He leaned closer to her, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair. His body shook with restraint, and his erection throbbed hard against his stomach. Every instinct clamored to take her. To kiss the taunt from her lips, to sink his fingers through the long silk of her hair and devour her until she yielded to him. “Do not play with me, Flora. I’m not one of your pet courtiers. Poke me and I’ll bite.”
He saw the glint of satisfaction in her eyes. As if she’d wanted him to lose control. She’d thought she was safe from him. God, he ached to prove her wrong.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I was only trying to be helpful. Didn’t you say that I should keep myself busy?”
“I know exactly what you are trying to do. Simply because I chose to tolerate your mischief doesn’t mean I don’t know why you’re doing it. But mark this: If I decide to have you, a little salt or a few flowers would not stop me from doing so.”
She sucked in her breath, her spine rigid. “Your threats do not worry me. If you want your castle back, you will not lay a hand on me.”
“I never make threats, my sweet. Only promises. You will obey me.”
“You’re a tyrant.”
“No, I’m chief. And while you are in this keep you will follow my rules. No more of your tricks, Flora. And do not think to involve my sisters again in your wee games.”
“Your sisters are bored. It was time they had some fun. This is no place for young women. Gilly should be getting some schooling, and Mary should be at court. They should be dancing, meeting others of their own age, wearing beautiful gowns.”
He stiffened, hearing the judgment in her voice. She didn’t know when to stop. “When I want your advice, I’ll ask for it. I would not see my sisters corrupted or turned into spoiled courtiers. They belong here, with me.”
He was furious both that he was defending himself to her and that she’d spoken aloud thoughts he didn’t want to acknowledge. His sisters did deserve more.
He stepped back and raked a hand through his hair. How did she manage to do this? He’d come to find her with the best intentions of wooing her, yet here he was arguing with her. But he wasn’t used to being disobeyed, and Flora was a beguiling termagant who defied him at every turn. Aye, and who confoundingly challenged and intrigued him in a way no woman ever had before.
“Is that what you think?” she asked. “That court is corrupting? How would you know? I’ve never seen you there.”
“Like every other Highland chief, I travel to Edinburgh yearly to present myself at court and account for my ‘good behavior.’” Leaving as soon as he could.
“In your case, it doesn’t seem to have worked,” she said dryly.
He chuckled. She froze, staring at him as if he’d just parted the Red Sea. Their eyes locked, and he felt a strange jolt—a charged connection.
He knew by the way she held his gaze that she felt it, too, but not wanting to acknowledge it, she shifted her gaze, started to fumble nervously with the leather gloves she wore to protect her hands, and finally removed them. “Did you want something?” she asked. “Has my brother responded?”
“He has not. But after you have cleaned up this mess, you will dine with me tonight.”
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why?”
He fought to contain his irritation. “I thought you might enjoy some company.”
“No. I’m quite happy taking my meals in my room.”
He bit back the angry retort. With what she’d done to his swords, he was in no mood for her defiance, but he had a job to do. He’d never had to woo a woman before—women came to him. And wooing this one was like extracting a tooth. “I’ve arranged for some entertainment.”
She crossed her arms, digging in. “I don’t wish to dine with you. The circumstances of my being here hardly make for friendly conversation.”
Her mulish expression did it, sending his good intentions right out the window. He took a step closer. She stood tall before him, not giving an inch. He had to admire her fortitude, given that the top of her head barely reached his shoulders and he was at least twice her weight.
He lowered his voice. “It wasn’t a request.”
“You can’t force me.”
“The hell I can’t.”
He could see the rigid, uncompromising set of her chin and recognized that he’d made a mistake. Flora didn’t like to be ordered or forced to do anything. It might be the wrong approach, but right now he didn’t care. He was a man used to giving orders and to being obeyed. They might be destined to clash. But he would win.
“You are a brute. A gentleman—”
That was it. He snapped. He’d heard enough of her opinions on Highlanders. Before she could get out the offending words, he pulled her into his arms. His body reacted with swift force, stirring hard against her. He savored the erotic sensations coursing through him as he looked deep into her eyes. Eyes that widened apprehensively as his arousal pressed firmly against her.
