Page 40 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
He tried to rid himself of such thoughts. He was not a man who would toy with an innocent and until he had more knowledge of her heritage and learned her father’s identity, he could not contemplate a future for himself and the lass. For all he knew, she could be part of the MacNeil clan. Regardless, he would never debauch a lass as naïve and innocent as she was.
But, for all his resolve, when he recalled holding her tenderly in his arms and seeing her lying on his bed, he felt that familiar response in his groin.
He shook his head. She was becoming his obsession. And obsessing over a lass was something he’d never done before. He made his mind up that the following day he would spar again with Ulric, one of his crew, a Viking, who was also a master swordsman. His body needed to be stretched and his wits needed sharpening. He needed to be done with mooning over a lass like some lovesick, callow, youngster.
As he entered the keep, he was greeted by Mildred.
“D’ye wish tae take refreshments in the solar, me laird?”
He’d been so caught up in his thoughts of Davina that he’d scarcely noticed his hunger. “Och. I would like that, thank ye.”
Mildred bobbed a curtsy and turned to go.
“Can ye ask the wee lass, Mistress Davina, tae join me in the solar fer a bite tae eat? I daresay she’s fair famished after all her travails.”
A tiny smile quirked Mildred’s lips as she nodded before heading back to the kitchen.
As he made his way to the solar, he found he was very much looking forward to seeing Mistress Davina and sharing a repast with her.
He mentally kicked himself in the backside.Haven’t I just told meself this has tae stop?
He was waiting by the fire in the solar wondering if he’d lost his mind when there came a tap on the door. His heart gave a resounding leap as he recognized it as belonging to Davina.
As she entered in a cloud of rose-scented fragrance, he lost his breath altogether. She was clad in a ruby velvet robe that buttoned high in the neck, with long sleeves with cuffs embroidered in gold. Cinched at the waist with a gold silk girdle, it emphasized her slender curves.
Her hair, freshly washed and bearing no traces of the grime she’d been dowsed in earlier, tumbled over her shoulders to her waist in a shining wine-colored waterfall, spliced with copper and gold.
She turned her face up to him and, at once, he was lost in the mystery of her green-flecked, amber, eyes with their long, dark, lashes.
He managed to draw a breath again. “What, nay kitten?” He kept his voice steady. To his surprise, he sounded almost nonchalant.
She flushed a pleasant shade of pink. “I didnae have the heart tae disturb her, sleeping so peacefully as she was on yer feather pillow.”
He laughed at that, struggling to keep the image of Davina’s head sleeping peacefully on his pillow.Her hair would be tangled after a bout of lovemaking, after writhing under me in…
Giving his thoughts a severe scolding, he gestured to the large armchair beside his. “Dae sit down, mistress Davina.” He eyed her up and down, hardly trusting himself, but unable to resist the luscious sight. “Ye look grand, lass. Methinks a scented bath in a warm tub daes ye the world of good.”
She grinned, a hint of mischief in those amber eyes. “It was the very thing I needed above all. It was a joy tae shed me wet clothing and bathe meself in the heavenly warmth.”
He swallowed, trying to disperse the lump that formed in his throat at the mention of her shedding her clothing.Good lord. What is wrong wi’ me?
Just then the maids arrived with platters of tasty bites, jugs of wine and mead, placing them on the small table at the center of the room.
“Come join me, lass.” He pulled out a tapestry covered chair by the table for her to sit.
Her eyes grew wide as she took in the delicacies spread before her. There was a delicious smoked fish and leek soup, tiny chicken pies made of the flakiest buttery pastry ever seen, shortbread, and a most delicious dessert of raisins and whipped cream rolled in pastry. And, of course, bannocks and raspberry jam.
He ladled some soup into a bowl and passed it to her and served some for himself.
It was always a pleasure to watch her enjoyment as she ate at his table. Her delight was clear for all to see.
He poured a goblet of red wine for them both and toasted her good health. “Slàinte mhath. The roses are blooming in yer cheeks and it is me fervent hope they continue tae dae so.”
“Mayhap ‘tis yer pampering that has brought the roses tae bloom.”
She lowered her gaze for a moment. When she raised her green-and-gold eyes to meet his, he felt a dance of something like the sparks from the fire passing between them. Without any thought, he suddenly reached for her hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss onto her soft skin.
Her loud gasp caused him wonder. Was she so unused to affection? Yet she did not pull her hand away.
