Page 39 of To Serve a Laird
Iain drew her into his arms and pulled the blankets over them both. “No, Claire,” he said softly. “Thank you.” He gave a long sigh. “I wish we could stay here forever because I never want to let you go.”
“I wish that too,” Claire breathed. “With all my heart.”
Claire felt a wave of sheer happiness wash over her as she nestled into his warm body, feeling that she was at home, sheltered, as if he was a haven, and she had been lost at sea.
“Good.” He kissed her forehead. “Because I have never felt this way with anyone else, Claire. I doubt I ever will. Let me hold you for as long as I can.”
He had said he never wanted to let her go.
Oh, god, let it be true,she thought.
17
When she opened her eyes the next morning, it took Claire a few moments to realise where she was. When she realised that a strong, muscular arm was draped around her waist, everything came back to her in a rush.
She felt the warmth of Iain’s body on her back, his breath on her neck, and smelled the musk of his body, and she felt completely comfortable and utterly content. Claire knew that she should have left hours ago, and that she would be in huge trouble if anyone found her, but she was determined to savour whatever time she had with Iain because it was so precious.
She turned in Iain’s arms and saw that he was awake and watching her with a gentle smile on his face, the face that had become so dear to her. He leaned in to kiss her, a slow, tender kiss that made her want to give herself to him all over again, and Claire realised that she was never going to stop wanting him.
“Good morning, Claire,” he said, his voice still hoarse from sleep. “Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I have for ages,” she answered with a tender smile. She rubbed her hand down his cheek, loving the rasp of his new day’s whiskers under her palm. “And you?”
“Very well,” he replied, but Claire detected a certain sadness in his voice. “I wish you could stay right here all day. I’m sure we could find some way to pass the time.”
“My Laird!” Claire pretended to be outraged, and they both laughed, then she said regretfully, “So do I, but I cannot. I must go before I’m discovered.”
Reluctantly, she flipped the blankets off and stood up. Even though she kept her back to him, she knew he was watching her as she washed and dressed because she could feel his gaze on her as firmly as if it were the touch of his hand.
When Iain kissed Claire goodbye at the door to his bedroom that morning, he had no idea what the day would hold. He took her in his arms once more.
“Do you regret what happened between us last night, Claire?”
“Not a bit,” she replied firmly. “I have never felt so wonderful—so alive. Thank you for giving that to me, Iain.”
He kissed her forehead gently. “I’m so glad. I will try to always give you that feeling.” he promised, before opening the door for her to leave.
After she had gone, he put his hands over his face and growled out his frustration.
Why did I say that?he thought.That is a promise I won’t be able to keep. But, I need her so much…
Claire smiled at him as she slipped out of the door, surprised to see an expression of sadness on his handsome face.
“I’ll see you later,” she said huskily.
She left with great reluctance, then somehow managed to sneak out and go back to her own room. However, she had only been there a few moments when there was a loud knock at the door.
Frowning, Claire opened it to find Agnes standing there, looking frustrated and furious.
“I need tae ask for your help today,” she said irritably. “The Laird gave me permission. Some o’ the girls are sick an’ cannae work, an’ we are havin’ some important people comin’. I need everybody tae work—quick!”
“What is wrong with them?” Claire asked.
Agnes shrugged. “Spots,” she answered tersely. “The healer thinks it might be measles, but she isnae sure. Hurry up.”
She bustled away, leaving Claire to go and change into her old maid’s uniform. She was a little upset that Iain had sent her back to her old position again, but she supposed that they had to keep up the pretence that there was nothing going on between them.
And yet, there was because Claire realised that she loved Iain—not the way she had loved the boys she had had a crush on growing up, but truly, deeply, with her whole heart. He was everything to her, and she knew she would find it difficult, if not impossible, to leave him when the time came.
