Relief flooded through her as she realized he spoke of Malcolm’s fishing trip rather than her cousin. “I am not upset by it. Your man explained the safeguards and the supervision and I think it a fine plan,” she said.
When she took a moment to think on it, Sebastien had surprised her yet again. Believing her upset by the thought of Malcolm on the water, he’d sought her out to comfort and reassure her. Even as she had been plotting against him, he was caring for her. Her sin was glaringly clear and she almost decided then not to go the chapel as Eachann had ordered.
Almost.
Her father had sent word to her. She’d heard nothing about him from anyone since the day he’d been exiled. If he was sending word to her, she should at least go and find out what that message was. She noticed Sebastien was staring at her then.
“I have hesitated to offer it, but I could teach you to swim as well so you would not fear the water.”
She must have shaken her head without realizing it.
“Mayhap when the water grows warmer again?”
“I will have to think on your offer, my lord. It simply does not have any appeal to me.”
He stepped closer and she smelled the scent of him—an enticing mix of leather and male. Taking her hand in his, he pulled her to him and kissed her. She relaxed into him and slid her hands to his back as he plundered her mouth. The kiss went on and became something more as he moved his hand up to the back of her head. Tugging off the netting over her hair, he loosened her braid and entangled his fingers in her locks.
Sebastien moved his lips down to her neck and loosened the neckline of her tunic as much as he could without untying the laces. She knew he would use his mouth to drive her wild. Then just when her body tensed, waiting for it, he stopped and drew back instead, touching a spot on the slope of her breast with the tip of his finger.
“I did that?” he asked, drawing her attention to the purplish bruise on the skin there.
“And who else could have?” she countered.
“I did not know. Why did you not tell me that I was hurting you?”
“It did not hurt, my lord. My mind, I fear, was somewhat distracted by other things you were doing to notice this…” Lara paused, not knowing what to call the mark left behind by the intense action of his mouth and teeth.
“Love bite.” He provided the answer, but frowned as he said it. “Although the sight of your skin marred in such a way makes me regret my actions, I confess that the thought of kissing you like that makes me want you now even more.”
The proof of his words could be felt even through the layers of her chemise, gown and tunic. Although her body began to warm to his words, she could not forget about Eachann and his threat. Before she needed to make any objection, voices carried into the chamber from the stairway.
“Hugh! Hugh, stop!” Margaret’s whispered warning was not subtle or quiet.
“He has been in there long enough, Margaret.” Hugh sounded exasperated. “He is needed in the yard. Now.”
More movements on the stairs accompanied hushing sounds.
“They might be… He might be… I will not go any farther!” Her maid sounded embarrassed and Sebastien began laughing.
“Then move aside, lass, for I will.” Some grunts were followed by more sounds of movement, then footsteps on the stairs.
Sebastien took Lara by the hand and led her out into the other chamber. They stood waiting for Sir Hugh to make it up the stairs in spite of Margaret’s best efforts not to allow him to. He reached the landing first, followed by the more hesitant maid.
“See? As I said, they are not naked again.”
Margaret covered her mouth at Sir Hugh’s rude words, but Sebastien only laughed. “A few more moments of privacy and who knows what could have happened,” he said, causing Margaret’s blush to deepen and spread over her cheeks.
“Your pardon, my lady,” Sir Hugh began, without acknowledging Sebastien’s words at all. “We have need of your husband in the yard.”
“Well, my love,” he said, lifting her hand to his mouth and kissing it, “I must see to this need below. I will find you at supper?”
“Yes.” She clutched at his hand. “May I walk to the chapel before then?”
He waved Sir Hugh and Margaret away and leaned in closer to her. “If it is necessary.”
“Necessary?” she asked, as part of her hoped against hope that he would refuse her permission. If he ordered her to stay within the walls, she had a reason, albeit an excuse, to not answer Eachann’s call. Lara waited and prayed silently that Sebastien would stop her from doing something that might hurt him, and herself.
“You always seem more agitated upon your return from your prayers. I cannot see what peace you gain from such visits.”
