Everything around her, even her wits, faded as he pressed his mouth to hers. Whatever she’d expected to feel was not what she did. The rough material covering most of his face did not stop his mouth from touching hers, even as it rubbed against her cheek. The lips that touched hers were strong and smooth and undamaged. Worse, or better, she did not mind the kiss.
That made her pull free and step away. She scrambled back so quickly that she stumbled and fell. Before she touched the floor, his hands encircled her waist and he lifted her up. Held there, her back to his front, Ailis could not help but compare him to the last, and only, man who had kissed her and touched her body.
Lachlan.
Pain pierced her heart as it always did at the thought of him and Ailis shrugged off this man’s hold. This time, she took two measured steps back from him. He’d not spoken a word, not about her accepting the blame for this debacle or the kiss he’d pressed on her.
“I fear I should beg yer pardon for that,” he whispered. “But, I canna.” His hand moved towards that mask again, but he dropped it to his side before he touched it. “Will ye explain how ye are to blame for this … situation in which we find ourselves?”
Any words she might have spoken wouldn’t come out. The kiss sent her thoughts and memories flailing. He nodded then.
“This is happening quickly and ye have no reason to trust me.” She could almost hear a smile in his voice. “I dinna remember much about myself, but I willna harm ye.” He reached out, crossing the distance between them, and caressed her cheek with the back of his gloved hand.
Whatever she’d planned to ask or say was halted when the door to the chamber swung open and her father stood there.
“A chamber is readied for ye,” The MacKinnon announced.
Ailis jumped back as though burned by his glove. That was Iain’s first thought but he realized she was reacting to her father’s arrival. He was too familiar with the reaction most people had to his appearance. His hood and mask caused fear in many. The reaction would be much worse if they saw him without it.
“Have ye eaten supper?” Ailis asked him. Her gaze fell to his mouth. From the blush that rose into her pale cheeks, he suspected she was thinking on that kiss. Thoughts of that kiss led to more of the vision he’d seen of her naked before him.
“Nay, I havena,” he finally remembered to say.
“Come, I will take you to the kitchen for … ” she began.
“Nay.”
From the way they both startled, Iain realized his tone had been too forceful. “Yer pardon,” he said, nodding to each one. “I find it better to eat alone.” From the way their eyes darted from his gloves to his hood and then to his mask, they were trying to figure out his injuries. “Just so.”
“Here now,” Lord MacKinnon said. “The maid will take ye to yer chamber and send for food.”
“My thanks for yer hospitality, my lord.”
He had not included being gifted with the man’s daughter, but the thought made Iain want to laugh. His throat tightened, making laughter impossible.
The lady stepped away and watched him leave to follow the servant. She averted those lovely blue eyes as he walked to the doorway.
“My lady.” He waited for her to raise her gaze to him. When she did not, he nodded and moved on to the corridor, behind the girl waiting next to the laird.
The young servant glanced nervously over her shoulder as he walked behind her. By the time they reached the stairway, her pace quickened and he couldn’t keep up. The day had been long, he was hungry and he ached. He turned into the stairwell and found her several steps up waiting for him. Soon, they stood before a chamber. She lifted the latch to open it.
“Yer name, girl?”
“Agneis, my … sir,” she said with a curtsy.
“My thanks, Agneis,” he said as he entered the chamber. “Will the food take long?”
“Nay, sir, I will fetch it quickly.” She curtsied before darting away.
Iain glanced around and saw a small but clean bedchamber. A fire burned in the hearth, bringing warmth to the room. He left the door ajar so the servant bringing food could enter. Iain tugged the wet plaid from his shoulders and tossed it over one of the chairs near the fire so it would dry. Feeling exhaustion overtaking him, Iain slumped into another chair to wait for food.
If not for his stomach rumbling, he’d have fallen onto the bed and given in to the growing fatigue. Lord MacKinnon’s servants were quick. Only minutes later, he heard heavy footsteps climbing the stairs. A burly lad carried a tray laden with bowls, plates and a large pitcher.
Iain stood while the lad placed the tray on the table. Fragrant aromas surrounded him and his stomach answered. The lad laughed and lowered his head in a polite nod before leaving.
Not long after the stew, bread, cheese and a fair amount of the strong ale filled his stomach, Iain felt himself drifting to sleep. Without enough strength to walk the four or five paces across to the bed, he tugged the mask free of his head and laid it on the table. Leaning his head on his arms, he fell asleep.
Iain didn’t know how much later, but he woke with the knowledge that someone else was in the chamber. The soft scent of a woman revealed the intruder’s gender and he guessed it was Ailis. If she’d wanted him to know she was there, she would have knocked so she must want to catch him unaware. Now that his hood rested on his neck, the candle’s light on the table would reveal his appearance if she walked to his side. Was that her intent?
