“Or they will be busy watchin’ Katherine,” Agnes pointed out. She seemed to have regained her serious demeanor in just a few short seconds. “The ceilidh is for her.”
“Then I will give ye yer first lesson,” Elspeth offered as she threaded a thick needle. Picking up a flower, she said, “I cannae promise ye that I will be any good at teachin’, though.”
“I daenae think anyone’s as good at teachin’ as Katherine,” Agnes said simply, turning back to her work.
The girl’s simple, honest assessment felt like a gift of the highest honor. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had so blatantly shown their appreciation for her. Unbidden, tears collected in the corners of her eyes. To keep from making a fool of herself, she busied herself with the garlands.
“She is quite good,” Tilly said, her hands working expertly. “It seems that ye pick things up much faster when Lady Katherine teaches ye than ye do when anyone else does.”
Before Katherine had to come up with a response, the door to the solar swung open, drawing everyone’s attention. Standing there, dressed for the ceilidh, his kilt showing off his strong legs, was Liam. She swallowed when she saw the fire in his gaze, her throat clicking, her mouth dry.
“Lady MacDougal,” he said, his voice clipped and formal. “I would like to speak to ye in the corridor for a moment.”
“Of course,” Katherine said, surprised at how measured she was able to keep her tone as she put the garland aside and got to her feet.
I daenae like the way he’s lookin’ at me.
* * *
Liam’s hands itched to reach out to Katherine when she passed by him. The urge only grew stronger when he closed the door, plunging them into relative privacy. It would be so easy to touch her.
She looks more bonnie than I’ve ever seen her.
“I am surprised that ye’re still here,” Katherine said, the casualty of her voice clearly forced.
She was watching him, guarded but hopeful. It was the kind of expression that threatened to break him. He had to hardenhimself even further, tighten his jaw to keep from saying something he shouldn’t.
“I’ve come to inform ye that I’ve finalized me plans,” he said as professionally as he could muster. It was difficult to do when she was so close, the heat of her seeming to draw him in closer. “After the ceilidh, I will be leavin’.”
“I see,” she said, tilting her head to the side as she narrowed her eyes at him. “Is that all, then?”
“Nay,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. Bracing himself for her disappointment, he continued, “I daenae ken when I will return. I am entrustin’ ye with Agnes while I am away. I ken that ye will take good care of her, continue with her lessons as ye have been.”
“Ye’re leavin’?” Katherine exclaimed, the explosive nature of her response surprising him. “And ye daenae even ken when ye will be back?”
Liam frowned but didn’t budge. “I have to leave to protect me people, Katherine. I have told ye.”
She looked away from him sharply. Her eyes were bright as she drew her bottom lip between her teeth. The way her shoulders slumped felt like a knife to his chest.
I daenae ken how to handle this. I cannae comfort her nor change me plans.
A beat passed before she turned toward him. The devastation that had been there just moments ago was replaced by fury. She made herself appear larger, even though her head still only reached his chin. It reminded him of an animal pushed to the edge in self-defense.
“What have I done?” she demanded, stepping slightly closer in a way that tempted danger.
Liam couldn’t respond, not because she’d done anything wrong nor performed her duties incorrectly, though. No, it was all his fault. It was his disgusting lack of control. He desired her badly, more than anything else in the land, but it was too much of a risk.
I must stop, and to do that, I cannae be around ye.
“Have ye forgotten that ye’re here to care for Agnes?” he said, moving in closer. Defaulting to sharper, colder language, he told her, “That is why ye are here. I am informin’ ye of an increase in yer duties. Ye shouldnae expect anythin’ more. I was clear with ye from the beginnin’.”
“Aye, ye told me, but it seems as if ye have forgotten that as well,” she said, the fire in her eyes growing even brighter.
“I havenae forgotten any of it,” Liam ground out.
His own frustration bubbled, but it wasn’t directed at her. Instead, it threatened to turn into a nasty, venomous thing. It was the precursor to taking an action that he’d surely regret.
And she is so damn close to me.
