Page 102 of Highlanders for the Holidays
“Is that a challenge?” she asked. “I’ll have ye know, I come from a long line of drunkards. ’Tis like mother’s milk to me.”
She leaned her head back and took a big gulp. Fire burned her throat and shot down her limb, and she coughed and hacked until her eyes watered. Roderick thumped her on the back and laughed.
The sounds of a drum, flute, and an instrument she’d never heard before filled the air.
“Come, the dancing is about to begin,” Roderick said, grabbing her hand.
“I don’t dance.”
If he heard her objection over the noisy celebrations, he blithely ignored it.
Suddenly they were part of a large circle of people moving first left and then right around the bonfire as they shouted a song. Though the steps to the dance were more elaborate, Lily found she could keep up by simply stepping sideways with the music. Unexpected laughter bubbled up inside her as she danced.
Through the din she heard Roderick’s deep and rich voice singing with the others. When he squeezed her hand, she turned to find him grinning at her. He looked like a young and carefree man, not the hardened and ever-vigilant warrior who brought her across half of Scotland. Being with his clan brought him joy. She wondered what it would be like to feel so bonded with the people one lived amongst.
She was breathless and thirsty when they finally left the circle. The whisky slid down far more easily the second and third times and went to her head.
Through the crowd, she caught a glimpse of the Spaniard. If she was sailing with him, she must rise early and walk to the bay before dawn. Her spirits plummeted at the thought. But as much as she had enjoyed this night, she did not want to remain here without Roderick. These were not her people.
“Are ye all right?” Roderick asked over the boisterous singing.
“I’m tired. I should go to bed,” she said, and then realized they had never found his grandmother. “Where am I to sleep?”
“For now, you’ll be in one of the guest chambers with some other lasses,” he said. “I’ll take ye there now.”
With everyone else at the bonfire, it was quiet on the walk back. Lily tried to sort out her feelings and decide whether to board the Spaniard’s ship in the morning. This was likely the last opportunity she’d have to leave for weeks and weeks. It would be foolish not to take it, and yet…
Roderick led her past the Great Hall to a two-story stone building. Once inside, he led her up a set of stairs lit by torches fixed in the wall sconces.
“Here it is,” he said, opening a heavy wooden door with an iron latch and hinges.
The bedchamber was glaringly empty, an open invitation. The tension grew taut between them as they stood in the doorway looking at the large bed. It was not difficult to read Roderick’s thoughts when he turned toward her. They were the same as hers.
“I’d wager that the other lasses who share your chamber will be at the bonfire until dawn,” he said, his gaze burning into her.
She could not risk missing that boat. Yet she could not let Roderick go quite yet. She rested her palms against his chest and closed her eyes. How could she say no to him when she would never see him again? Was one night worth what it would cost her?
“One kiss,” she said, rising on her toes. “One kiss. Then you must go.”
* * *
One kiss would not be nearlyenough, but Roderick would take whatever she would give.
He leaned down, intending just to brush her lips. But at the soft touch, his heart lurched, and he pulled her against him. She gave a soft moan, and her arms went around his neck as they deepened the kiss.
He could not have said how long they stood kissing in the doorway as if they’d never have the chance again. When she pulled away, he watched her face in the torchlight, hoping to see the desire he felt reflected in their deep green pools.
“One nightisworth it,” she murmured as she brushed her fingertips across his cheek. “It is.”
He was not sure what she meant, but it sounded promising. He glanced at the bed inside the room, then back at her, hoping she’d say aye.
“Roderick!”
He turned to see the guard who had spoken to him earlier about meeting with Alexander.Damn it.
“I’ve been looking all over for ye,” the guard said as he climbed the stairs. His gaze shifted to Lily, then back to Roderick. “The Lord of the Isles wishes to see ye now.”
Ach, why did the guard have to find him? If it were anyone else but the Lord of the Isles who wanted him, Roderick would make him wait.
“Let me bid the lass goodnight,” Roderick said, glaring at the guard, then he leaned down and spoke in Lily’s ear. “Shall I come back afterward?”
Before she had a chance to answer, the guard spoke again.
“The lord says to bring the Sassenach with ye.”
