Page 70 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
His fist slammed into the shelf, rattling it hard enough that several books tumbled to the floor.
“Damn ye, Mairi,” he said under his breath.
He straightened, adjusting his tunic where her fingers had grazed his bare chest. He could still feel the heat of her on hisskin. Her taste lingered on his lips, and her sweet, floral scent permeated the air around him.
I cannae want a Sassenach like her.
He pushed away from the shelf and strode out of the library, leaving the books scattered on the floor.
His jaw tightened so hard it ached, but he had already made up his mind. If she wanted to run, then he would let her. He would not chase after an Englishwoman.
Not again.
Marian’s feet felt heavy as she found her way to her chamber. Her heart raced with every step, her fingers trembling as she pushed open the door with a creak.
She released a shaky breath once she was inside, shutting the door behind her and leaning against it.
What have I done?
Her fingers rose to her lips, touching them lightly as her eyes closed, replaying what had just happened. They were soft and swollen, still tingling from the fervency of Lachlan’s kiss.
“My Lady?”
Her eyes flew open, her heart skipping a beat. For a terrible moment, she’d thought she was alone. But no. Lilly stood near the hearth, her face wreathed in concern.
She quickly crossed the room to Marian’s side, checking both her arms for signs of injury. “I’m sorry, my Lady.” Her voice shook with worry. “Were you hurt?”
Marian shook her head. She tried to speak, but her lips trembled slightly.
Lilly’s gaze dropped to them, and her brow furrowed.
“What has happened?” she asked, her face turning red the moment her eyes met Marian’s. “Did… did the Laird?—”
“No.” Marian’s voice came out sharper than she’d intended. “He did not. It was not…” She dropped her hands to her sides, closing her eyes for a moment to think.
It was not that Lachlan had hurt her. He had carried her as if she were precious, and she had truly felt that she mattered to him. It was not that he’d forced her either. She had wanted the kiss. God help her, she’d wanted it more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life.
But she had called it amistake.
Her throat tightened, her fingers curling into her skirt.
“Lilly,” she said quietly, slowly opening her eyes. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “What if I have ruined everything?”
Lilly’s expression softened. She led Marian quietly to the bed, sitting beside her and holding her hand.
“Perhaps you can tell me what happened,” she coaxed.
Marian shook her head. “I cannot.”
Lilly squeezed her hands gently. “My Lady…”
“The Laird kissed me.” The words tumbled out before Marian could stop them. “And I… I told him it was a mistake.”
Lilly’s eyes widened, but she did not seem all that surprised by the kiss. “Why did you say that?”
“Because it is,” Marian said, her voice breaking. “Is it not? I came here to claim this land. The land that has belonged to his clan for years. We’ve been fighting since the day I arrived. And now…” She drew her hands out of Lilly’s, wringing them in her lap. “Now I do not understand what I want anymore.”
Lilly stayed quiet for a moment. Then she shifted closer to Marian, placing a hand on her knee. “Did it feel like a mistake?”
