Page 22 of The Wolf Laird's Obsession
He took a step toward her, hoping to elicit that expression again. “Shouldnae ye be waitin’ for me back in yer chambers?”
Her eyes narrowed, but she remained calm. “Has Flora arrived yet?”
There it is again. That polite little mask she keeps pullin’ over herself. As if I didnae watch her throw herself into a fight like a wildcat this afternoon.
“Nay. The roads are slower with the carriages. She’ll be here soon.”
He climbed another step, now just below her. They stood nearly eye to eye.
“I see.”
Silence settled between them.
Rowan continued to watch her under the flickering flame. His gaze drifted lower before he could stop it, following the rise and fall of her chest. A mistake.
I should leave before I do something foolish.
He took a deep breath, turning away to go down the stairs. “Ye should go back to yer chambers. The hour’s too late to be wanderin’ the keep.”
Her eyebrow rose. “I didnae realize the lady of the keep needed permission to stretch her legs.”
He paused.
There it is. The stubborn courage that nearly got her killed today.
Quickly, he turned back around and climbed the rest of the steps. He stepped into her space, forcing her to take a few steps back until her back hit the wall.
Sorcha gasped, nearly dropping the torch, but he held her fingers over it with his own, his other arm braced beside her head. He became acutely aware of the warmth of her hand, of the floral scent of her damp hair.
“Why did ye come, truly?” he asked quietly.
Her fingers tensed under his, and her brow furrowed as she looked up at him. “What?”
“Why did ye agree to this marriage?”
“For the same reason any woman would,” she said carefully, trying to pull free from his grip, but he held firm. “Duty.”
Does she think I’m a fool?
“That answer would satisfy most men.” He leaned closer, his hand tightening slightly around hers. She did not look away, her eyes holding an intense fire that burned through him. “But I am nae most men.”
“I noticed.”
This close, he could see the faint freckles on her nose, the long fringe of lashes framing those stubborn blue eyes.
What is she hidin’?
“Daenae feign bravery with me. I’ll see right through it.”
Color crept into her cheeks, irritation flashing across her face. She opened her mouth to speak, when a sound interrupted her.
Their heads snapped towards the bottom of the stairs as heavy footsteps pounded down the corridor. Rowan closed his eyes, inhaling as he leaned back. He moved to the side lest he do something he’d regret.
But before she could step past him, he spoke, “I’ll see ye soon.”
“Good evenin’, me Laird,” she said quickly, her voice tight.
Her shoulder brushed his chest as she slipped past him, the contact brief enough to send a jolt of awareness through him.
