“No need to make a hasty decision,” the MacNeil said, putting his hand up. “I can see ye need to think on it.”
Before Ilysa could get her bearings, she saw Connor striding toward them. He walked with the unconscious grace of a warrior who trained hard every day. And he was so handsome with his steel-blue eyes and his black hair brushing his shoulders that when he fixed his gaze on her face, Ilysa found it difficult to draw air into her lungs.
“Young men don’t know what to look for in a wife,” the MacNeil said, but she barely heard him. “I know a prize when I see one.”
With the wind blowing Connor’s hair and the sunset ablaze behind him, he looked like an ancient Celtic god.
“Connor,” the MacNeil greeted him, reminding her of his presence. “Ilysa, I’ll leave ye with your chieftain.”
“Come,” Connor said and took her arm as soon as the MacNeil turned around to head back to the castle. “I must speak with ye.”
Ilysa’s heart beat too fast as he led her down the empty beach. The heat of his muscles beneath her fingers traveled up her arm and through her body to unexpected places. Connor helped her over a rocky stretch of the beach and continued down the shore until they reached a quiet spot shielded by low trees.
The clouds still held the pink and purples of sunset, but the light was fading rapidly. Ilysa had no idea why Connor had brought her here but suspected it had something to do with her locking him in the dungeon. After all the times he had looked through her and not seen her, now that she had his full attention, she could not force words from her mouth.
“The wind has come up. Ye must be cold.” He unfastened the brooch at his shoulder and, in one fluid movement, swung his plaid from his shoulders and around hers. A sigh escaped her as she was enfolded in the warmth and smell of him.
For a long moment, Connor held the plaid together under her chin and stared into her eyes. She was afraid to breathe. Anticipation sang through her. Finally he released the plaid, but he still did not step back.
“When I said your gown didn’t look right, I only meant I was not accustomed to it.” Connor ran his hand down her arm, sending another wave of warmth through her body, then quickly pulled his hand back. “Ye do look lovely, Ilysa. Very lovely.”
She had gotten her wish. For once, Connor had looked at her and found her attractive. Yet no sooner was her wish granted than she realized it was not enough. She wanted more than a flash of desire in his eyes, more than a longing gaze.
She wantedhim.
It made no difference that it was hopeless. He was the only one she wanted.
“I’d like ye to come back to Trotternish Castle,” he said.
Ilysa closed her eyes for a brief moment and told herself not to cry.Connor wants me back.
“Does this mean you’re not angry with me anymore?” she asked.
“I am not as angry as I was,” he said, “but we must have a firm understanding that ye will not interfere in my decisions. Ye must respect me as chieftain.”
“I do.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “If ye disobey me again, I will punish ye severely.”
Ilysa kept quiet, rather than tell him she would disobey him only if she truly must.
“In truth, I haven’t given you the respect ye deserved,” Connor said. “I had no idea all that ye do to keep my household in order. Nothing is as it should be without you.”
That warmed her heart. She smiled and said, “I’ll be happy to return.”
“The saints be praised,” he said under his breath, and he took her hand. “I promise I won’t impose on ye for long. It will only be until my bride arrives.”
Disappointment crashed down on her like a great weight, and she had to swallow twice before she could get the words out. “Your bride?”
“I don’t have it arranged quite yet,” he said. “But I will wed soon.”
***
Connor needed to get his marriage arranged quickly, and not just because he needed the alliance. He had been so long without a woman that he was losing his mind. Had he really been about to kiss Ilysa?
Aye, definitely.
What was his excuse for bringing her this far away from the castle? He had wanted to speak with her privately, but it had not been necessary to be quite this alone with her. He reminded himself that this was Ilysa, whom he had known as a babe and a wee girl. He should not have these urges toward her.
