He let a sardonic smile curve his lips, and Leona’s traitorous body responded to it. Heat pooled low in her belly, unbidden and unwanted.
“I’ll be too heartbroken that ye left me,” he added, clearly mocking.
“Ye’re mockin' me,” Leona accused, moving closer now. Her own temper was rising to meet his, pushing her body’s reaction. “Ye think this is all a jest.”
“I daenae need to mock ye, lass. Ye’re doin' a fine job of makin' this difficult all on yer own.”
“Ye seemed nicer when ye were bleedin' in the dungeons,” Leona shot back.
“Ye seemed like less trouble when ye were beggin' me to take ye with me.”
They were breathing hard now, faces inches apart, neither willing to back down.
Leona could feel her pulse racing, could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Her hands had curled into fists at her sides, nails biting into her palms. The air between them crackled with something electric, something that felt like anger but burned hotter.
Murdock’s gaze dropped to her mouth, and Leona felt it like a physical touch. Her lips tingled, parting slightly as she struggled to catch her breath. She watched his pupils dilate, saw the way his jaw clenched.
Was he feeling this, too? This maddening awareness that made her skin feel too tight, that made her want to either slap him or…
Or what?
Her tongue darted out to wet her suddenly dry lips, a nervous gesture. Murdock’s eyes tracked the movement, and something dark and heated flashed in their depths.
Leona’s stomach clenched, her body responding in ways she didn’t understand. Ways that had nothing to do with anger and everything to do with the way he was looking at her.
Like he wanted todevourher.
The thought should have frightened her. Instead, it made liquid heat pool between her thighs, made her breath come faster. What was wrong with her?
“See, I told ye they are gettin' married. That’s why they are so close.”
The childish voice shattered the moment.
Both of them sprang apart, and Leona felt the loss of his proximity like a physical ache. She turned to find Skye standing a few feet away with Nyx in her arms, grinning at them.
Behind her, partially hidden by the garden wall, were three of the councilmen. Their expressions were knowing, amused, and definitely approving. Leona wanted to sink into the ground.
“We were leavin', me Laird,” Fraser said, though his knowing smile suggested he’d seen exactly what he hoped to see. Two people who couldn’t keep their hands off each other, even when arguing. “But we’ve informed yer man-at-arms about the upcomin' festival to celebrate yer union. He’ll coordinate with the village. We thought a week hence would be sufficient for preparations.”
“Festival?” Leona’s voice came out strangled, higher than she had intended. Her face burned with embarrassment.
“Aye, me Lady. It’s tradition when a laird takes a wife. The whole clan celebrates, renews their loyalty.” Fraser’s tone was respectful, but there was a question beneath it. A test. “Surely ye had the same at yer own clan?”
Leona forced herself to breathe, to think. She’d been trained for this, hadn’t she? Years of her father teaching her how to navigate clan politics, how to present a proper facade, no matter what chaos swirled beneath the surface.
She straightened her spine, lifted her chin, and smiled. “Of course. I’d be honored to meet the people of Clan Ainsley properly.”
“We’ll see ye then, me Lady, me Laird.”
The councilmen bowed and departed, their voices carrying back through the garden as they discussed wedding preparations with too much enthusiasm.
Skye remained, looking immensely pleased with herself. Nyx had climbed onto her shoulder, surveying the scene with those unsettling yellow eyes.
Murdock ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. The gesture made his tunic pull across his broad chest, and Leona’s eyes tracked the movement before she could stop herself.
What was it about this man that made her so… aware?
“We’ll discuss this further,” Murdock said finally, his voice rough. “But for now…” He paused, and Leona watched his throat work as he swallowed. “For now, I expect ye and yer brother to join me for dinner. Both of ye. We’ll need to set our story straight if we’re going to make this convincin'.”
