Page 32 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
"There are guests in her home," Lana countered. "Ye dinnae tell her that one of them would be stayin' forever."
Daniel scoffed, blowing out air in annoyance. "Keep this up, and ye willnae stay through the evenin'."
"Daniel," Cameron cautioned as he approached them.
Daniel ignored his brother. He didn't seem to care that the whole table was staring at them. "If ye are finished eatin', then ye can leave."
The words hit Lana hard in the chest as she realized she was being dismissed. It made her feel like a naughty child who had misbehaved. She wanted to fight back, but she caught the look on her mother's face out of the corner of her eye.
She knew her mother would be horrified by her actions, and the last thing she wanted was to disappoint her. With a huff, Lana turned to leave the room.
"Nae ye," Daniel said, reaching out and grabbing a hold of her wrist.
She looked back at him and saw the intense stare he gave to the others still sitting at the table. It was clear from that look alone that he wanted Cameron, Moira, and Skye to leave.
"Come on, Skye," Cameron urged, helping the little girl out of her seat.
Moira stood up as well, though Lana could tell she felt torn. Her mother's expression was full of concern. Lana looked at her and gave a nod, telling her she would be alright.
"Is Lana in trouble?" Skye asked.
Cameron shushed her as he took her hand. "Let's see if we can find ye some dessert."
A moment later, the door closed, and Lana found herself alone with Daniel. She yanked her wrist out of his grasp as soon as the others were out of the room.
"I will thank ye nae to touch me," she hissed.
Lana walked away from him, wanting distance, and planted herself in the chair Skye had just vacated. She crossed her arms and stared at him, waiting for him to speak.
"Did ye speak with Skye?" he asked. "After I told ye nae to?"
"The lass is curious. And I daenae blamer her. She wasnae told anything about this change in her life."
"How can I make ye understand? What I tell me daughter or daenae tell her is none of yer concern."
"Fine," Lana said, feeling frustrated by the circles that all of their conversations seemed to run in. "Tell her whatever ye like. But I willnae lie to her. If she comes to me with questions, I will answer them."
"She shouldnae come to ye at all. Nae without me permission. And if the servants are losing track of her, then it may be time for me to make some changes in this household."
Gen's face flashed in Lana's mind. The last thing she wanted was to get anyone else in trouble, when she was the one who invited Skye into her room.
"Daniel," Lana said, before heaving out a sigh. She was tired of fighting. She leaned back in her chair, releasing the tension in her body. "She is a child. Even the best servants will lose track of her occasionally."
She glanced over at him. Was there a flash of understanding in his eye? The man's eyepatch had a way of masking his emotions, but she was getting better at reading him. She thought she saw him soften, and she took the opportunity to further explain herself.
"It's clear we have different ideas about running a household," she acknowledged. "But for me, I will be kind to those who live and work here. And when a child comes to me for comfort, I will give it to her. She wants love, Daniel. It's what we all want."
And what ye cannae give me.
Daniel seemed to read the unspoken statement in her words. Darkness flashed across his face, and in an instant he was on his feet, fuming.
"Enough with thelove! Is it all ye will speak of?" He stormed toward her, and Lana felt compelled to stand up to meet him face to face. They were inches away from each other, but still, he whispered coldly. "Is this why ye are so cold to me? Because I cannae offer ye what ye want?"
Daniel reached around her, and suddenly he shoved the dinner plates clear off the table. Lana heard the dishes shattering as they hit the floor. But instead of anger, desire coursed through her. She couldn't help it when he stood so close to her. It made her think of his mouth on her jaw and his teasing fingers on her breasts.
Lana's breath came faster, and there was a change in his eye. He was thinking the same thing.
His hands found her waist, and with a decisive movement, he lifted her onto the table. She was shocked by how quickly they found themselves there, and shocked by how her legs parted of their own accord and let Daniel slide between them.
