Page 38 of Bride of the Merciless Laird
The pie was followed by several sweet dishes: spiced clootie and custard, shortbread, almond and honey cakes.
They each groaned in turn as they finished their meal.
“Och. That was delicious, Malcolm. Me cheers tae yer good wife fer her fine effort in the kitchen.
“She will be pleased ye enjoyed yer meal.” He looked around with a smile. “Lassies, lads, are ye ready tae join the festivities in the parlor?”
Ewan rubbed his belly. “I’ll be needing a while tae let me supper settle.” He laughed as they all nodded.
“Very well. Ye will be most welcome whenever ye decide tae make an entrance.”
They sat back, warmed by the roasting fire in the hearth, replete, sipping their wine.
Isla piped up. “Now is the perfect time fer a game of I Dare Ye.” She explained the game to Tyra who was not familiar with it.
“Ye are given the choice of two dares, and ye must take one or the other.”
Duncan groaned and threw up his hands. “Oh nay, sister, last time we played ye had me tied in knots.”
She shook her head, slanting him a wicked chuckle. “Ye should nae have tried the easier dare. Dinnae blame me if ye refused tae dance wi’ the lady.”
He grimaced. “Mayhap dancing wi’ that lady would have been even worse.”
Tyra’s interest was piqued. “This could be fun. I can think of several dares I might ask of some at this very table.”
Isla nodded. “In that case, Tyra MacNeacail, ye shall be the first fer the dare.”
Tyra groaned. “As long as I can be next.” She was already sifting through dares she had in mind for Ewan. Uppermost was to dare him to join her in a reel at thecèilidh.
“So, Lady Tyra. I dare ye… tae…” She waved at the plateful of large bannocks on the table. “…eat a bannock in one mouthful or…”
Tyra eyed the bannocks. “Nay, I could ne’er push one of them inside me mouth without taking a bite.”
“Ye must choose between two dares. Ye eat the bannock whole, or… ye kiss me big braither.”
Ewan guffawed and Tyra threw a peeved look his way.
“Hm.” She mumbled. “Mayhap I could manage the bannock, after all.”
He grinned at her. “Me suggestion lass, is that ye’d dae far better wi’ the second option.” He proffered his cheek. “Unless, of course, ye’d prefer the bannock.”
Isla urged her on. “Oh, come on Tyra. Surely the big beast isn’t too bad?”
Tyra hesitated, then slowly started moving closer.
“I dinnae bite,” Ewan whispered.
Tyra was tingling all over at the sound of his voice. She puckered her lips, but at the last second he moved his head slightly and instead of his cheek, her lips brushed his mouth.
A bolt of lightning travelled through her. It danced around her heart, causing it to flutter alarmingly, then continued to her belly, making it squirm, before then continuing to the place between her thighs where a most disconcerting ache sprang to life.
It was as if the kiss had ignited a fire that scorched right through her body.
Flustered, she cast down her gaze. When she looked up, her eyes locked with his. Ewan’s blue had deepened to indigo and he was regarding her strangely, as if she was a stranger he was seeing for the first time.
“Ye see?” He whispered again.
She turned away her gaze, feeling momentarily as if he could see right to her soul.
