tae find her means he’s obviously desperate tae have her.”
“Aye,” James interjected, “for we ken Johnson well, and it cannae be for anything good. The English have him in their pocket. It’s best we protect her and ourselves. Tae that end, it would be prudent that she remains hidden until we can discover the man’s motivations.”
“Very well,” Maxwell nodded, trying his best not to look relieved at their decision.
“We have other news, my laird,” Samuel said. “Now that we have dealt with that issue, there is another that needs tae be addressed.”
“Go on,” Maxwell encouraged with a nod of his head.
Samuel hesitated for the smallest of seconds, his subtle reticence causing Maxwell to feel strangely unnerved.
“Well, my laird, Lady Fiona MacTavish has already arrived here at Dunvegan. The priest will arrive in two days tae marry the two o’ ye.”
He ought to have expected it, but all Maxwell could do was glare at the man.
