Page 58 of The Highlander's Alluring Spy
Her father waited back home for her return. Lizzy and baby John, too, who hadn’t heard a word from her in all this time.
How can I be considering abandoning it all so easily?
“How long dae ye think it’ll take ‘til everyone in the castle kens? An hour? Less?” Nathair’s deep voice whispered in her ear.
She yelped, jumping a little before turning quickly to see him gazing at her with amusement in his eyes. “Nathair! How long have you been awake?”
He chuckled, reaching up to brush her hair from her face. “Since Betty knocked on the door. Ye cannae blame a man for wantin’ to overhear the lassies gossipin’ about his beddin’ prowess.”
Magnolia grinned and swatted at him, aiming to hit him lightly on the shoulder, but he caught her wrist and tugged. She squeaked, falling sideways on top of him, trapped by his arms.
Her face was inches from his, and she looked down into his eyes. They were intense and smoldering and focused only on her. “Why, My Laird,” she said coquettishly. “You seem to have captured me in your embrace.”
“Indeed,” he agreed in a different, rougher voice, the hunger of the night before rising to the surface again. “What are ye gonnae dae about it?”
I suppose there’s always time to consider my choices later.
She giggled and leaned down, their lips meeting and molding together as though they were created to do so. There was no slowness to it, this time. As soon as her mouth was on Nathair’s, need surged through her. Their mouths opened, their hands tore at useless clothing.
Getting out of bed was delayed by another hour or so.
* * *
“Well?” Uncle William asked as Betty walked into the small private dining room. “Will His Lairdship be joinin’ us for breakfast, or are Abbie and me to adopt this wee button an’ all?”
Elaine giggled as William tickled her under the chin when he said this. “If ye adopt me, will that make all four o’ yer bairns me brothers and sisters instead o’ me cousins?” she asked.
“Five, when the new one comes,” Auntie Abbie corrected. “But I dinnae think yer Dadaidh would want us stealin’ ye away.”
Elaine nodded seriously. “Aye, I ken. He needs me here to look after him.” She smiled at Betty and said, “Isnae he well? He’s usually up earlier than a’ this.”
“Ah,” Betty said, and for some reason, there was a strange smirk on her face. “Well, Elaine, ye see, Me Laird and Magnolia both have other things to occupy them this mornin’. I’m afraid there’ll probably be a wee bit o’ a delay before ye see them.”
Auntie Abbie and Uncle William exchanged a strange look, and Elaine tilted her head curiously. “Other things?” she asked. “Like work? Is Maggie still helpin’ Dadaidh with the hard things?”
Uncle William’s eyes were narrowed as he surveyed Betty. Still, they cleared up, and there was a big grin on his face as he said, “Och, aye, I’m bettin’ Magnolia’s helpin’ yer Da wi’ somethingrighthard as we speak.”
For some reason, Auntie Abbie swatted his shoulder for that. “Behave, William,” she said, as Betty giggled. Then a curious look crossed her features as she addressed Betty. “Me husband may be vulgar, but serve me curiosity. Is he correct?”
“I couldnae possibly comment,” Betty said, placing Elaine’s breakfast down in front of her. “But I will say that Magnolia lookedverypleased when I went to wake her this morn.”
“And Nathair?” William pressed.
“Why,” Betty said, eyes sparkling. “I dae believe I woke him an’ all.”
All three adults laughed, which mystified Elaine even further. What on Earth was funny about waking people up?
I shall never grow up. I shall stay a bairn forever so I dinnae laugh at nonsense.
Bored of this conversation, she said, “The pups were both sleepin’ when I went to see them this mornin’. Dae ye think they’ll be awake to play after breakfast?”
“Actually, Elaine, Magnolia suggested a wee trip down to the village today. Dae ye want to come with us and see yer friends?” Betty asked her.
“Ye’re comin’ an’ all?” Elaine asked, surprised. Betty never came along on fun things like this!
“Aye, if yer Da says it’s grand,” Betty confirmed. Then she had that odd smile on her face. “An’ I’ll tell ye, I think he’s like to agree wi’ anythin’ Magnolia asks o’ him today.”
“Why?” Elaine asked, eyes wide. Even more confusingly, her aunt and uncle started laughing again! She frowned, crossing her arms. “Adults are right strange,” she declared.
