Page 31 of Highlander's Captive Bride
He laughed, a deep-throated, rumbling sound that sent shivers down Daisy’s spine.
“I ken I lost me temper the last time ye went outside, and I have to apologize for that, lass,” Bellamy told his daughter gravely. “I was worried for ye, ye see, so ye’ll have to forgive me. But Daisy here has convinced me that I was wrong to worry, that the sunshine and fresh air may do ye good. And if it makes ye happy, then I have no objection,” he added, looking across the bed, directly into Daisy’s eyes.
A smile came unbidden to Daisy’s lips, and she felt her cheeks flush with heat.
Elodie clapped her hands, from somewhere summoning the energy to bounce up and down in the bed, though she was still as pale as a ghost and as fragile as a bundle of kindling.
“I’ll tell ye what,” the Laird added after a few moments of thought, not taking his eyes off Daisy. “What if we had a wee picnic, eh?”
Elodie shrieked with joy, and even Daisy could not suppress her laughter. Again, Elodie hugged her father.
“Is that a yes, then?” he asked her, hugging her back tenderly, smiling at Daisy over her shoulder.
Daisy’s cheeks grew so warm then, she had to lower her eyes.
“Aye! A great big aye! I’d love a picnic! I’ll bring all me favorite dolls,” the little girl cried.
“All right, then. Are ye free this afternoon? Would three o’clock suit ye?” the Laird asked in a playful tone.
“That would suit me perfectly, Sir,” Elodie told him with all the gravity of a duchess, playing along. “I’ll wear me best dress.”
“Grand. That settles it. I’ll come and collect ye then, so make sure ye’re dressed to the nines.”
“I’ll be ready, Da. But there’s one more thing,” Elodie wheedled sweetly.
“Oh, and what might that be?” he asked, looking somewhat taken aback.
“Daisy must come, too. She hasnae had any time to herself all the time she’s been looking after me, so ’tis only fair she should join in the picnic.”
Startled, Daisy looked up. Bellamy was staring at her, a slow grin forming on his lips. She was snared by the pair of gray eyes which, when she looked into them, seemed to gleam with an almost wolfish hunger that sent shivers through her.
“I… er…” she murmured in confusion, sure her cheeks were now glowing crimson, and struggling to tear her eyes from his and look at Elodie instead for some respite from the tension.
“Daisy,” he said, and she had to look at him again as he addressed her directly in a low, enticing voice. “Me and Elodie here would be honored if ye’d join us for our picnic.”
Och, by God! Does he ken what he’s doing to me? And in front of the lassie, too!
“Of course, she’ll come, won’t ye, Daisy?” Elodie weighed in, gazing at Daisy imploringly with big, gray eyes in a way that tugged on her heartstrings.
The child looks so happy. I cannae disappoint her.
“I’d be very honored to attend yer picnic, thank ye kindly for inviting me,” Daisy found herself saying, summoning a bright smile for Elodie, who clapped her hands, looking as pleased as punch.
“Well, there we go. ’Tis all agreed,” Bellamy said, sounding mightily pleased with himself as he rose to his feet. “Now, I must go and finish me business for the day, bonny lass,” he told Elodie. “But first, I’ll make sure to call in at the kitchens and order some tasty delicacies for our picnic. Dinnae forget, I’ll be back to collect ye at three o’clock on the dot, ladies.”
“Thank ye, Da!” Elodie said excitedly, blowing him a kiss as he crossed to the door, casting an indecipherable glance over his shoulder at Daisy before leaving them alone.
“A picnic,” Elodie breathed when they were alone. “Och, d’ye nae think I have the best da in the whole world, Daisy?”
Daisy avoided answering her question by laughing and stroking her hair.
Bellamy was full of surprises, it seemed, but the hungry way he had looked at her had been disturbing. Guilt pricked at her again when she thought of it, for it brought to mind the passionate interludes they had previously shared. In turn, that reminded her of her shameless behavior on those occasions, which, in the circumstances, remained incomprehensible to her.
She would go to the picnic, she silently resolved, but only because it would make Elodie happy and do her good. Plus, it would be a nice way to spend time with Elodie as a sort of goodbye before she left the castle for good at Beltane.
At least, this was what she told herself, so as to avoid thinking about the excitement now tingling deep in her belly.
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