Elijah had kissed her.Had touched her. Had called her beautiful.
Why hadshe been so scared that she had to stop him?
Piper lay backon the bed, staring at the ceiling, and tried to make sense of any of it.
She couldn’t.
All she knew wasthat everything had changed in the space of a few minutes. And tomorrow, when she had to face Elijah Quinn across the breakfast table, she had no idea what she was going to do.
Or how shewas going to survive working in the same castle as a man who could make her forget every promise she’d made to herself with just one kiss.
What haveI gotten meself into?
10
“Good mornin’, dear! I hope ye slept well?”
Piper jerkedawake at the cheerful voice, her heart racing. For a disorienting moment, she didn’t know where she was—the bed was too soft, the room too bright, and someone was knocking on her door with far too much enthusiasm for whatever ungodly hour it was.
Then memory crashedover her like a wave.
Castle McMahon.The governess position. Masie climbing through the window. And the Laird?—
Oh God.The Laird.
Piper’s handflew to her lips, which still felt swollen from his kiss. Heat flooded her face as she remembered the way he’d touched her. The way she’dlethim touch her. The way she’dwanted him to keep going, even when she knew she should stop him.
And then heran away as if I were diseased.
The knock came again,more insistent this time. “Piper? Are ye awake, lass?”
Amara.It was Amara’s voice.
“Aye!”Piper called out, scrambling out of bed. “Just… just give me a moment!”
She looked downat herself and flushed even hotter. She was still wearing the thin nightgown, the same one the Laird had seen her in last night. The same one that had apparently driven him to kiss her senseless before fleeing like his life depended on it.
Piper grabbedthe robe draped over the chair—thick wool, thankfully, far less revealing than the nightgown—and wrapped it around herself before hurrying to the door.
Amara stood in the corridor,already dressed in a beautiful gown of deep green. Her silver hair was elegantly styled, and her warm brown eyes sparkled with what looked suspiciously like mischief.
“There ye are! I was beginnin’to worry ye’d sleep the whole day away.” Amara swept into the room without waiting for aninvitation, her gaze taking in everything with sharp efficiency. “How did ye sleep? Were the chambers comfortable? I had the maids put extra blankets on the bed in case ye got cold, but if ye need more, just say the word.”
“I…The chambers are lovely, thank ye.” Piper’s voice came out hoarse. She cleared her throat. “I slept… fine.”
That was a lie.She’d barely slept at all. Had spent most of the night replaying those few minutes with the Laird over and over, trying to understand what had happened. Trying to figure out why he’d kissed her. Why he’d stopped. Why he’d looked at her with suchwantbefore running away.
“Good, good.”Amara moved to the wardrobe and began pulling out dresses. “Now, we need to get ye ready for breakfast. The whole household eats together in the great hall; it’s one of Elijah’s rules, has been since he became Laird. He believes a clan that eats together stays strong together, or some such nonsense. Personally, I think he just likes to ken where everyone is.”
Piper watchedas Amara laid out several dresses on the bed. They were all beautiful, far nicer than anything she’d ever owned. But they were also clearly made for someone smaller. Someone thinner.
“I daenae thinkthose will fit me,” Piper said quietly.
“Nonsense. We’ll make them fit.”Amara held up a dress in soft blue wool. “This one should work. It has laces at the back so that we can adjust it. And if it’s still nae quite right, well, theseamstress will be here in a few days to make ye some proper gowns.”
“Ye really daenae have to.”
“I absolutely do have to.”Amara turned to face her, and her expression had softened. “Now come, let’s get ye dressed. Breakfast will be served soon, and ye’ll want to meet the children properly before ye start yer lessons.”
