Picking a path that led away from the castle and into a small cluster of trees, Melissa sought the solace of a small pond that lay in the hidden alcove. The surface of the water was black, shimmering in the light of the beautifully bright moon. The surrounding birch trees seemed as if they had purposefully been planted in a semi-circle, hiding the garden from view.
A single stone bench sat beside the water with a cluster of Burnet Roses growing freely to the side on an old log. Picking one of the flowers, she took a seat on the bench and sniffed the delicate fragrance. Insects chirped in the peaceful silence of the night, allowing her to relax and let down her guard.
“Those are me favorite,” Daniel suddenly said as he came to her side. “They remind me of simplicity in life.”
Immediately feeling a prickle of irritation at the way he had snuck up on her, she lowered the tiny white flower to her lap. “I wouldn’t think that the famous rake with all of his rules would have a favorite flower.” She glared at him.
He was dressed in a black coat and cream breeches with brown leather riding boots. “Even wolves take time to stop an’ smell the flowers,” he responded calmly.
Melissa could see that he was trying his best to be civil and not bicker with her, a fact that made her want to annoy him even more. “Now you’re an expert on wolves as well as rules?”
“Exactly what rules do ye think I have?” he barked back. “Yer always accusing me of having rules. Just because I like to live me life in a certain way?”
“I don’t know.” She gave a mock sigh as if she were thinking hard. “Watch where you are going, don’t spill any ale…” she said, mimicking his voice.
He cut her off quickly. “Those arenae rules, lass. Those are all a matter of common decency an’ good sense.”
“All right.” She stood and faced him. “How about ‘don’t start supper until the host has arrived,’ and don’t pretend you haven’t tasked your head maid to keep an eye on while you aren’t around.” She narrowed her eyes at him and tilted her chin defiantly.
“Again,” he began, obviously trying to bite back his irritation. “Waiting for the host is just good manners, an’ I dinnae blame Isla for wanting to keep an eye on ye. I would have done the same thing, although I cannae say that I gave her any instructions regarding ye.” His temper rose slightly as he spoke, returning the irritation that she felt toward him.
“Manners?” Melissa barked back. “Is it good manners for a host to leave his guests waiting?”
The corner of his mouth lifted into a mischievous smile. “Yer nae me guest.” He took a step forward. “Last time I checked, ye were me future bride, nae just a guest.”
“Don’t you dare tease me,” she said hotly, flinging her hair back over her shoulder. “You aren’t as charming as you think.”
“Aren’t I?” he asked with a small laugh, looking down at her as he took yet another step forward until he was right in front of her face.
“No, I can honestly assure you that you aren’t,” she said stubbornly, her heart beating a little faster at their close proximity. She could smell the woody musk of the soap he had used to bathe. The smell was pleasant and attractive to her great dismay.
“I can assure you that there are hundreds of lasses who would beg to differ.” He winked at her, then smirked.
“Do you take pride in being an insufferable rake?” she asked, taken aback and repulsed by his admittance of being a man who proudly professed to never marry.
“Aye, it’s one of those rules ye like talking about,” he said almost huskily as his eyes darkened. “I’m always proud of who I am.”
“Well, I can assure you,” she repeated the word, lending emphasis to her point. “I am not one of those women.” She turned from him, determined to have the last word and leave.
As quick as a flash, Daniel reached out and gently gripped her arm, turning her back to face him again. “Are ye sure, lass?” he asked softly, pulling her body slightly closer to his until they were nearly pressed against one another but not quite touching.
“I…” she stammered for a second, taken off guard by the feelings of heat that emanated from her core, spreading through her body like a wildfire that couldn’t be tamed. “I’m sure,” she managed after swallowing the nerves that suddenly rose in her chest.
“We may just have to do something about that, then.” His voice was barely above a growl as he drew her closer, using the back of his fingers to trace a line over her jaw.
Feeling a strange kind of fluttering in her stomach, she looked into his eyes. The golden flecks in the brown of his irises reflected the moon and beams of light that bounced off the water. She couldn’t help but get lost in the intensity of his gaze.
The moment seemed to linger on for an eternity as he placed his finger beneath her chin, gently tilting her face toward his as his lips drew closer, warming her own as they parted slightly, acting completely of their own accord.
Melissa shut her eyes in anticipation as her chest rose and fell with every breath that she took. Her mind was screaming that she didn’t like him, but her body was keeping her firmly rooted to the spot, responding to his touch with equal amounts of heat. Her skin tingled as he dropped his hand, running his palm over her exposed arm and the small of her back.
“We cannae do this,” he suddenly said, his lips mere inches away from hers.
Her eyes shot open as she looked at him in confusion. “What?”
“Our marriage will be one of convenience only.” He let go of her arm and took a step back. “We can never lie together as husband and wife.” His eyes were clouded with darkness.
It took her a few minutes to break the spell he had cast over her before she came to her senses. “As if I want to have anything more to do with you than what I’m forced to,” she retorted, her breaths still coming in quick succession from the heat that had flowed between their bodies.
