Page 38 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
Lana used the interruption to avoid answering the woman's question. She stepped out from behind the screen, so Skye could see her in the nightdress.
"Ye look beautiful," Skye breathed, her voice filled with awe as she looked her up and down.
"I agree," the shopkeeper said, stepping out to look at the two of them in their new dresses. "Ye must buy them."
Lana heard the front door of the shop open. She was relieved they were in the back of the store, partially hidden from view. She didn't want others to see her dressed in nothing but a nightgown.
"I'll ask her faither about the dress," Lana said, nodding toward Skye. "But I think I'll leave this one here."
"Oh, but ye cannae," the shopkeeper insisted. "It's so perfect on ye."
"Thank ye." Lana smiled. She went back behind the screen. "But I daenae need it."
She had plenty of nightclothes back at the castle. She couldn't imagine telling Daniel that she had bought such a thing, especially when she had told him the trip was all for Skye. No, she would do what she could to convince him to buy the dress for his daughter. It was best to leave any additional purchases out of the conversation.
"Ye must buy it," Skye whined.
Lana suddenly noticed how tired the girl was. "It's alright, Skye. Let's get ye out of this dress."
"Nay," Skye protested, tears forming in her eyes. "I want to wear it on the way back home."
"Come now," Lana coaxed. She gave the shopkeeper an apologetic look. "We daenae ken if ye can keep it."
All at once, the events of the day caught up to the child. She scrunched her face in despair and was suddenly letting out huge, hiccupping sobs.
"But I want to keep it," Skye cried, each word loud and long.
Lana felt a sudden panic seize her chest as the child's cries echoed through the store. She had never dealt with a crying little girl before. Though her siblings had children, Lana always had the luxury of handing them to their parents when they got tired or upset.
"It's alright," Lana soothed. "Let's get changed, and we'll talk to yer faither."
She tried to guide Skye behind the screen, but the little girl wouldn't budge.
"I'm sure he would want her to have it," the shopkeeper interjected, trying to help, but Lana only felt more confused. If she gave in and told Skye they could buy it, things might get worse when Daniel came back.
"We'll take them both," a loud and imposing voice interrupted. "Please send the bill to MacCrawford Castle."
16
When he entered the shop, he didn't immediately see anyone. But then he heard Skye's voice coming from the back corner. He followed her voice, suddenly realizing that she sounded upset. When he rounded the corner, the wind was nearly knocked out of him as he saw Lana in nothing more than a silk nightgown.
The gown was white and flowy, the fabric like water against her skin. He could see how thin the material was, and he longed to be closer, eager to take in every curve of her body and imagine what lay beneath. Even from here, he could see the roundness of her breasts and the enticing curve of her hips that called to him, making him instantly aroused.
Daniel was so transfixed by her that it took him a moment to realize that his daughter was crying over a dress. Meanwhile, Lana was doing everything she could to comfort her.
"We'll take them both," he announced, surprising the three women, who looked up at him. "Please send the bill to MacCrawford Castle."
The interruption and the purchase of the dress was enough for Skye to calm down, and the next few minutes were a flurry of activity as Lana and Skye changed and their purchases were boxed up.
Daniel kept thinking about the shocked expression on Lana's face when she realized he was standing there. Had he only imagined the mischief in her eyes as she realized she was wearing a nightgown in front of him?
"Cameron, take Skye home," Daniel instructed.
The little girl was already in her uncle's arms, her head resting on his shoulder. Daniel had a feeling she would sleep before they arrived at the castle.
"Come with me," Daniel said, guiding Lana toward his horse.
He was disappointed to see she was back in her dress and all the layers of fabric this entailed. Still, he wanted her close to him, and he eagerly placed his hands on her waist to lift her onto his horse.
