Page 62 of Kilted Abduction
“Well?” he demanded. “Why are ye creepin’ intae me bleedin’ bedchamber in the middle of the night then, eh?”
“I—I just—I wanted tae show ye somethin’.”
He shook his head and looked at her, his expression one of confusion darkened by mortification. Magnus pulled his blanket around him tighter. His modesty was not something she had expected but she found it utterly adorable and endearing.
“Show me somethin’? What? Are Fairfax’s men in the castle? Are we under attack?” he asked, sounding suddenly concerned.
“Nay. Naethin’ like that.”
He relaxed, though only slightly, and continued to stare at her partly in annoyance, but partly with curiosity as well.
“Then what?” he asked.
“Just… put on some bleedin’ clothes and come with me.”
“Where are we goin’ then?”
She sighed in frustration. “Stop askin’ questions, put on some clothes, and meet me in the corridor. Come on, hurry up.”
Ciara dashed out of the chamber and pulled the door closed behind her. She leaned against the wall and put her hand to her chest, a quavering smile upon her lips and her cheeks still burning bright, unable to get the image of Magnus’ naked body out of her mind. He looked as if he’d been sculpted from marble, every angle and plane of his body standing out in sharp relief. She’d never seen a man without clothes on before and although she was mortified, she couldn’t say she hadn’t enjoyed seeing Magnus’s body.
She turned away and clapped a hand over her mouth, doing her best to stifle her giggling and slow her racing heart. The feelings flowing through her body were foreign to her, but she knewenough about herself to be aware that she was being consumed by a wanton desire. Some small bit of her was ashamed by such inappropriate feelings. She was a lady, after all. But she couldn’t deny that seeing Magnus in such a state had triggered something deep and primal in her. Something she never knew existed. However, now that the door had opened, she found she couldn’t close it again. What was worse was the fact that she didn’t really want to, either.
The door opened and Magnus, thankfully dressed, stepped out. “All right. So, what dae ye want tae show me at this ungodly hour? Is everythin’ all right?”
“Aye. Everythin’s fine.”
“Then what is this about?”
“I told ye I wanted ye tae learn tae enjoy life a wee bit more, didnae I?”
“Aye. Ye did,” he agreed. “But ye never said ye were goin’ tae dae that in the middle of the bleedin’ night.”
“’Tis the only time I can show ye what I wanted tae show ye.”
“And what is that?”
“Ye’ll see,” she replied. “Come with me.”
Magnus looked as if he wanted to argue further and part of her feared he would refuse to follow her without an explanation. But he inclined his head and motioned for her to lead the way. Ciara looked at him and then quickly turned away, her lips curling in a smile, as an image of his naked form popped into her mind once more.
She led him through the castle, drawing a strange and confused look from the two men posted at the front gates as they passed. Together, they walked through the yard then through the sallyport and across the land bridge that led to the village. Some villagers were already awake and tending to their morning chores, giving them the same strange looks as the guards at the gates had.
“What is this about, Ciara? Where are ye takin’ me?”
“Ye’ll see.”
“I dinnae like this. We shouldnae be out in the middle of the night?—”
“’Tis nae the middle of the night,” she replied. “’Tis far closer tae dawn than ye think.”
The sky above them was already starting to lighten, the dark purple and blue hues gradually giving way as the coming day bled into the night. In the distance, to the east, a thick bank of dark clouds loomed, promising the brutal snowstorm they had been talking about for the last couple of days, but forthe moment, the sky was clear, though cold. Ciara thought it promised to be an exceptionally beautiful morning.
She led him down the path that cut through the village and into the woods just beyond. All the while, Magnus followed. He didn’t speak a word and the expression on his face was one of curiosity tinged with a bit of irritation, but he didn’t complain, nor did he object. Ciara glanced over her shoulder and offered him a smile.
“Just a wee bit further,” she said.
“This better be worth draggin’ me out of bed in the dead of night.”
