Page 45 of Deception and Desire
“I canna leave without a taste of ye. So if ye’re disinclined, speak yer piece now.”
Unable to form a syllable, let alone a word, she shook her head. His lips turned up, his gaze intense as he bent his head. When his tongue grazed her bottom lip, she held her breath and closed her eyes. The pulsing in her neck slid down the length of her body and settled in the most private of places. His mouth brushed against hers, and Fenella thought she would melt into a puddle like butter on a hot biscuit. Strong hands pressed her body against his, and she could feel his hard desire against her.
Lachlan pulled back, his forehead against hers. “We’d better get outside before Mrs. Douglas comes looking for us.”
He grabbed her hand and led her to the door. Quietly, they joined the group. Fenella knew if anyone turned to study her now, they would know. Her head spun with Lachlan’s closeness and the heat that lingered on her cheeks. She could still feel his lips pressed to hers, the velvet stroke of his tongue, the unfamiliar ache between her legs.Mercy!How this man affected her.
Forcing herself to concentrate on the words around her, she realized Lachlan was speaking. He’d joined in as if he hadn’t just tilted her world upside down. It was still early evening, and the sun glinted on the blue-slated roof, casting the front of the house in shadows of light and dark. MacGregor had returned with the guests’ horses and tied them to the hitching post, pretending not to listen to the conversation.
Lachlan looked at MacGregor and then Fenella. “I’ve been thinking—”
“Och, no. Not again,” interrupted Colin with a chortle. “It’s never a good thing when he does that.”
Fenella wanted to laugh at Lachlan’s irritated glare but clamped her lips shut. The familial bickering between the MacNaughtons was its own source of entertainment.
“What if we returned yer hospitality by taking ye out next Sunday before the meal? We could go to Glasgow Green, stroll along the banks of the Clyde or watch a game of bowls.” Lachlan paused. “Do ye ladies play?”
“My father taught me when I was a child,” said Fenella, surprised her voice held no evidence of the tumult waging inside, “but it’s been many years.”
“I’ve watched enough times but never played,” added Rose.
“Fergus can drive us in the phaeton. If I tire earlier, he can keep me company.” Her grandmother arched an eyebrow at MacGregor, and he gave a nod of his head. “It’s settled, then.”
The men reiterated their thanks, bowed to the ladies, and untied the reins from the hitch. Fenella noticed Rose watched Colin’s tall form mount his horse as she did Lachlan.Mercy!But they looked fine in the saddle. The young women couldn’t take their eyes from the retreating forms until they turned the corner.
“Shall we go back inside?” asked her grandmother, breaking the silence.
They reentered the house, the door closed, and all three women stood silently in the entry hall looking at one another. Then they all began talking at once.
“This was a verra interesting afternoon.”
“Lachlan looked so handsome in his kilt, and his voice…”
“I swear that man is as big as a bear and so finely built.”
“Ladies, ladies,” shouted Aileen. “Let’s go into the parlor and discuss our next step.”
Fenella frowned. “That sounds like some kind of plan.”
Her grandmother grins. “Oh, it is, my sweet lass, it is.”
Rose gave Aileen a hug. “I cannot thank you enough for inviting me to join you. It’s an honor, truly.”
“Och, my granddaughter is the only one close to a title in this house. Ye’re on the same footing as me and the MacNaughtons. Ye eat with us any other time, so why would ye no’ join us today?”
Rose blushed. “I’m a servant, Mrs. Douglas.”
“You are my companion,” corrected Fenella, “as long we are in Scotland. Lady Franklin would have an apoplexy, would she not?”
They all chortled at that image.
“Now,” continued Aileen as they settled in front of the small fire, “I’ll share my observations.”
“Please do,” said Rose.
Fenella sat quietly, knowing her secret was out. Did it matter?Not really,she thought, a loud sigh escaping as she remembered his body so close to hers on the settee.
“Ye already ken, my dear, that I see something between ye and Lachlan. He doesna take his eyes off ye, and ye’re face turns a different shade each time ye catch his eye. And dinna think I missed the short absence at the end.” She patted Fenella’s blushing cheek. “There’s nothing wrong with a wee coquetry. It will give ye something to compare the others to when ye go home.”
