Page 30 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
A hint of gratitude crossed his face.
She noticed that he and his mother shared many features, including the kindness in his eyes. Had it always been there? She didn’t know. But now that she could see it, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to ignore it.
“And here I was, hopin’ that this was a dream and that I could persuade ye to…” he trailed off as his eyes roamed over her.
Flames of desire slithered through her veins, waking her dull and slumbering senses. Suddenly, Astrid no longer needed the Laird’s coat, for she felt extremely hot.
“Alas, ye are on a much nobler quest than I. Go and tend to me faither.”
Astrid removed his coat and handed it back to him. He shook his head as his gaze flicked to the shadows in the courtyard.
“Keep it,” he said. “Ye may nae think there are eyes on us at the moment, but trust me when I say that we have an audience. Ye shouldnae be so careless. I promised I’d protect ye, and I will, even if that means protectin’ ye from yerself. Now, collect what ye need and be on yer way.”
Astrid did as she was told, fully aware that he was watching her every move. She couldn’t help but feel the weight of his protective eyes on her as she gathered the herbs. Her bodytingled with pleasure, knowing that she had his full attention. But he was right. She should have been more careful.
Plucking the last herb, Astrid rose from the patch of earth and swiftly made her way back to the castle. The Laird towered over her as she passed him. There was a playfulness to his stern gaze that made her feel like a child. He was protecting her not just from Laird Chalium but also from any danger that lurked about.
Stealing a glance at him, her heart fluttered. She pulled in a deep breath, savoring his musky, wild scent. It was as strong as the stone walls that made up the castle.
“Ye dinnae have to follow me,” she called over her shoulder when she noticed him trailing after her, as if he was her shadow.
“Aye, I do,” he answered. “Ye’re runnin’ about in yer shift.”
“Dinnae tell me that ye’ve never seen a lass in a shift. I’ll bet that ye’ve seen yer fair share of young lasses in even less,” she said.
“Clearly, ye dinnae ken what ye do to a man. The temptations that ye put before them… well, some may nae be as disciplined as I am.”
“Then I should thank ye for lookin’ after me,” Astrid said, her voice dropping as she studied him.
His lips twitched with delight as he gave a slight shrug. “Ye dinnae sound like ye’re actually thankin’ me,” he pointed out.
Astrid swore that she had seen the same glint of admiration in his mother’s eyes when she looked at Tavish.
“I can look after meself,” she insisted.
“Aye, yer little dagger,” the Laird drawled with a nod of his head. “And do ye sleep wit’ it?”
Astrid’s blood ran cold.
A sharp gasp escaped her lips, giving her away.
“Ye dinnae have it, do ye?” he asked. “See? It’s a good thing that ye have me with ye, is it nae?”
“Aye, but me question is,” Astrid started as she stopped at Tavish’s chamber door. “Ye’re the Laird, and ye could have easily told yer men to leave me be, so why come down with me? Unless this is all for show.”
The Laird’s expression shifted as he took a step back. “It’s nae every night that a phantom is sighted in me garden. I had to see for meself if a specter really had come to McFair Castle. And instead of a ghoul, I found an angel.”
“Och, good, ye’re back,” Alba said the second the door swung open. Her eyes flicked to the Laird. “Thomas? Have ye come to help?”
“I’ve merely escorted me future wife here,” he answered as he took Astrid’s hand in his own. Her eyes widened as he planted a kiss on her knuckles.
She held her breath as he flashed her a thoughtful smile. Then, without another word, he turned on his heels and disappeared down the hall.
“Wife?” Alba echoed as Astrid stood dumbfounded in the doorway.
“It would seem so,” she answered as she moved to the fireplace and tossed the herbs she’d gathered into the pot.
“And when was I goin’ to be informed of this?” Alba asked. “I am his maither, after all.”
