It took him a moment to realize that the music had stopped and that his sisters were cheering. Hell, he’d forgotten they weren’t alone. Releasing her, he took a step back, breathing heavily from the exertion of the dance. And from something else.
“That was wonderful, brother,” Gilly said. “Why have you never told us you knew these dances?”
He turned to his sister and shrugged. “There’s not much opportunity for court dances in the Highlands.”
“No, there’s not,” Flora argued, “which is why—”
He didn’t let her finish, anticipating what she might say. “I need to speak with Mistress MacLeod,” he said to the others. “In private.”
“But…” Flora stopped her protest when she saw how quickly they moved to do his bidding.
When the door clicked shut, she swung back around on him with her hands on her hips. “We weren’t done. Do you know how hard it was for me to find someone willing to help?”
“I can imagine,” he said dryly, knowing his men.
She sighed and then shot him a curious glance. “So youhavespent some time at court.”
He shrugged. “Long enough to learn a few dances.”
Her gaze turned probing. “What else are you hiding?”
He stiffened. Inadvertently, she’d hit precariously close to the truth. He steered her away with a jest. “Not a gold silk peascod and slops, I assure you.”
Her mouth twitched. “Somehow I can’t quite picture you in anything but Highland garb. Though I’m sure you would look magnificent in anything—”
She stopped, her cheeks flaming with color.
He warmed, not at the compliment, but at the underlying sentiment—and at what it had revealed. Aye, she was softening. And it made him happy for more reasons than it should.
Trying to cover up her mistake, she turned, intending to replace the chairs she’d moved for the dancing.
“Don’t.” He took her by the arm. “I’ll have some of my men see to it.”
She stared at his hand wrapped around her arm as if he’d branded her. “Was there something you wanted?” she asked tightly.
Yes, damn it. You.
But that wasn’t why he’d come. Hell, he’d almost forgotten. He dropped her arm. “I’ve been informed of some disturbing threats being issued against some of my men. Threats that have my men very angry and tired. And when my men are angry and tired, it becomes my problem.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said, trying to flounce away.
But he took hold of her again, stopping her. “I think you know exactly what I’m talking about.” He brought her a little closer, took her chin in his hand, and forced her to look at him. “Do you deny giving instructions on private matters, such as the sleeping arrangements of a man and his wife?”
She shrugged indifferently. “I don’t recall.”
He didn’t buy her innocent act for one moment. It sounded exactly like something she would do. He’d heard an earful from his men about her interference all morning. She’d damn well better explain herself.
He brought her closer still, his anger overriding his good sense. She wasn’t as blithe as she seemed; he could see the nervous pulse in her neck—right below her tiny soft ear. If he put his mouth…God, he wanted to make her come apart in his arms.
“You encouraged the women to ban the men from their beds?”
A telltale blush stained her cheeks. “I did no such thing.”
Minx.Why must she always challenge him? “Let me refresh your memory. Do you recall discussing my men’s bathing habits?”
She lifted her chin defiantly. Always so damn defiant.
The air between them felt suddenly charged. Every inch of his body was primed to take her in his arms and bring her to submission. To bring her to him. He’d had enough. He hadn’t planned on this, but his patience had just run out. He wouldn’t force her, but then again he wouldn’t need to.
