“Did I say something to offend ye?” Ethan asked quickly. “I only meant that for married women. It’s perfectly reasonable for an unwed young lass to dance at a Ceilidh.” He shot Melissa a dashing smile that made her stomach churn. “How else are they supposed to find a good man?”
“Through conversation perhaps?” she felt her frustrations growing at the arrogant way he spoke of women.
Ethan let out a derogatory laugh that made those around them turn their heads and stare.
Melissa quickly smiled at the people to let them know that nothing was being said that she didn’t approve of. The last thing she needed was for her mother to hear that she’d caused a scene with her latest candidate.
Daniel Forrester smirked at her from across the room and raised a mug in salute, to her great annoyance, as if he were enjoying the fact that she found herself in less than pleasing company at present. He’d often teased her about her mother’s eagerness to marry her off and had undoubtedly seen the scowl on her face.
“An’ what would women possibly have to say that would gain a man’s interest?” Ethan asked with one eyebrow raised when he’d eventually stopped laughing.
“I don’t know,” Melissa replied with a biting tone in her voice. “Perhaps one could talk of the weather or books?” She raised her eyebrow in a challenge to match the infuriating arrogance he was exuding. “Or perhaps even the latest hunt?”
“I can see that yer maither has trained ye well in the art of conversation.” He nodded his approval. “Yer feistiness will have to be tamed ‘afore we marry, but ye will make a fine choice for a wife.”
Her jaw fell open as she stared at the man who calmly assumed she would even consider him for a future spouse. “I beg your pardon, Sir,” she said as sweetly as she could, mustering all her strength not to slap him across the face. “I think you may be laboring under a false assumption.”
“Oh?” He gave her a look of genuine confusion.
“My mother may have given you the impression that I am available for marriage, and while that statement is true, it will still be up to me whom I choose to marry.” She narrowed her eyes and glared at him. “Furthermore,” she added as he was about to speak. “I would brush up on my conversational skills if I were looking for a wife amongst the English. I’m not sure how things are done here in Scotland, but I can assure you that Englishwomen do not like to be spoken down to by men seeking a wife.”
Ethan McGregor seemed shocked as she turned to leave without giving him the chance to reply.
Lifting the hem of her dress, Melissa politely pushed her way through the throng of guests, making her way to the back of the room, where a giant wooden door led to the privacy of a courtyard.
Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on her hips and surveyed the empty area to ensure that she was finally alone.
The flagstone yard with its pots of heather and open ceiling presented her with the much-needed privacy and fresh air. The early summer air was cool enough to enjoy without being too cold or overly hot.
Walking over to a wooden bench, she tucked her dress beneath her legs before taking a seat. The music from the Ceilidh was pouring from the main hall, mingling with the voices of the guests who were having more than a merry old time.
Melissa sighed again as she thought of her mother and the throng ofsuitablematches she kept shoving in her face. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry, she rather liked the idea of romance and passion. It was only that the ordeal with her father two years prior had left her with a fear of trusting men, especially those who made it clear that their intention was to marry asuitablelady.
Her thoughts were quickly drawn back to the present when the sound of doors being closed made her look up.
Ethan McGregor came walking into the middle of the courtyard with a dark look on his face, looking around in a manner that suggested he was looking for someone.
She hurriedly stood and turned to face him when she realized that they were completely alone in a dark corner of the yard.
“I thought I saw ye coming this way,” he said, all traces of gentleness gone from his face.
“I don’t think you should be out here,” she politely said. “If you do not mind, I wish to be alone.”
His eyes darkened as a nasty grin spread across his face, transforming his handsome features into something entirely unpleasant. “I dinnae think we will be disturbed, lass.” His grin broadened until nearly all of his teeth were visible.
Taking a step back, Melissa looked for an escape, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end at the borderline evil way the man was looking at her as if she were a piece of meat.
“I think I may have made a mistake in thinking yer marriage material, lass.” He advanced on her while licking his lips in a hungry manner. “But I guess ye can always be good for something else.”
“I don’t understand.” She felt her heels hit a wall as she tried to back away from him. “I really think you should be going inside now,” she said as her heart began to race with panic, causing her palms to sweat.
Ethan once again let out a laugh that made her stomach churn. “I think ye shouldnae have so many opinions on everything, lass.” He suddenly lunged at her.
Melissa screamed and tried to dodge his advances, but his fingers caught her bodice, ripping the fabric in two. Gripping her bodice with one hand, she swung at him in defense.
Quickly stepping aside, he dodged her attack and pinned her against the wall with one hand holding her arm above her head.
She tried to scream again, but he quickly placed his hand over her mouth, nearly cutting off her air in the process.
