Page 92 of Laird of Flint
“Why not?” She held up a hand. “And don’t tell me ’tis a knight’s duty to protect all ladies.” She still stung from that remark.
“I told you before, ’tis too dangerous.”
“There’s nothing dangerous about givin’ a tithe to a monastery.”
“If they suspect you know anything…”
“They won’t. I won’t give anythin’ away. I’m a laird’s daughter. I’m used to keepin’ up appearances.”
He seemed frustrated. “I don’t want you entangled in any of this.”
“I’m already entangled.” Then she smiled. A genuine smile this time. “But don’t worry. I’m brilliant. Or so I’ve been told.” She reached up to give him a reassuring clap on the cheek.
He seized her wrist with his unbandaged hand. “I’m serious, my lady.”
As he spoke, he began brushing his thumb idly back and forth along the inside of her wrist, the way she put a lizard to sleep by rubbing its belly.
“This is a hazardous game,” he said. “If anything should go awry… If anything should endanger you… Bloody hell, if anything should happen to the woman I love…”
She gave a little gasp.
He halted the movement of his thumb.
Had he meant that?
He’d left the sentence unfinished. He clearly hadn’t meant to blurt that out. But had he meant it?
She gazed into his eyes. Eyes that shone like molten silver. Eyes that suffered and smoldered and adored. And she saw the truth. He’d spoken from his heart. Hedidlove her.
Carenza was never impulsive. She plotted and planned every move, every gesture, every expression. What to wear. What to say. How to comport herself. Such was the life of the clan’s heiress.
But for the first time in her life she threw caution to the wind. Acted on instinct. And followed her heart.
Curling her fists in the front of his plaid, she pushed him back against the stone wall of the church, closed her eyes, and pressed her lips to his.
Chapter 17
It wasn’t the first time a woman had stolen a kiss from Hew. Every time in the past, however, he’d known what to do.
He would immediately take charge, grateful to find a mate whose passion equaled his. He’d pull them into an intimate embrace. Sweep his hands into their hair. Slant his mouth across theirs. And feast on them with the hunger of a starving beast.
This time he felt utterly lost.
Carenza’s kiss was careful, tentative, innocent. He doubted she’d ever kissed a man before.
His heart bellowed at him to seize the day. Slake his thirst for her. Take advantage of this moment.
Yet he hesitated.
This was not every woman from his past.
This was Lady Carenza.
The lady of his dreams.
His One True Love.
The lass he was afraid to lose.
