Sorcha followed his steps, her body moving freely with the music. Perhaps too freely. Her hips rolled slowly, in a way that made the silk of her gown cling to every exquisite curve.
William watched her, his focus unwavering. Then, suddenly, her gaze met his. Even as she danced with another man, her attention belonged to him alone. Something about that struck himhard.
But then she broke their stare, and everything worsened.
She gave herself fully to the dance. She laughed at something Keegan murmured, looking all graceful and irresistible.
William’s eyes narrowed as hot jealousy flooded his veins. No one should touch her like that. Not Keegan. Not anyone. Not even his goddamn uncle, if the bastard still drew breath.
His jaw clenched even harder as he watched Keegan lean down to whisper something in her ear. The cad must have said something intimate, because Sorcha went still for a heartbeat before nodding slowly.
The dance ended, and almost immediately, Keegan guided her away from the floor and toward the exit.
William unfolded his arms, instinct overriding his reason.
That’s enough.
Without allowing himself another moment to think, he followed them.
12
Sorcha was no longer certain where Keegan was taking her.
At first, she had not cared. When he had leaned close and asked if they could go somewhere private, she had not given it much thought.
All she wanted at that moment was distance. Distance from William’s unbearable gaze. Distance from his pull.
His indifference affected her harder than anger ever could. And if she were being honest with herself, she wanted to provoke him.
She wanted him to see her with another man and feel something ugly twist in his chest. Regret. Perhaps jealousy. Anything that would prove she meant more to him than a problem to be solved. But now that she was crossing the dim corridor, she did not want it anymore.
However, Keegan kept walking.
Sorcha slowed her steps as unease crept in. She glanced sideways at him.
Too old,her inner voice whispered.
And something about him made the back of her neck prickle. She no longer wanted to be alone with him.
The corridor led them to the gallery. When the door shut behind them, she swallowed hard.
She racked her brain for an excuse. Any excuse, really.
I’ve forgotten something.
I feel faint.
I need to feed a bairn.
God, she was terrible at this.
She decided to go with the first excuse. But right as she opened her mouth, the door slammed open. She jumped, and her breath caught in her throat.
Keegan turned his head, irritation flashing across his face as his gaze landed on the doorway.
“Why daenae ye return to the party?” a low voice said. “I’d like a word with Lady Dunrath.”
Her heart stuttered.
