Page 31 of A Two-Faced Laird
Aidan was mystified.
“What do you mean?” he asked. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with me apart from a little cold, Father.”
“That is not what I mean, and you know it!” the Laird growled. “You know that you should be starting to court suitable, eligible young ladies, but what are you doing? Riding with the guards, hunting, and worse still, you have been seen with Edina McCarthy. Hell, you were seen carrying her upstairs the other evening. What was that all about?
Every time you are seen with her, the news is all over the castle in seconds. You know that servants’ gossip spreads like wildfire. Did you not listen when I warned you about this last time? If you do not choose a suitable young lady, then I will choose one for you! You are the Findlay heir, act like it!”
Aidan jumped to his feet. If there had been a time when he had been angrier, he could not remember it. He leaned across the desk so that his face was inches from the Laird’s, and his voice throbbed with menace.
“You can choose whoever you like, Father, but you cannot force me to marry her. My bride will be my choice.” He thumbed himself in the chest to emphasise his point. “So unless you want to be thoroughly and completely humiliated in front of the family of the lady you pick for me when I refuse her, I think you should leave this to me. I’ve done everything you have asked of me, so let this one pass, Father.”
Father and son glared at each other for another few moments before Aidan turned on his heel and left, slamming the door behind him.
Aidan strode across the courtyard, then took the first set of stairs which led to the bedchambers upstairs. He went to his own room first, then threw himself on his bed. His mind was still full of Edina, and he could think of no way of banishing her image, unless it was to confront her openly about how he felt. That way she could reject him outright, and he could put all his foolish thoughts about her out of his head.
Having decided what to do, Lewis marched determinedly out of his bedroom and along the passage to Edina’s. He had no idea whether she was in or not, since it was one of her school days, but he was determined to try. He hesitated outside the door for a moment, then thrust his chest out, squared his shoulders, and let out a long breath before knocking.
A moment later, the door opened and Edina stood looking at him, eyes wide with surprise.
“A–Lewis,” she said faintly, looking if anyone heard her.
She stood aside to let him in, and an instant later he found himself wrapped in her arms as she hugged him tightly. He was somewhat surprised, but tightened his own arms around her, loving the feel of her soft, pliant body.
“I am so glad you’re better,” Edina said softly, smiling. “I was so worried about you that I did something I should not have done last night.”
She looked slightly embarrassed, he thought.
“What did you do?” he asked, frowning.
“I came to see how you were,” she replied, blushing, “but I ended up falling asleep myself. I woke up just before dawn in time to make my escape before anyone saw me. But I am so glad to see you looking well.”
Because of you,he thought.
Somehow, Edina had had a beneficial effect on him which he could not explain—but no, that was fanciful, he said to himself. However, when he touched her hair he had thought it was a dream, but it had obviously not been, and he had not been dreaming about her scent either.
Something about Edina had done him good, and it was at that very moment that he realised she always would, that she was the woman he wanted by his side forever. In many ways, she was his opposite. She was outgoing and funny, driven by her ambitions, determined and confident, but she could be tender and sympathetic too, and he knew that she would be an excellent listener if ever he needed one.
A few seconds later, Edina found herself in the circle of Aidan’s arms with his lips on hers as he bestowed a searing kiss on her. Edina pressed her body hard against his and plunged one hand into his thick hair, while she rested the other on his chest to feel his rapidly beating heart. She was sensitive to his body’s reaction to her by the hard ridge pressed against her belly, and felt extremely proud that she could make him so aroused.
When they drew apart a few moments later, he looked down at her and his eyes were dark with desire.
“Edina,” he whispered. “May I lock the door?”
Edina nodded but said nothing. She had no need to ask why.
12
It was Edina who threw herself into Aidan’s arms again, and in a moment he had swept her off her feet and laid her down tenderly on her bed. Then, he lay down beside her, his gaze not leaving her for a second. He knew he should not be doing this. There was no future for them, and he did not want to use her like some kind of plaything then abandon her, but once more his traitorous man’s body betrayed him. At that moment, he was utterly helpless.
She was far too tempting, he thought, with her long tawny hair, bewitching violet eyes, and a body that every woman in the castle envied, and he was far too needy. How long had he wanted her? He realised that it had been from the very first moment he had seen her after all the years they had spent apart.
Did he love her? Did she love him? At this moment, it did not matter, since nothing mattered but the pressure of her body against his and the fusing of their lips, which was driving them both into a kind of sensual madness.
At last, they drew apart and looked at each other, then Edina smiled.
“I would love to do that again,” she whispered. “And again, and again, then more. I have never been with a man before, Aidan, and I have often wondered what it would be like, and who I would choose to be the first. Now I know.”
“Me?” Aidan was astonished. “Edina, we cannot do this. According to my father, my duty is to be married to a worthy Laird’s or Baron’s daughter and give her many children, preferably all boys. I don’t want that, but I have no choice. I am not an innocent, Edina, but you are. You know that women are always judged more harshly than men. You must be a virgin on your wedding night, and I will do nothing to take that away from you.”
