Devils! What have I done?
11
“Have I done something wrong?” Talia asked, dropping her hands to her sides. “Have I displeased ye?”
She couldn’t believe that just a few minutes ago, he had been pressed so tightly against her and kissing her with such passion. Her lips tingled again, and her hand rose to touch them.
Had he really kissed her?
And had she… enjoyed it?
Memories of his hands in her hair, on her body, touching her in places that made liquid heat pool in her core, flooded her mind, unbidden.
Devils!
How could he have kissed her when he was responsible for finding her a husband?
She looked at him again, but he was still looking away from her, his hands fisted at his sides.
“Me Laird?—”
“Leave,” he grunted.
“Pardon me?”
“I said, leave now,” he said. “Return to yer chambers at once.”
He turned back to her, eyes cold as he regarded her, and she wondered where the man who had teased her just moments ago had disappeared to.
“I daenae understand,” she spluttered. “Why are ye so angry? Have I done something wrong?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw, his expression growing even colder.
“Why is it so hard for ye to do what ye’re told?” he growled.
“I obey only when the commands make sense,” she answered, furrowing her brow.
She didn’t know why, but her heart clenched at the coldness with which he was treating her. It was not as though she expected or wanted him to declare his undying love for her, but surely he shouldn’t be so hard on her after…that.
“Me commands daenae have to make sense to ye,” he spat. “I am yer Laird, and I am responsible for ye, so ye must do as I say.”
“Why are ye being like this?” she asked, unable to keep the grief from her voice. “I thought…” She swallowed. “I had thought ye had changed because?—”
“Ye assumed wrong,” he interrupted. “I havenae forgotten me place, and I implore ye to do the same. This lapse in judgment shouldnae delude ye into thinkin’ that our roles have somewhat changed. Now, leave so I may resume me work.”
Talia gasped, tears filling his eyes at his indifference. Her anger flared at being punished for a mistake she hadn’t made. He was the one who had a lapse in judgment, not her. Yes, she should have pushed him away, but…
It still did not mean she had to suffer for what he had done. It was too great an injustice, and she wouldn’t stand for it.
“Ye cannae order me to leave like a child,” she hissed. “We have to talk about?—”
“I have nothing to talk with ye about, Talia,” he growled. “Leave now.”
“But—”
He made an exasperated sound and lunged towards her so quickly that she stumbled backwards. His hands reached out to steady her, but he stopped short of touching her, balling his fists.
“Why do ye insist on being so stubborn, Talia?” he forced out, as if the words pained him. “I’m tryin’ to save us both the embarrassment, so leave, or I will.”
