Page 57 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
Rut shrieked as the boat nearly tipped, but he righted it, finally grounding it enough so he could help her out onto the beach. He knew better than to ask her to step into the water as he’d done, his best boots now soaked.
“Where are we? There’s no cottage here. And I’m not staying on the beach for a night, Dermot Rankin. You better at least findus a cave. The tide could come up and bury us and we’d be swept out to sea, never to be found—”
“Woman, cease your prattle, will you not?”
“Nay, I will not. I’m verra nervous, if you have not noticed. I don’t wish to die.” She stopped to face him, her hands now on her lovely hips.
“MacClane has a small cottage just over that ridge, directly next to the castle. I’ll carry you over it, if I must. I’ll see you safely there.”
“You better. I only agreed to come if you promised the trip would be quick and not challenging. I only wanted a nice dinner overlooking the sea. You know how I hate to spend much time in a boat. If I climb up that knoll, I’ll ruin my boots for sure. Oh, Dermot. What have you gotten us into? I may never forgive you for this. Lennox will be furious.”
She glared at him, her gaze narrowing, her breathing coming faster. “Where exactly was that dinner supposed to be?”
“MacLean Castle.”
“We’re here then.”
“Nay, I meant Neil MacLean’s Castle on the mainland. He has a wonderful cook.”
“Across that water? Are you out of your mind, Dermon Rankin? I don’t care to go that far.” Her hands shook at just the thought.
Dermot moved close to her. “You might wish to calm yourself, lassie.”
“I’ll do what I wish to do.”
“I know whatIwish to do right now.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
“I’d like to throw you down on the sand and have my way with you.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” she said, her voice softening, her breathing telling him she was as excited as he was.
He stepped closer, the wind whipping both of their hair around their faces. He reached up and yanked at her pins, letting her long mane loose. He played with her hair, running his fingers through the silky strands until she panted, her hands now on his chest.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“What I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
Dermot’s mouth descended on hers, his lips melding with hers until she parted them, allowing his tongue to do what he wished, and she met him with every stroke, just as he would have guessed.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sheona
Sheona sat inside Mother Mary’s office, her hands folded in her lap, waiting to see what the abbess wished to speak to her about. The abbess was a plain-looking woman, a bit sharp in spots. Even her chin was pointed, her elbows nearly cutting through her robe. But her eyes were kind, so Sheona trusted the woman.
“My thanks for joining me, Sheona. How are you enjoying our life here? It is quite beautiful, is it not?”
Sheona thought carefully before she spoke. “It is one of the most beautiful islands I’ve ever seen.” It wasn’t much of a lie. While the beaches were lovely here, they didn’t appeal more to her than her own castle, her own chamber. People she loved—her sister and brother, nephew. The brand new sweet bairn. Her dear horse. The dogs. She stopped to keep her tears at bay.
At present, Sheona wished to go home. Even though there were things there that frightened her, she knew her brother and father would always protect her.
Though they hadn’t protected her when she’d needed them most.
“Sheona, I believe something brought you here. Something that happened to you in your past. What say you?” The abbess leaned back in her chair and kept her eyes on Sheona.
She shook her head, a lump in her throat holding her words inside. When she was able, she said, “I don’t understand your question, Mother Mary. My sire brought me here.”
