“Where are ye taking me?” she demanded.
“To my chamber,” he answered, barely sparing her a glance.
His voice echoed off the walls around them, and she was suddenly distinctly aware of the pressure of the flowers woven into her hair. She rushed to catch up with him as he took off once more, closing the distance that stood between them as she continued to remonstrate with him.
“I was in the middle of a dance!” she protested. “With yer cousin, no less! Ye cannae just?—”
They rounded the corner to his chambers, and she suddenly found herself against the wall. Camron was pinning her between his body and the cold stone. She was not sure which was more unyielding. The breath fled her lungs instantly. Though he was not so much as laying a hand on her, she could feel the twisting desire building in her once more, the memory of his lips on hers enough to silence her protestations.
He moved a little closer, like an animal inspecting its prey. She did her best to meet his gaze, but it felt like it was piercing straight through her—under her plans to make herself so unappealing to him and through to the part of her that could not disguise what she truly felt for him.
Her heart thudded beneath the confines of her virginal dress. How much longer would she stay that way? There were just a few inches between their faces, and if he kissed her like he had in the chapel, she would be helpless to resist, and she knew it.The question, of course, was whetherheknew it and whether he would take advantage of her weakness. She had little clue, but she knew she wanted to find out. Her hands trembled at her sides, almost able to feel the weight of his body beneath her, on top of her, around her…
He lifted his rough hand to her cheek, dragging it along her skin. Inadvertently, she closed her eyes and swallowed hard, trying not to let him see her reaction, but she could feel the goosebumps bursting across her skin under his touch, as impossible to deny as the air between them.
“Do you want more, lass?” he asked, as he continued to drag his finger along her skin, moving down, lightly, the barest touch, as infuriating as it was thrilling.
She opened her eyes once more and tore her gaze away from him, her cheeks flaming red. “Nay,” she protested, and his finger stopped at once. She let out a slight gasp at the sudden restraint, and he chuckled.
“I’m no’ sure I believe you, lass,” he murmured. “But I’ll take you at yer word.”
With that, he stepped back from her. She flexed her hands, fighting the urge to grab him and pull him back. But she knew he would only lord it over her, use it as proof that she wanted him, despite what she said, and she could not allow him that satisfaction.
From the way he looked at her, it was clear that he enjoyed this. Enjoyed seeing her squirm with want despite denying it.
And then, just as quickly as he had dragged her from the main hall, he pulled back. He drew in a long breath and ran a hand through his hair.
“Get some rest while ye can,” he ordered her. “Ye’ll soon need yer strength.”
With that, he turned away, back towards the feast. For a moment she thought of going after him, but she knew in herheart of hearts that he would just turn her around and force her back here. He might not intend to take her tonight, but that did not mean he was in any rush to see her dance the night away with someone else. No, he wanted to keep her for himself, under lock and key, if that’s what it came to, she was sure.
She slumped back against the wall and closed her eyes, tipping her head back against the cool stone and trying to bring herself back down to earth. More than anything, she loathed herself for still wanting him, still wishing that he would turn on his heel and come back.
How was she to keep up the act if he could have such an effect on her with a single touch? She had little idea, but she supposed she had the rest of the night to find out.
Slipping into her new chambers, she glanced around, taking in the darkened red on the walls and the glossy stone at her feet. The party beyond may have just been beginning, but all she could think of was how much she wanted to divest herself of her party clothes and rest.
Because if what he said was true and she truly needed all she could get, she did not intend to waste a chance for some peace and quiet. Something told her, after all, that peace was going to be very hard to come by now that she was his wife.
And he would go out of his way to make sure of it.
Chapter Six
When Isla wokethe next day, it was to the knowledge that she had succumbed to the brute who had insisted on taking her as his wife. However, since she was now officially the Lady of this Keep, she had more power here than she’d ever laid claim to before.
And she intended to make the very most of it she could.
She swung her legs out of bed, glancing this way and that to see if there was any sign that her new husband had come by their chambers during the night, but she couldn’t find a single sign that he had. Which, she supposed, was a good thing. Better for him to keep his distance so she’d not have to be faced with the reality of his presence. She had been so close to letting him take what he wanted from her the night before, when he had marched her down here in a fury after Archie had asked her to dance. If he had made a move to kiss her at that moment, she wasn’t sure if she’d have had the strength to fight it.
But now that she’d had some time to rest and clear her head, she had plenty of plans in place to make her presence here known. Thinking about all the people who had been in attendance at the feast, she now realized that she had some power here, and she intended to exert it in any way she could.
She dressed with no help from the maids that day, glad that they seemed to keep their distance. Perhaps they were all too weary from the dancing and celebrations the night before to tend to her—whatever the reason, she’d make the most of it she could.
She slipped into a dusky-pink dress that she found tucked in one of the trunks that sat against the far wall, presumably intended for her. It fit her well, and she wondered ifhehad asked them to send for clothes especially to fit her form, but she brushed the idea off at once. He would never have bothered with something so kind or thoughtful, she was sure of it. The way he had stepped in to demand that she do exactly as he asked when she had just gone for an innocent dance with his cousin proved that, and she would not forget it any time soon.
She stepped out of the bedroom and swept down the corridor, lifting her skirts slightly to make her way to the Great Hall. A few maids were passing by, carrying plates and trays. Isla came to a halt, planting her hands on her hips and shaking her head.
“Serve breakfast in the Great Hall,” she ordered them firmly.
