Page 18 of Claimed By the Heartless Highlander
Her slim, petite frame pressed against his, warm and pliant and giving, offering a small taste of heaven if only he was willing to accept it. He could feel her covered chest press against his bare skin, and the sensation sent heat and pleasure straight to his groin.
Every sense was swept up in a wave of desire the likes of which he’d not felt in years. His hand on her jaw moved to tangle in the strands of her hair, long and soft, like sunlight transformed to silk.
Her hair was so soft, like her skin. Softer even than Lily’s…
The thought of Lily felt like a bucket of ice water thrown over him. Duncan wrenched himself back, his chest heaving as he fought to get himself under control. He ignored the look of surprised hurt in Ailis’s eyes.
Lily. He was responsible for Lily, for her safety and her happiness above all. He was supposed to be marrying to pacify his clan and forge alliances, not find a bed partner.
He couldn’t afford to be distracted by desire, no matter how pretty and willing Ailis was. He also didn’t need any complications in his life, no matter how tempting they might be.
He turned away and rummaged in his bag for a clean shirt. He dressed quickly, wiped the rest of the blood off his sword, and resheathed it in the saddle sheath. Only when he was done, and sure that his face betrayed nothing of his feelings, did he turn back to Ailis.
“We should continue on if we want to reach me home by nightfall.”
He lifted her gently into her saddle, then swung up into his own, and nudged his horse into a soft trot.
For the rest of the trip, neither of them said a word.
CHAPTER8
“Here we are. Castle Muir.”
Ailis stared at the huge structure as it loomed out of the dusk. She’d been expecting a crude building, slightly larger than a village headman’s house, or mayhap a half-repaired ruin. Not a fortress.
But this was very much a proper castle, and quite large. It was also clearly intact and well-fortified to withstand any attack. It was impressive, and far from what she’d been led to expect.
Duncan guided her through the gates to a set of stables. He’d hardly spoken two words since that moment in the woods, and his voice almost startled her out of her saddle when he spoke.
“Aye.” Ailis slid down from her saddle, looking around in awe. “’Tis… I had heard yer castle was burned, so I wasnae expectin’ anythin’ like this.”
His voice was softer, and his shoulders a little less tense when he replied, “Aye. But we rebuilt here, where ‘tis safer. It isnae as comfortable, and ‘tis more remote, but I hope ye’ll like it anyway.” There was a bit of dark amusement in his voice when he continued, “And we do have a library for ye to read yer way through, and add volumes to yer heart’s content.”
“I’m sure it will suit me well.”
On the one hand, the idea of a library all her own was exciting. On the other hand, his words only served to remind her of what she didn’t have, and what he seemed determined to refuse to give her.
They handed over the horses, and the guards carried their bags inside, where a few maids in Muir tartan awaited them. One among them stepped forward. “Welcome home, Me Laird.”
“Thank ye, Kara.” Duncan beckoned Ailis forward, though he didn’t take her hand like he had when they were in her father’s castle. “This is Lady Ailis Anderson. I’d like ye to see her to her quarters and tend to her needs.”
“As ye wish, Me Laird. Are there any particular guest quarters ye’d like me to prepare for the lady?”
Duncan glanced at Ailis once, a quick, unreadable glance that she could make nothing of before he turned back to Kara. “Nay. ’Tis nae the guest chambers she’ll be stayin’ in. Lady Ailis will be stayin’ in the chambers of the Lady of the clan.”
The servants started, and Ailis felt something twist in her stomach. As his servants, especially the ones who seemed to be responsible for seeing to his comfort, they should have known about her.
What had he told them about his journey? Had he told anyone he went to claim a potential bride? Or was she just a stranger to them, a random lass their Laird had brought home?
If they didn’t know he’d gone to claim her hand, then what did they think her purpose here was? And what did they think of her claiming the Lady’s chambers?
She wasn’t sure of the answers, but she knew what most people were likely to think, and that made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
The maid was too polite to say anything. She simply nodded. “Aye, Me Laird.”
Duncan started to turn away, and Ailis hesitated a moment, then hurried after him. “Me Laird… Duncan. Wait a moment. There’s somethin’ I need to discuss with ye, afore I retire.”
He hesitated a moment, then gave a curt nod. He gestured to the waiting servants. “Take Her Ladyship’s things to her rooms, air them out, and prepare them for her arrival. I’ll have her escorted there after we finish our discussion.” He turned back toward Ailis. “Come along to me study, and we’ll talk there.”
