“Well, that was not the welcome I expected, but I am happy to see ye, too, Rissa.” Alexander chuckled, calling her by the nickname he gave her years ago. Still holding her, he swept his finger across her cheek, swiping a dollop of mud that had kicked up in her clumsiness.
Embarrassed, she pushed away from him, nearly falling backwards before she caught herself. Drats, it was as if she were a newborn fawn finding its legs for the first time. She stepped aside, far from the reach of Alexander’s warm hands and made way for Nicholas to exit. His touch left her skin scorched and she fought the impulse to bring her hand to her cheek.
“That was quite the entrance, Clarissa,” Nicholas laughed before clasping his best friend’s hand. “Thank ye for having us, Alexander. Your generosity is much too kind, as always.”
She felt the flush of embarrassment color her face. Nicholas’s jab only added to her mortification.
“Nonsense, if ye are coming to Argyll, of course ye are going to stay at Millwool. What kind of friend would I be if I made ye find other lodgings?”
His deep voice flowed over Clarissa like warm honey. Gwen looped her arm around Clarissa’s and leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “Dinna fash. I dinna think the Duke of Argyll minded catching ye. He looks quite handsome, does he no’?”
“Shhh! Dinna speak of such nonsense.”
Alexander cocked his head in her direction, his twinkling brown eyes narrowing before rubbing his hands together. “I am certain ye are ready to clean up from your journey and fill your bellies. I’ve had Cook prepare a dinner for when ye are ready. Please, come in.”
Clarissa couldn’t help but think once she climbed those steps and entered Castle Millwool she’d never be the same.
