Page 9 of Saved By the Cruel Highlander
“Exactly. Ye didnae think,” Elias interrupted. “She could be a spy or come to do me harm. Ye wouldnae let an unknown man into me audience room without a guard, would ye?”
The man’s face drained of color. “Nay. I’m sorry, Me Laird. ‘Twill never happen again.”
“See that it doesnae,” Elias snapped, then continued down the hall toward his audience chamber.
He didn’t really expect the woman to present a danger, but it was important that his men always took precautions and were always aware of their surroundings. Just because something was pretty—assuming the lady was—didn’t mean it wasn’t dangerous.
The door to the audience room was slightly ajar when Elias reached it. He started to push it open, then stopped and peeked through the opening. He could glimpse the woman enough to see that she had the most beautiful red hair and that she was tall and slender. The firelight from the hearth caught her tresses and highlighted them to a fiery glow.
“This has to work,” she muttered as she stood in front of the hearth.
Elias couldn’t see the front of her, but he could tell by the movement of her arms that she was fidgeting. And mumbling to herself, he thought with a little amusement.
“This is me only hope.”
His eyes narrowed. She sounded almost desperate, and he had the feeling that she was pinning all her hope on him. The thought soured his mood, and he pushed the door open with more force than necessary.
The heavy door swung out and slammed against the wall, briefly startling the lady.
She turned quickly, gasping in surprise. Elias braced himself, ready for her to get one look at his scar and drop her gaze. But she didn’t. Instead, she looked him right in the eye without flinching.
Relaxing somewhat, he was able to take his first good look at her and felt like he’d been punched in the gut. She was incredible. Along with her glorious red hair, she had almond-shaped, bright green eyes. An enchanting smattering of freckles danced on her nose and spread out across her cheeks.
Elias resisted the sudden urge to take her into his arms and kiss every one of those adorable freckles. His body responded immediately to her. Every muscle tensed up with the urge to take her up in his arms. His member swelled and ached.
“Hell,” he muttered under his breath and shifted slightly to ease some of the discomfort. “Ye wanted to speak with me, lass, so speak,” he growled.
He was a bit harsher than he’d intended, but he couldn’t help it. His body was reacting so strongly to her presence—somethinghe’d never experienced before. It startled him and made him leery.
He’d thought she’d be put off by his surly tone, but she didn’t even blink.
“Me apologies, Me Laird.”
The smile she gave him was bright and sent another bolt of desire through his body.
“I am Holly Taylor,” she said, then dipped low into a curtsey better fit for a king than him.
Taylor.
Elias knew that name. Of course, there were a lot of Taylors in Scotland and England, but there was something familiar about it. He just couldn’t put his finger on it.
“I have a proposition that would benefit us both,” she continued.
Elias’s eyebrows rose as he stepped further into the chamber and swung a hand out, indicating she should take a seat. Her words had further stoked his lust.
Holly took one of the four seats by the hearth, and Elias dropped into the one across from her.
“What is this proposition that had ye comin’ here alone, without a guard or escort?”
Holly’s eyes widened, and for a second, Elias was transfixed, watching the firelight twinkle in her eyes. She didn’t seem bothered by his question and merely shrugged demurely.
“I am nae used to havin’ escorts, and I usually take me servants with me when I travel. However, this business is too… er… shall I say, personal, to involve me servants.”
A bolt of desire shot through his groin, and it was all Elias could do not to groan. He’d already decided to agree to anything she asked. He wanted this woman more than he’d ever wanted a woman in his life.
Would she be willin’ to go to me chamber once we finish this silly talk and get started on our agreement?
“I have heard that ye are lookin’ for a wife,” Holly said, rudely jerking him out of his pleasant fantasy.
