Page 57 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

"Och, ye’re right," he said, staggering toward his door. "A wee kip, an' all will be well!"

As soon as he said this, Brodie toppled over himself, having to be propped up to his feet by Scott's hand. It took a while for the drunken heir to shuffle ignominiously to his door and a while longer still for him to succeed in opening it.

Only finally, when the half-wit was lying facedown on the bed, did Scott take his cue and tiptoe off, down along the dusty corridor, away from the guest wing of the Duncan castle.

Padding down the stairway, Scott turned a sharp left and headed on up to the corridor where the noble family slept.

He was going to find Aileen. He had to stop this marriage.

"Aileen!"

The rap at the door made her jump up. Although not asleep, Aileen had been cocooned in sheets and drifting into a pleasant reverie when Scott's appearance unnerved her.

"What? Who?" cried Aileen, holding the sheet up close to her. The scratching at the door continued.

"Can I see ye a moment?" he asked.

Rummaging around furiously, Aileen got dressed.

When she was at least covered up, she sighed.

"Aye," she said, quickly fastening a shawl around her. Then, she glanced around. The room was darkened, the candle on the bedside having long since blown out.

As she set about trying to light it, the door creaked open, bringing a streak of light into the room, and in walked Scott.

Aileen quickly set her loose hair behind her head and tried to appear casual.

"Scott?" she said, squinting into the darkness.

Now in the room, Scott hesitated, looking around unsurely. It seemed even he was unnerved by the dark solitude of the room.

"I'm sorry to disturb ye, Aileen," he said shiftily, standing from foot to foot. Even in the dark of the room, it was possible to make out the outline of her shape, curvy and feminine, in the moonlight.

Through the dark, Aileen caught him staring at her and immediately turned away. There, she reflected on why she should feel ashamed when it was him staring at her!

"What is it that couldnae wait until morning?" Aileen's voice was cold and sharp, sending a punch through the darkened room.

But inside, she was intrigued. She really did want to know what had sent Scott here at this ungodly hour. Further still, she did not mind one bit! But it would not harm to keep him on tenterhooks!

"I, um, there's something ye need to ken, Aileen," said Scott, his voice vague and distant. Through the dark, his light eyes glinted, sending a shot to Aileen, making her leap. He looked so fired up, she could only think one thing...

"What...what is that, Scott?"

Instinctively, she came closer, and now the pair were standing face-to-face in the darkened room. Accidentally, she brushed past him, swaying a little.

"There, lass," said Scott. His touch was upon her, tingling through the dark. A strange warmth shot through her, rubbing into her very heart, sweet and honeyed. Aileen stopped, luxuriating in the tide of pleasure that overwhelmed her.

"Well, I'll get to the point," said Scott, after what felt like a thousand years of silence. In that time, though, Aileen's body had experienced sweetness like nothing she had known before.

The bubbling surge had taken her by surprise, like a hidden force inside of her. And that had nothing on the excitement she felt when he had touched her.

Scott came to sit down on the bed beside her. It was still pitch dark. Slowly, Aileen realized that she was meant to light the candles. But now it was too late. And there they were, cheek to cheek, in the pitch black, just beginning to touch each other.

Perhaps realizing this, Scott withdrew. He dropped his hands to his sides and took a step back.

"It's about Brodie," said Scott with a sigh. Aileen looked at him. He gazed intently, his eyes trying to reach hers.

Heart beating loudly, Aileen wondered what Scott was going to say.