Page 56 of Laird of Smoke
“I…panicked,” Adam lied.
“Ye?The man who feigned to be the emissary o’ the Pope?”She crossed her arms over her chest.“I don’t believe that.So why then?”
He curled his lip, rubbing at the spot where she’d poked him.“’Twas an accident.”
She arched a dubious brow.“An accident is fallin’ into the burn.Ye announced it like ye were the town crier.”
Damn.Could he hide nothing from the lass?
“Fine,” he grumbled.“I didn’t like the way Pitcairn was lookin’ at ye.”
“What do ye mean?”
He scowled, waving his arms in disgust.“Did ye not see?He was lickin’ his lips like ye were his next meal.His eyes all full o’ hunger.His droolin’ chin on the floor.His trews swellin’ up like—” He stopped as he saw Aillenn begin to blush, wishing he could stuff the words back into his mouth.Then he lowered his arms and sighed.“I only meant to protect ye from unwanted advances.”
“I know how to thwart unwanted advances.”
“Do ye?”he accused, unreasonably vexed.“Because the man didn’t seem to be the least bit thwarted.”
“Why should ye care?”
“Because I…”
He hesitated, staring into her inquisitive eyes.Eyes that shone like dark pools in moonlight.Eyes full of kindness and strength, wit and wisdom.
What?Love you?Want you for myself?Can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching you?Holding you?Pressing their lips to…
“I told ye,” he decided gruffly, averting his gaze.“I’m a protector.”
She sighed.“I understand.Truly I do.”She moved forward, taking his right hand between her own and speaking earnestly.“But I swear to ye, Adam, I don’t need protectin’.I’ve been on my own for a while now.I can protect myself.Ye have to trust me.”
He’d held his breath from the moment she’d taken his hand.Her skin was soft, warm, comforting.And the way she was gazing at him now—with sympathy and reassurance—made his heart flicker with affection.
“Besides,” she added with an enigmatic smile, patting the back of his hand before releasing him, “how do ye know his advances were unwanted?”
Her offhand remark hit him like the blow of Brand’s lance, straight in the gut.
Was she attracted to Pitcairn?She’d said she wished to secure a husband before her father could drag her back to Ireland.Did she think Laird Pitcairn might be that husband?
It was troubling.
Pitcairn might be handsome.Rich.Young.
But the laird had a reputation for philandering.A sharp tongue with servants.And a reckless love of gambling.
He was completely wrong for Aillenn.
“’Tisn’t true, is it?”he asked her.“Ye don’t have feelin’s for Pitcairn?”
She shrugged and turned away from him.“What does it matter now?Ye’ve already told him ye’re my husband.”
Eve smiled a secret smile as she sauntered toward the table and poured water from the pitcher into the basin.
Adam was jealous.He might be a master of disguise.But when it came to his emotions, he was as transparent as glass.
She soaked a linen rag and began dabbing at her face and neck.
Why his jealousy pleased her, she wasn’t sure.Perhaps it was because it felt like it gave her the upper hand.Like she was in control.Even if her heart wasn’t so sure of that.
