Page 39 of Bound to a Scot
“Sorry,” he replied and made a hasty move.
Emmeline’s thin eyebrow arched, and she raised her gaze. “Are ye certain ye want tae make that move? Puts ye in a precarious position.”
Maddox looked down at the board and immediately realized his error. He chuckled.
“I’ll let ye take the move back,” she said.
“And have ye throw that back in me face when I beat ye anyway? Nay thanks.”
Her laughter rang in his ears, the sound so light and musical, it put a smile in Maddox’s heart. Emmeline’s laughter came from deep within her, and was joyous, infectious, so that Maddox couldn’t help but laugh along with her. For the first time since he’d met her, Maddox saw an unrestrained joy in her face. It was as if being out from beneath Burchard’s thumb had lifted aweight off her shoulders and unlocked something within her. It was wonderful to see.
She grinned at him. “Suit yerself.”
She moved another piece on the board, strengthening her own position while putting Maddox in jeopardy. He frowned and studied the pieces intently for a moment before finding a way out of the trap she’d laid for him. As he moved his piece, he grinned to himself.
“Bleedin’ hell,” she muttered.
On and on they played until they both reached the conclusion that the game was going to end in a stalemate. Neither could win, but neither would lose either. It was an interesting result. In all the matches he’d played, he had never battled to a draw with anybody before. Emmeline had a keen tactical mind. With every passing day, he learned something new about her that impressed him. She was so unlike any woman he’d ever met that Maddox was utterly fascinated with her. The more he learned about Emmeline, the more he wanted to know.
“Well played,” he said.
“’Twas a draw. I wouldnae necessarily say it was well played.”
“Nae many people have ever played me tae a draw before.”
The corner of her mouth crinkled adorably with a smile. “’Tis a surprise tae me that I can fit in this room with yer bleedin’ ego.”
“Believe me, it surprises me too.”
That set off another rolling belly laugh. Emmeline’s face turned red, and tears streamed down her face. She just seemed so free. It was so vastly different than her normal state. She usually seemed terrified to say or do the wrong thing that would earn her husband’s wrath. It was a side of her Maddox found himself being drawn to, that he wanted to see more of. The more time he spent with her, the more time with her he wanted. But he knew he was likely not going to get the chance. It was a thought that depressed him.
“Another game?” she asked.
“Nay. Nay more games,” he said.
Maddox got to his feet and walked to the table where he poured them each another cup of wine. He brought them back to the table and set one of the cups down in front of her, then sat down and stared into the fire as he tried to get his thoughts back under control. The room was silent, save for the cracking and popping of the wood as they were consumed by the flames that flickered as wildly as his thoughts.
“Are ye all right?” she asked.
“Aye. Just thinking.”
“About what?”
“A lot of things.”
“Like what then?”
Maddox took a deep draw of his wine as he considered whether to share what was going through his mind with her or not. Part of him wanted to. But he knew that would likely only make an already complicated situation even messier and would put her in a precarious position. And the last thing he wanted was to make her life any more difficult than it already was.
“How is Lorn?” he asked.
“He’s fine. Ye didnae dae any permanent damage.”
“’Tis good. I’m glad,” he said softly. “And like I told ye before, I really am sorry fer the way that all played out.”
“I appreciate the apology, but I’m nae the one ye should be apologizin’ tae,” she said. “Ye really should be makin’ yer amends tae him.”
“Aye. Probably so.”
