Page 37 of The Last Debutante
“My lord! Do you truly think I would attempt toescape?”
“Laird,” he said, so close now that she could see the twinkle of the gem on his lapel pin.
“Laird,”she said with exasperation. “I was not attempting to escape! How could I possibly?”
“I donna think you can,” he said with a shrug. “But I understand you are a frequent visitor to the front gates.”
“Not true! I’ve walked by there a time or two, but only because I am out of my mind with tedium, and I should like to see the village.”
“Is that why you asked the milkmaid how far it is to the main road to Edinburra, then?”
Well. The Campbells didn’t miss a thing, did they? And she’d thought the girl so kind and trustworthy. “I was curious.”
He smiled wryly. He was now so close that she had to tilt her head back to look up into his hazel eyes, which, she had to admit, were very alluring. “Miss Babcock, did I no’ explain what would happen if you tried to escape Dundavie?” His gaze fell to her mouth.
She wished he wouldn’t look at her like a lion admiring the little lamb he would devour for his supper! Because, Daria was vaguely aware, she would like to be that lamb. Her pulse began to race. “Dogs would tear me limb from limb,” she said, and paused to catch her breath. “Or some such nonsense.”
His gaze lifted to hers. There was a different look in his eyes, a deeply stirring, intent look. “Is that all?”
“No,” she said softly. She looked at his mouth, unable to look anywhere else. “I told you I was not afraid of you.” Though her knees at that moment would indicate otherwise.
He smiled provocatively. “Youshouldbe afraid of me. I’m no’ a particularly kind man.” He leaned closer, bracing his hand against the door, which, Daria realized, she was flat against. “No’ at all. I take what I want,” he said low, pausing to flick his gaze over her body, “and discard what I donna need.”
Take what you want,a tiny voice whispered. “Do you mean to intimidate me?”
“No,leannan. I think it would be far too difficult to intimidate you. I am telling you who I am and warning you no’ to toy with me.”
He was going to kiss her, Daria thought, her heart racing. It was outrageous, scandalous, and disrespectful—but God help her, she hoped hewouldkiss her. Kiss her like he had when he was out of his mind. Just...kissher. And when she thought he would, she heard the click of the door handle.
He was opening the door at her back. “Go now, before I do something I might regret, aye?” he murmured, his gaze on her mouth.
In a moment of insanity, Daria said, “I want to see my grandmother.”
That earned a smile of surprise from him, and one brow arched above the other. “Will you make demands now?”
“I am worried about her. I believe there is something terribly wrong with her, and I need to see her.”
“You will see her—”
“When?”
“Ach, lass, donna push. You will see her, I give you my word.” He pushed the door slightly open; she felt a slight rush of air on her back.
“And I want to dine with you,” she added recklessly.
His smile deepened. “Now you are being bloody unreasonable. You are the enemy of this Campbell clan.”
“But I am not a prisoner. You assured me I am not.” Daria tried not to think about how badly she desired to touch the stubble on his chin. “Yet I am treated as one, forced to dine alone.”
“You’ll no’ be welcome at our table.”
“I’ve endured many difficult tables, I assure you.”
“Rather confident, you are. Some might even say brazen.”
“I’m not the least bit brazen. But I will own to being rather stubborn.”
He suddenly laughed, the sound of it startlingly warm. His gaze swept down her body as he leaned in. “And what shall I ask in return for granting favors to the clan’s biggest enemy?” he mused. His arm brushed against her waist. He pushed the door open wider and leaned back. “I shall consider your request. Now, go and find Duffson, and for God’s sake, be a good lass.” He put his hand on her elbow and wheeled her about, giving her a gentle push out the door.
