Chapter Fourteen
Why, indeed? Malcolmcouldn’t explain his actions to himself, how was he supposed to explain them to Lizzie as she looked up at him with her big brown eyes and naught but expectation shining bright within their depths.
Och, how his best friends would laugh at him now and the predicament he found himself in.
He feared that after they got to Tolton Hall this evening and he uncovered the truth, finally, that he would have to give up his investigative work forever. For most certainly he had failed on this mission. He’d kenned it before they even left Twynholm, he just didn’t want to admit it to himself.
Lizzie had caught his attention from the first moment their eyes had met from across the hall, and he had been unable to shake the grip she had on him since.
Hell, he’d get down on his damned knee right now and propose to the lass if he could.
But he couldn’t. Right now she was infatuated with him. But she didn’t ken him. Didn’t ken his past. What he’d done. The life he lived before. The number of lasses he’d bedded and then left in the morning so as not to give them any inclination that he had any interest that went further than the hours they’d shared the night before. He’d ruined so many lasses and it never bothered him.
Until Lizzie. The mere thought of taking her innocence for a night of heaven and then walking away, seemed like the worst thing he could do. The thought actually made him sick. And that was why he was wondering what the hell was the matter with him.
“My lord?” Lizzie placed a small hand on his arm, bringing him back to the present, and without thinking, he placed his hand on hers, his thumb rubbing over her knuckles in a gentle caress.
He kenned Mary was watching them. That she could see what they were doing, and he cared naught.
And that was why, right there, in the middle of the street, for anyone to see, he tugged on Lizzie’s hand, pulling her close, and captured her mouth to his.
For the briefest of moments, she stiffened in surprise, but then melted into his arms.
The kiss was deep. Passionate. And if they weren’t in the middle of the street, he would find himself in much the same predicament that he had last night. Thankfully, the bustle of the streets around them kept his actions in check from going any further. But he also kenned, just kissing her in such a public place was putting her reputation at risk.
He broke the kiss, and Lizzie sighed as she looked at him with hooded eyes and flushed cheeks.
“I have been wanting to do that since ye opened your door, Lass.”
She bit her bottom lip and then burst out in laughter. It was contagious, and he soon followed suit. Soon, they were both laughing maniacally in the street and people passing by were giving them odd looks and a wide clearance.
Mary rushed forth. “Sir!” She called. “Miss!” She had her skirts in her fists as she ran towards them. “What are ye doing?” She questioned when she stopped in front of them, her chestheaving. “My lord, pardon me for saying, but that was most improper. And in front of e’eryone no less. Are ye trying to ruin her reputation?”
Beside him, Lizzie giggled. “Mary, cease. We are fine.”
“Ye arena. No’ at all. Your parents—”
“Willna ken,” Lizzie interjected, her voice authoritative. “Unless I want them to, and at this time I am uncertain of that. ’Twas just a kiss. Is that no’ right, my lord?” she asked, looking at him innocently, batting her long lashes.
He cleared his throat and straightened. “No disrespect was meant, Mary. I assure ye.”
Did the lass really mean it was just a kiss? Or was she saying that for Mary’s sake? Once again, he questioned his sleuthing skills, because he couldn’t deduce whether Lizzie was being genuine or not. Lord help him.
“The hour grows late. Let us continue our journey and we’ll make it to Tolton Hall by late afternoon.”
Lizzie’s demeanor changed at the mention of her home. “Are ye no’ excited to go home, Lass?” He bent and whispered close to her ear, the temptation to dare nip her lobe with his teeth strong.
She shrugged her shoulders as they walked toward the carriage. “I am. I do miss my parents, but no’ the wrath I will face once they find out what I have done. Also, I’ll be happy to prove to ye that those jewels ye are keeping from me are mine once and for all.”
He nodded and helped her into the carriage. Then Mary, and he followed behind, settling into the bench across from them.
Lizzie stuck out a foot and nudged his boot discreetly.
He raised a brow in question, and she just laughed as the carriage lurched forward and they were on their way.
*
It was almostsuppertime when the carriage rocked to a halt in front of the steps of Tolton Hall. It was a beautiful building that looked out to the North Sea. He imagined if they went out the back door of the estate, their feet would meet pebbly sand and hear the rush of the waves as they crashed to shore.
