Kieran stood as well, but stayed in place. “He was trying to be noble!” His voice followed her as she walked. “Just where do you think you’re going?”
By the time she turned to face him, she had unbuttoned her blouse. “I don’t want to get captured by a kelpie.”
He eyed her hungrily as the white garment fluttered to the ground. “Can you swim?” His hands dropped to unfasten his breeches.
She sucked in her breath and shook her head. “Mama considers it even more unladylike than riding.”
His trousers hung loosely off his hips as he strode toward her. “She may be right. And you never know when you may meet a dangerous water creature.”
Diantha shrieked and tore across the turf. With a roar, he caught up with her in no time, carrying her to level ground. Laying her flat on her back, he swept her skirt and petticoats up to expose her drawers. Using both hands he widened the slit in the undergarment, then bent forward to brush his mouth over hers.
Heart pounding, she nibbled his lower lip. “I thought the kelpie enticed maidens to ride him.”
His eyes darkened to green above her as he sucked in a breath. “I believe they do.” Rolling onto his back, he pulled her on top of him, his hands scrabbling to shove cloth aside. “Ride me, my clever girl.”
Reaching down, she felt hot hard flesh in herhand. She squeezed and stroked him until he shut his eyes, groaning. Only then did she raise herself up on her knees to straddle him. As the thick length of him slid up inside her channel, he worked her breasts free of her corset. She threw back her head with a hoarse cry as his mouth closed over a stiff pink nipple.
Yes, she would ride her dark lover. Perhaps she could capture him after all.
Much later, she shivered as she lay on his chest. His arms held her securely as one hand stroked her hair. Silently, her fingers traced his high cheekbone. She shivered again. The wind had turned cold, she realized.
Kieran raised his head. “Damnation!”
Disoriented, she rolled off him. “What?”
“I think we’re about to get caught in a storm.” Sure enough, the clouds in the distance approached steadily now, with unmistakable slants of rain beneath them.
It hit them halfway back to the manor. Not just rain, but battering winds, lightning, and thunder. “A gale!” She could hardly hear him over the rain beating over them.
They clattered into the stable yard only to receive a dressing down by a furious Archie Green as their steaming beasts were taken away by the grooms. Slipping through a side door, they squelched their way across the kitchen, ordering cans of hot water to be brought up to their rooms for baths.
A chill shook Diantha’s body. “I fear we may have to set dinner back.”
Kieran hugged her to him, although he was notmuch warmer. “That would hardly be fair to Iona and Barclay.” He shouted down the narrow stairs after the scurrying servants. “Send up dinner for two to Lady Rossburn’s room.”
A worried Florette hurried her out of the sopping wet habit and into a heavy robe after Kieran had pushed her into her room. Even huddled in a chair next to the fireplace, her teeth chattered until hot water arrived for her bath.
Finally warmed through, she dressed in a longsleeved tea gown and relaxed until a footman brought in a small table, followed by another bearing a tray filled with covered dishes.
Knocking on his door, she told Kieran their meal awaited, then dismissed Florette and the other servants.
Much later, she sat back in her chair, stomach full. The gale had blown inland by then, leaving only a steady rain to tap on the windows. “I think this has been the most enjoyable dinner I’ve eaten at Duncarie.”
Opposite, her husband’s eyes gleamed in the firelight as he rubbed a finger on the rim of his wineglass. “MacAdam won’t care for that remark.” Under the table one of his bare feet slid up her unstockinged leg under the tea gown’s loose skirt.
Pushing her chair back from the table, she rose to her feet. “I referred to the company, not the quality of the food. MacAdam always excels.”
He stood too, clearly prepared to pounce. Her heart pounded and she bit her lip in anticipation.
They both jumped when someone pounded on her door. “Open up!” Barclay pounded again.
“Word just came from Cariford that the fishing boats were caught in the storm.”
Kieran closed his eyes. “Oh my God.” He called to his cousin through the door. “Were any lost?” “All of them.”
Chapter 14
Kieran gripped the back of his chair, ashen-faced at the news. Only the soft snaps of the fire and the rain striking the windowpanes filled those few seconds of silence.
