Page 86 of The Scot’s Secret

But Alex definitely did.

Clara never let her eyes leave his, and she knew he’d seen her every move as he stood before the dais. Though he averted his gaze to make his apologies to the lord and lady of Kenshire, a fire had been lit, and Clara prepared herself to get burned.

His apologies made, Alex walked to the empty seat next to hers—the one reserved for him. Emma admitted to having rearranged their seating earlier, though at the time it had not seemed to matter.

But he was here now.

“My lady.” Rather than look at him directly, Clara chanced a glance at Emma, who tried to hide her broad, mischievous smile by starting a conversation with Sara.

Clara turned to Alex as if she had not a care in the world. “I thought perhaps you were not hungry.”

His eyes darkened as a servant poured him wine. He nodded his thanks to the cupbearer, seized his cup, and brought it to his lips.

“Quite the opposite.”

His look sent a shiver to her very core. The pull that had been there from the start seemed to grow with each passing day.

Clara refused to look away.

“Look,” she said, pointing to the servant who walked their way with a tray containing remnants of their earlier meal. “It appears your appetite will be sated soon.”

They watched the food as it was placed in front of him.

Alex raised his brows, his lips twitching as if to fight a smile.

“I can assure you, my lady, this—” he nodded to the food, “—will not help.”

Clara had caught herself in her own game. She swallowed, remembering what he’d done to her on the beach. Her body remembered too, and tingled in anticipation.

Alex leaned toward her, lowering his voice. “I know what you’re thinking.”

The tingling sensation grew, demanding her attention. She turned away, but Alex did not relent.

“I would do it again, a thousand times if you’d let me.”

Oh God, she should not have started this.

Alex leaned forward to look across the table, smiling at Lady Sara, who’d glanced their way.

“Besides—” he leaned back, “—we need to talk.”

She tried to calm her beating heart.

“We’re talking now.” She tried to make her voice sound casual, but Clara was sure she’d not succeeded.

“Nay, love, this is called flirting, not talking.”

Love.

“You’re not very subtle,” she chided.

“I don’t intend to be.”

With that, he turned his attention to the food before him. Normally, she loved Alex’s directness. But sometimes, namely this evening, it could be a tad off-putting. She supposed she deserved it for setting such a sensual tone.

“Aren’t they delicious?”

Emma had posed the question about her beloved pears, but Alex took it upon himself to answer.