Page 14 of The Lady of Her Highland Clan

Of course, they would still notice she was gone, but at that moment, Fiona did not care.

With Clyde's strong arm protectively across her, she allowed herself to sink into his touch.

Within minutes, they had reached the corridor, where already, it was cooler. Gently, he pressed upon her shoulder, helping her along the hallway and out to the upper chamber.

"Ye've a braw castle," said Clyde. "Maybe ye can show me around sometime?"

Fiona looked around. To her surprise, they were already at the foot of the stairs. Longingly, she looked upstairs. Her chamber was just out of reach. But there was no way she could allow Clyde to come any further.

"Um, o' course, taemorrow," said Fiona, desperately willing her brain to think of something to keep Clyde here. "Well, thank ye, for, um..."

All Fiona's words had faded away. Suddenly, all she could think about was the color of Clyde's eyes. They were light and green and staring straight at her.

"I—" Fiona had the strangest sensation. A tingling took her, sweeping her off her feet. Or was that Clyde?

Maybe she stumbled. She could not remember. All she knew was she ended up in his arms.

"Fiona?"

Fiona stared up. The world appeared above her, tilting strangely. When she looked, she was on the cold stone floor, the image of Clyde's face filling her vision.

How did I get down here?

"Fiona, lassie, let me help ye up."

His strong arms lifted her gently up to her feet. The world still turning, Fiona dusted down her dress.

"Excuse me," she said. "I tripped..."

"I ken," said Clyde, smiling. His warm arms were still around her, and Fiona ached physically for his touch to go further.

The light was dim, but she could see enough in his eyes to know he wanted it too.

Clyde brought his face closer, hovering over her for a while. He murmured something that she did not hear, then, face-to-face, he kissed her.

Slowly at first, his lips brushed across hers. Then, with a quick smile, he dived in, kissing her hot and hard.

It was the sweetest sensation; his pure kiss burned through her. Fiona found her hands pressed into his hair, and she stroked it inquisitively. She did not know how this had happened, but she knew she didn't want this moment to stop.

The softness of his touch, the tenderness that he embraced her with enveloped her. Leaning in deeper, Fiona kissed him again, her lips inviting him in to tease her further.

"Fiona, I—" Clyde began, but he did not get any further.

"Miss Duncan!"

A desiccated voice made her turn around. There, in front of her, was the chief elder.

Fiona sprung forward, but Clyde steadied her with his hand. The elder's gray eyes bored into them, expressing in full his disapproval.

"Excuse me, sir," said Clyde, but in a tone that was telling him to back off. Clyde smiled, but despite his tone, was unapologetic. He held a protective arm around Fiona.

"Miss Duncan!" gasped the elder. He looked so pained Fiona wondered if he was apoplectic.

"I-I am sorry," she began, although Clyde looked anything but sorry. However, he loosened his grip on her.

The gray-haired elder nodded briskly, his eyes firmly on Clyde. Eventually, he took the hint.

"I... I will wish ye goodnight, milady," he said, bowing slightly. Then, with a quick turn to the elder, Clyde disappeared down the dim corridor, leaving Fiona to a lonely bedchamber and a scolding from a sour-faced elder.

"Miss Duncan, I really think that—" the stony elder began. But Fiona did not hear it. All she could think about was the tenderness of Clyde’s kiss and the trace of his touch on her lips.

All the counselor's angry words just melted away. All she could think about was Clyde.

Fiona felt her palms clam up. She was burning up. Literally.

After a lifetime of being in control, Fiona was in the grip of a genuine emotion that she had no say over. One that she did not understand in any way.

It would take a long time for her to realize what it was.