Page 21 of Bride of the Sinful Laird
“Tyra showed me all around the castle so that I’ll nae be lost in its many corridors and rooms. And the gardens are lovely.”
“Well, if ye can be spared, mayhap ye could showmearound Scorrybreac also,” Edmund said politely.
MacDonald’s scowl deepened. His eyes darted from Annora to Edmund, seated side by side, their postures rigid with discomfort. Annora did not enjoy being in the company of Harris, whose eyes seemed forever seeking a flaw or something with which to goad Edmund.
Her disquiet was more than justified this morning, when Harris, after studying them for a moment too long, gave a dismissive shrug and bared his teeth in a faux smile.
“I declare, fer a newly married couple, ye are both much too cold fer me liking.” He was smiling like a wolf about to strike. “Why, I believe I’ve ne’er seen any sign of affection between ye. Nae so much as two hands finding each other, let alone a kiss between ye.”
She heard Edmund suck in a breath and looked at him in alarm. Beside him, his fists were curling ominously into fists.
An uncomfortable silence descended over the room.
“I have been taught nae tae show such feelings in public, as a woman of me status, but if ye insist…” Annora began. BeforeEdmund realized what was happening, she flung aside her embroidery hoop and leapt to her feet.
As Edmund looked up, she flung herself down beside his chair, reached behind his head and drew him toward her. As he leaned in, his mouth half open and his startled eyes wide, she pressed her lips to his, and kissed him hard and long.
It was an impetuous, heartfelt moment, and for an instant she was afraid Edmund would pull away, but after only the tiniest hesitation, he loosened his shoulders and clasped her in his arms, bending her slightly, his lips taking hers with a sudden rush of passion that took her completely by surprise, robbing her breath and causing her heart to hammer so hard she almost thought it would bounce out of her chest.
It was clear this was never meant to be a mere peck of affection, but the truly passionate kiss of a couple that had feelings that went beyond.
When the kiss finally came to an end, she was breathless, her cheeks heated, her lips plush and swollen. She shook her head, dazed, but smiling delightedly at Edmund.
Edmund faced off at Harris. “What was that ye were saying about us?”
MacDonald made no reply, but got to his feet and strode to the still open door and was gone in an instant.
Annora turned to Edmund, extending her hand. “Mayhap I can show ye the garden now.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
The very instant they were out of earshot of the solar and there was no one else in sight, Annora looked at him, her cheeks burning. Her heart was hammering and she could hardly form the words pounding in her head.
Edmund cleared his throat and grinned at her. “I dae believe what ye did was a stroke of genius. Ye fair put MacDonald in his place.”
“I ken we had agreed there should be nay touching, yet I feared the Laird Harris might begin to suspect something amiss between us.”
Had he felt the same rush of fire that had taken her by surprise when he kissed her?
“I dinnae think he will think so now, lass.” He cast her a quizzical look, an eyebrow raised. “Ye were most convincing.”
She looked away, wishing to change their conversation to something that would hide her feelings.
“How was yer meeting? Did ye find the Elders agreeable? What did ye discuss?”
He answered immediately, as if he too wished to avoid the subject. “They were agreeable, friendly yet reserved. I could see they were shrewdly assessing me every word. Of course, they asked me if I wished tae claim the lairdship.”
Annora gasped. “And what did ye say?”
He took a while to answer, as if he was turning it over in his mind.
“I told them the truth of me heart. I dinnae ken if I wish it. I have much tae learn of the clan and they must accept me. I’m a stranger tae Clan MacNeacail, despite me blood, and I dinnae wish tae seem a usurper. I’ve learned a great deal about me parents, and I have yet tae reconcile what I have heard today with the ideas I’ve held tight tae me soul fer the past twenty-five years or so. I had believed meself abandoned by me own faither, and today I learned this was nae so.”
Her heart was in her mouth. “What of me? Ye promised tae take me wherever I wished tae go tae be safe from any pursuit.”
“I ken that is what I promised. And I will nae break me word. If ye can still hold tae yer word tae give me a fortnight, I’ll sail ye wherever ye wish tae go.”
The stiffness departed from her shoulders at his words.
