Yet, she knew she had to be cautious. She remembered Avery’s question about whether she would be tempted to fall in love with this man. That was, of course, impossible for one very simple reason.
She only liked him because he represented all the adventures that she couldn’t have. That was why she was so mesmerized by him. That was why she was willing to follow him into the unknown.
“Ye ken, I’m wonderin’…” he continued suddenly, just as she thought they had finished their conversation.
“Wondering about what?” she inquired curiously.
“If ye’ve ever partaken in a sprightly Scottish reel. The energy and liveliness might be too much for a lady who prefers tea parties and quiet walks,” he teased her some more.
Keira laughed, feeling her cheeks flush pink again, a permanent reaction to this charming man before her, as it seemed. “Ah, but you underestimate my agility on the dance floor. A Scottish reel is an invitation to showcase one’s spirit.”
“I have to see it to believe it,” he replied with a devilish grin.
In the carriage’s dimming light, thoughts began to wander. Keira found herself contemplating what it would be like to lean in and steal a kiss, to embrace the daring impulse that fluttered in her heart. The swaying of the carriage seemed to echo the gentle dance of her emotions.
As if the universe itself was able to read her mind, the carriage navigated a gentle turn, and a sudden jolt threw Keira off balance. With a gasp, she found herself tumbling into Raphael’s lap, her pulse quickening at the unexpected closeness.
Her cheeks flushed more fervently than ever, laughter dancing in her eyes. His hands wrapped around her waist tightly, keeping her in place.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice a melodious accompaniment to their accidental intimacy.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, remaining in place, even though his hands were placed firmly around her waist, keeping her where she was, refusing to let her move even a single inch.
Her own hands immediately flew to his chest, and that was where they remained while her mind frantically refused to acknowledge the tight strain of his muscles. For some reason, she was unable to move, or she simply refused to admit that she didn’t want to.
“No need for apologies, Keira,” Raphael replied, equally entertained and unwilling to change anything regarding theircurrent position. “It seems that fortune has a penchant for unexpected moments.”
She leaned back slightly, her gaze flitting out the carriage window to the passing scenery, only to return to him once again. “And do you often find yourself caught up in unexpected events, My Laird?”
“Life has a way of surprisin’ ye,” he said, winking at her. “I merely go along with it. Also, be careful with My Lairdin’ me. I might demand of ye to refer to me like that all the time.”
“Might you, now?” she asked with a melodious chuckle.
“Mhm.” He nodded, his eyes darkening. She wanted to get swallowed inside them whole. His hands were still on her waist, her body completely surrendering to his. “Because I ken what ye are thinkin’. I ken, because it is what I’m thinkin’, too.”
“And what is it I am thinking of… My Laird?” she asked in the same manner again, hoping to provoke the same desire, but just as his lips neared hers, dangerously close, the carriage came to a halt.
He lifted a brow at her but didn’t move away. “It seems we have arrived,” he whispered against her lips.
Disappointed and excited at the same time, Keira’s breath caught in her throat as she gazed out at Raphael’s castle. It stood proudly amidst the rolling hills, a structure of stone andhistory, seeming to merge seamlessly with the natural beauty surrounding it. Towers reached for the heavens, and turrets adorned the fortress like crown jewels, standing tall against the sky.
The castle seemed to have been kissed by the hands of time, bearing the marks of history within its stones. Ivy clung to the walls, weaving a tale of ages past, while the play of sunlight created an ethereal glow that made the entire scene seem like a painting brought to life.
Keira felt a sense of awe wash over her, the grandeur of the castle leaving her momentarily speechless. It was as if she had stepped into a storybook where knights and ladies once roamed the halls, and the air carried whispers of ancient tales.
“Breathtakin’, isnae it?” Raphael asked, his hot breath spilling right on her ear, down her neck, sending a million little goosebumps up and down her body.
She turned to him, her eyes wide with wonder, her heart filled with a mix of reverence and enchantment. “It’s… magnificent. Every stone seems to hold a story, and the very walls breathe history.”
The castle seemed to beckon to her, inviting her to step into its embrace, to become a part of its ongoing story. Keira knew that this was the beginning of a new chapter in her adventure, one that would be filled with discoveries, both about the castle and the man who called it home.
He nodded, a gentle smile on his lips, appreciating her awe. “It has stood through centuries, witnessing countless stories and generations. Welcome to yer home for the next two weeks, Keira.”
8
As they stepped into the grand foyer of the castle, Raphael led Keira through the opulent halls adorned with tapestries and intricate woodwork.
The air was infused with a sense of history and the comforting scent of aged wood. He could tell that she was as apprehensive as she was excited to be there, and this made his own excitement more fervent.
