Page 14 of Tempting the Highland Devil
“Do that,” he said then stepped aside and watched her repeat his moves. When she hunched her shoulders, he walked to her and flattened his palm on the small of her back.
She stiffened and gasped. He caught a whiff of the scent of roses in her hair. He could picture the pout of her lips even as she stood with her back to him. Arran’s eyes turned hazy as she suddenly shoved her elbow into his abdomen, knocking the wind out of him.
He dropped to his knees and grunted. “I may nay ken how to wield a sword, but I ken how to catch a man unguarded,” she boasted, tossed him a triumphant smile, then tossed her sword to the ground. “That is enough for today. I have to attend to the clan’s seamstress and prepare me dresses for the harvest feast.”
She sashayed away from him, and he watched her hips sway from one side to the other. Arran’s pain faded as he took in the sight. A smoldering, persistent longing threaded through his system, and he did not realize Duncan approached him until he heard his laugh.
“She caught ye unawares, did she nay? That was a sharp move. I taught her that move last year after Killian almost kidnapped her. I have nay seen her use it on anyone.”
Duncan laughed some more as he demonstrated Yvaine’s move.
“Are ye done?” Arran asked as he hustled himself to his feet then dusted his kilt. “She got lucky because I was distracted.”
“Aye, aye…If that is what ye think, then let us go with that.”
Duncan’s laugh was infectious, and it soon got Arran laughing too. He followed Duncan into the keep and spotted Yvaine laughing at something Lily or Amelia said to her.
She is so bonnie.He admired every part of her—those eyes that pierced into his soul always and her lips especially. Arran constantly thought of the day he might finally taste them.
While he watched her, she glanced over her shoulder, and her eyes landed on his. The sweet smile on her lips slowly faded as she stared at him for a long time then she looked away again, leaving him to stare at her back.
* * *
Arran and Duncan were headed for his grand hall when two guards hurriedly approached them and bowed.
“There are some men from MacGregor castle askin’ for Laird MacGregor.”
Duncan turned to Arran, and Arran’s guts twisted. After Duncan dismissed the guards, he faced Arran who was still, and asked, “Do ye want to meet yer men, or should I send them away?”
Arran contemplated his friend’s question for some time. He had not seen or spoken to any of his men since he assumed the lairdship some months ago.Because I never wanted to be their laird.The duty fell onto his lap regardless of how he felt about the situation.
He enjoyed his life here. The freedom to travel and explore the world. The liberty to be with the people who were actually his family.For years, no one in MacGregor had cared for his presence or absence. All of that changed after Duncan killed his father a year ago with Arran’s permission.
Arran’s right hand formed a tight fist as he stood there, his temples pounding at all corners. “Whatever it is, I am sure me man-at-arms can handle it,” he finally said to Duncan.
Duncan sighed. “Are ye certain, Arran? These are yer people; they deserve a leader who cares for them.”
“Just send them away, Duncan,” he answered stiffly then turned and marched towards Duncan’s study. Arran did not need to concern himself with the clan’s matters. Not once had he ever considered himself their ruler even as his father’s only heir.
I have never wanted the title or the castle.Arran loved his life as it was. This way he could stay a man and be true to himself. He did not need to worry about anyone’s needs or fear that he would fail them just as his father had.
He did not need to care about siring heirs or controlling his clan’s fortunes.
Living away from MacGregor made Arran certain that he would never be blinded by power and greed so much that he became just like his father.
8
The day of the feast arrived, and Yvaine tried to make herself feel comfortable with every dance she shared with Amelia and Lily. Killian’s sister, Niamh, was here for the harvest feast, and she joined in the Celtic dance around the hall.
Up until this day, Arran avoided her, and she had not bothered to seek him out either. Her days were consumed with learning from Amelia and training with Lily, even though she was still not good at it.
Tonight, Duncan would announce the competition, and Yvaine sensed that every unmarried gentleman in the hall would be at her beck and call. Her temples already pounded just imagining all of that attention.
The moment finally came when Duncan called for a toast and had the attention of everyone in the hall. The musicians stopped playing, and Duncan cleared his throat before he began.
“Tonight, I am delighted to announce my sister’s intention to find a husband before the end of the year. I shall be hostin’ every intending gentleman from the Highlands for the games that will last for a fortnight. The man who impresses her the most and wins the games shall be eligible for her hand.”
A loud applause erupted in the hall after the grand announcement, and when Duncan called for her to come stand by his side, she obeyed and tried to smile to everyone.
