Page 26 of Taming the Highland Misfits
“No, you arenae a burden,” Finley assured her. “You are exactly what I needed, lass. It can be very lonely here sometimes, an’ when the rain an’ the wind come howlin’ around here it is easy tae imagine all sorts o’ scary horrible things. Isla, do ye know how often I have sat here at night wishin’ I had somebody tae talk tae? If you are a burden ye are the best and easiest one I have ever had tae carry.
I want ye tae stay here wi’ me. Ye make me feel alive, Isla. I want ye tae feel at home here, an’ I never want tae hear ye call yourself a burden again, because ye arenae anythin’ o’ the sort. Ye will never have tae worry about your betrothed again, or anyone else who tries tae hurt ye, because I will dae my best tae keep ye safe. I have sorted out worse men than Iain Crawford before.”
“How?” she asked curiously.
He took his hands away from hers and clenched them into fists that were so big they looked like clubs. “Wi’ these,” he replied. “I hate men who hurt women, especially since Ma died. I think ye should all be loved an’ treated like the treasures you are.”
“Thank you, Finley.” Isla gave a great sigh of relief and gratitude. “Thank you again for all your kindness. I will never be able to repay you.”
She stood up so that they could move over to the fireplace and enjoy the heat, but before she could take a step forward she found herself in Finley’s arms, pressed against the hard warmth of his chest. A moment later, his lips were caressing hers, giving her the first kiss she had ever received from a man.
For a fleeting second Isla was taken aback and she froze, but as the gentle pressure of his mouth on hers continued, she relaxed against him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Then she felt his tongue tip gently prising her lips apart, and a completely new sensation overwhelmed her as it slowly stroked hers. Was this delicious thrill what happened when a man and woman kissed? Was it only for the first time, or was it always like this? Isla took a breath of the earthy scent of his body, then let out a little involuntary moan and pressed herself close to him. She felt a hard bulge against her belly, but was so caught up in the magic of the kiss to think about it.
After another glorious minute he drew away from her, leaving her feeling completely bereft. He leaned his forehead against hers for a few seconds, then took a step back to look at her.
In that one moment, Finley could never remember feeling such happiness. He only needed one more thing to make it complete. “Will ye stay, Isla?” he asked. “Trust me when I say ye are no’ a burden. We can help each other.”
“Then I will be happy to stay,” she answered, with a great, beaming smile. She was sure now that he was not saying just what she wanted to hear. He really meant these words, and she was elated, because leaving him would have been the hardest thing she had ever done.
11
As if in tune with her mood, the next day dawned bright and sunny, and Isla almost jumped out of bed, eager to start the day. However, a stab of pain from her head reminded her that she was not quite well yet, so she curbed her exuberance and got to her feet slowly. Then she smiled, remembering that she had no need to fear any more; Finley had promised to take care of her, and as long as she was under his roof she had nothing to fear—well, almost nothing. Of course, he could not protect her from everything all the time; she was not stupid enough to believe that, but she was much safer with him than she would have been on her own.
However, there was something else on her mind; the kiss. It had taken her completely by surprise, as had her feelings. The kiss had spoken of tenderness, gentleness but with an unspoken passion underneath. These were things she felt but could not put into words, and she wanted to ask Finley about it. Had it been a kiss of comfort? Reassurance? Or was he really interested in her as a man is interested in a woman he loves?
Finley puzzled her. Sometimes he was so open and friendly, and his wicked sense of humour came to the fore, making her laugh at some of the ridiculous things he said. At other times, however, he withdrew into himself and would only reply when spoken to. Isla wondered if, at times like those, he was thinking about his mother. She knew that her passing had affected him profoundly, and wondered if that was the reason why he spent so much time staring into space with a preoccupied frown on his face. He was an enigma, but one that she was looking forward to coming to grips with.
Presently, she saw Finley coming inside the cottage with an armful of firewood. His wide shoulders almost blocked the doorway, and he had to duck so that his head did not bang into the lintel of the door. She guessed that the bundle he was carrying weighed almost as much as she did, and gazed in admiration at the muscles in his arms. For the hundredth time, she thought what a magnificent man he was.
“Good morning!” she greeted him happily, excitement bubbling up inside her. “Are you in the mood for another reading lesson later?”
Finley looked at her eager, expectant expression and his heart sank. He had other, more pressing matters to attend to, which could not wait. He bent down to stack the firewood by the chimney to give himself a moment to think, then he stood up and faced her with a sad smile on his face.
“I cannae dae it today, Isla,” he replied, then slid his gaze away from hers. “I have tae go away for a wee while. Only a couple o’ days, I promise.” He turned away from her to pack a bag for his journey, but she caught his arm, and he turned to face her again.
“Where are you going?” Isla asked, frowning in concern. “You are going to leave me here on my own, Finley. I feel safe when you are here, but without you I am all on my own in this isolated cottage in the middle of nowhere. I don’t mind telling you I’m terrified.”
Finley saw the fear on her face and it almost broke his heart. “Ye will be fine, Isla,” he assured her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “When I am no’ here ye must lock the shutters on the windows an’ bar the door. Ye will be safe.”
“I hope so,” Isla said worriedly. “You still have not told me where you’re going, Finley.”
“I have tae take care o’ some business at the forge, an’ there is another man I have tae see,” he answered. “It’s a bit hard tae explain, Isla.”
For a moment, she could not take her eyes off him. His blue gaze was intense, and she felt as if he was looking into her soul. His red-gold hair fell to his shoulders, shining in the bright daylight, and she desperately wanted to run her hands through his short, well-trimmed beard.
Eventually, she looked away. “Of course,” she said dully. “You have responsibilities to attend to, and I am being selfish.”
“No, ye’re no’ bein’ selfish,” Finley assured her, with a half-smile. “I know ye’re scared, Isla, but I have tae earn money.”
Isla nodded slowly. “Of course, but I like your company, Finley, and I will miss you.”
“It is only two or three days,” he assured her. “I will miss you too, but ye can always find things tae dae. The animals need feedin’, the house needs cleanin’ an’ the vegetable garden needs tae be tended tae. An’ of course ye can go on wi’ your carvin’.”
Isla nodded slowly, then smiled. “Are you sure you trust me to cook for myself without burning the house down?”
“Quite sure,” Finley replied, laughing. He patted her on the back and began to pack a small satchel, which he slung over his shoulder when he finished. He looked around to see if he had forgotten anything, then glanced at Isla before going into the bedroom.
He came out carrying a broadsword, not a huge one, perhaps only about three feet long, but the edge of its lethally sharp blade gleamed in the sunlight, speaking of its deadly purpose.
