Page 44 of A Virgin for the Vicious Highlander
“Would that nae make ye incapable of becomin’ a nun?” he challenged. “After all, yer aunt marched ye all the way here because of a kiss that never happened and claimed that I’d ruined ye. I assumed there was a certain degree of purity that had to be maintained. Then again, what do I ken about nuns and vows?”
Cecilia shrugged and downed what was left in her cup. “I see it more as startin’ a new life, wipin’ away any marks on theold one.” She stood up, shrugging off the kilt. “But since ye’ve made it clear that ye’re nae interested in helpin’ me, I’ll just ask someone else. Aye, it’s nae written anywhere on me list that it has to be with the same person.”
She moved toward the door, but he was faster, grabbing her arm. “Neversay that again.”
Cecilia blinked at him, her gaze flitting from his eyes to his hand on her arm. “Why should I nae? Ye wouldnae help me before. Why would ye help me now?”
Murdoch desperately sought an answer, but it would not come. He could not explain, even to himself. But the thought of her entangled with another man, kissing someone else, unleashing those sighs and cries of pleasure at the touch of someone who was not him made him so angry, so livid that he could have driven his fist through the door without trying.
Control yerself. She cannae be of any concern to ye. For both yer sakes.
He let go of her. “Very well. Do as ye please,” he said, not meaning a word of it. “I’ll check the door again, and if it willnae open, I’ll break it down.”
He closed his hand over the iron ring and tugged. The door opened immediately, almost knocking him off balance. He had expected it to still be locked, throwing him into hours of temptation, forcing him to fight the urge to fulfill everything onher list right there and then before someone came to let them out.
“On yer way,” he groused, hoping there was no note of disappointment in his voice.
She stalked past him without a word and climbed down the winding staircase until her footsteps faded into silence.
Murdoch stayed where he was for a moment longer, wishing he had thought to ask what else was on that wretched, delicious, infuriating list. After all, the sooner all those items were crossed, the sooner they would both get what they wanted.
In theory, at least.
CHAPTER 19
What now?
Cecilia groaned, covering her pounding head with a pillow as a knock sounded at her door.
After spending the night tossing and turning, her heart racing, her dreams traitorous, she had just drifted off to what might be considered an ordinary slumber. Yet, it seemed that she would not be permitted any rest today, as if the night before had set a precedent.
“Cecilia?” Aileen’s voice followed the next series of urgent knocks.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Cecilia stayed as still and silent as she could, hoping that Aileen would give up and leave. How could she hope to face Murdoch’s mother after what had happened in the tower? She would surely blush and give herself away.
And I never blush! He did this to me!
However, Dipper, who had been comfortably curled up on the foot of her bed, decided to betray her. He jumped up, his tail wagging, and barked as if the English were at the door.
Taking that as permission, Aileen entered. “Mairie said that ye couldnae possibly be asleep at his hour. She told me ye’re always up with the birds,” she said, bustling over to windows to open the shutters wide. “Ye’ve missed breakfast, but I cannae have ye missin’ any more of the day. There’s too much to do.”
Cecilia poked her head out from beneath the pillow. “I have a headache.”
“Och, well, we’ll visit the healer on our way,” Aileen replied, pausing to scratch between Dipper’s pointy ears. “A headache is nothin’ she cannae remedy.”
Cecilia sat up a little more, panic striking her as she remembered the torn red dress that was now draped over the back of her writing desk chair.
“On our way to where?” she croaked, praying that the older woman would not spot the wide tear in the neckline.
“The gallery, me dear,” Aileen replied. “It has the best light in the castle. The maids are bringin’ every gown they can for ye to try, and two dressmakers are on the way to the castle with morefor ye to choose from. It cannae be any old gown, since ye’re the guest of honor tonight.”
Cecilia stared at her wide-eyed. “Tonight?”
“Aye, well, Mairie said that she had to go back to the convent soon, so we decided there wasnae a moment to waste. We’re havin’ the cèilidh tonight—did I nae mention that to ye before? Och, never mind, ye ken now. It willnae be as grand as I’ve hoped, but there’ll be enough guests to entertain ye. They should be arrivin’ soon, so I need ye out of bed,” Aileen explained in a clipped voice, coming over to throw back the coverlets.
Cecilia held them tighter to her body. Although she wore a nightdress, she worried that Aileen might be able to tell that she had experienced something… new last night.
Mairie had always said that she could spot the touch of a man on a nun from fifty paces. Of course, Cecilia had told herself that it was nonsense and had even assured Paisley of that, but now she was not so sure.
