At first, it dinna feel right. Alex had no right to touch her. But something burst inside her, a need she’d long denied. One kiss from Alex awakened it again, extracting it from the depths of her heart. She twisted her fingers in his hair, pulling him close. His scent and taste overwhelmed her senses. Could this be the turning point for them? Could their bodies provide the peace she sought between them?
He broke the kiss. “Ye still want me, lass.”
Damn him to the darkest depths of Hades. She’d like to slap that self-assured grin off his face.
She rejected his claim in the harshest way. “I willna turn down a kiss from a handsome man.”
He offered her a mirthless laugh before he fingered a strand of her hair. “I always loved the color of yer hair, lass. Black as night, the color of sin.”
She slapped his hand away. “Am I a sin, Alex?”
“Ye’re a sinner, that much I know.”
She stood up and brushed the grass from her backside, only too happy to leave him alone. “With yer permission…” She dipped into a curtsey. “I’d like to go inside.”
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes as he straightened. “Do ye know what I do with headstrong women?”
“Alex…”
Keely turned and found Jamie standing a few feet away. The man had saved her from further humiliation.
“I asked ye to leave us alone,” Alex seethed.
“The council,” Jamie said. “They wish to speak to ye,now.”
“Magairlean!” he cursed.
“I am sorry,” Jamie offered.
“I will go, but stay with Keely. She may take the air or return to her chamber.”
“I am glad our conversation is over,” she called after him, unable to resist the chance to needle him once more.
He spun around. “Which part, lass? When ye misconstrued love for lust?”
She could feel her face flush. Why did he have to repeat such intimate details in front of his cousin?
“There is only one thing ye need to know, Keely. At nightfall, ye are to be delivered to the great hall where a marriage ceremony will take place.”
Her heart thundered. “Who is getting married?”
Alex raised his eyebrows. “Do ye need to ask?”
“Tis my right to know if I’m expected to attend.”
Alex eyed Jamie, then looked back at her. “Ye’re the bride, Keely.”
Frustration and confusion collided inside her, and she stumbled as if something heavy had struck her in the chest. The air around her grew thick. When he had threatened her with marriage, she thought it a ruse. “Why?” He couldna do it. “Ye will not force me to wed anyone. I want to go home.”
“Look around ye, lass. Thisishome. Not Dunrobin Castle, and surely not yer sire’s house. Ye’re a MacKay, and by God, ye’ll die one.”
Her body shook uncontrollably, and then her legs gave out. “Nay,” she managed to squeak before everything went black.
Chapter Eleven
Alex caught Keelybefore she hit the ground. He carried her to the rocks and sat down, balancing her on his lap. “Foolish lass,” he said gently, smoothing stray hairs back from her face.
“Why do ye toy with her?” Jamie asked, looking far more concerned about Keely than Alex felt. “Ye dinna tell her the whole truth?”
