Page 35 of Betrayed by His Highland Wife

"My father is always part o' any problem."

William felt his heart exploding. Unable to breathe, he turned and saw Nora smiling. Behind him was Alasdair, grinning ruefully.

"Nora!" William jumped up, cheerfully ready to strangle Alasdair.

Why didnae ye warn me? his eyes flashed, while he tried to remove the surprise from his features and look calm.

But Nora had already seen it and now was watching him with renewed amusement.

"Nora, I—" William began. He scrambled to his feet. Inside, he wondered how much of their little exchange she had heard. Her face was not telling, but he reckoned she probably heard pretty much all of it.

"Aye, lad," said Nora, her eyes dancing, amused. "I ken, my father can be quite a trial."

"Ah, um, I just meant that—" started William, realizing that he had no idea how to end this sentence.

Nora waved him down. "Och, dinnae fash. An' anyway, let's nae speak o' him. After all, this looks like a gusty wee supper for just us two."

Nora's eyes sparkled as she looked around. Unbidden, she sat down on the benches before them as William watched her, unsure.

"Come on," she said, patting the bench next to him. Bewildered, William sat down as Alasdair discreetly disappeared, leaving them to it. "Ye can tell me exactly how my father has irked ye!"

The look she sent him was pure mischief and gave him unexpected ructions. Her eyes, so knowing, teasing him in. William forgot whatever it was he had been worrying about and sat right down.

"Thank ye." Nora nodded to the serving wench, who had appeared, unbidden, to serve the first course. William looked around.

Somehow, the table had been reset, and new dishes were placed in waiting for them. He blinked. He had not noticed this happening, so preoccupied he was with Nora.

"Mmm, braw," murmured Nora, picking at the fish dish in front of her. Helping her to some more, William watched her eat. In fact, he could barely take his eyes away.

"Here, a wee bit more," said William patiently. Courteously, he poured her some wine as she delicately tasted the fare. "It's all from oor own stocks."

Nora dabbed the sides of her mouth and picked her way through the plate. William was so distracted that he almost forgot to eat his own. All he could do was stare.

Smiling, Nora tried everything he brought her, nodding her head and agreeing it was the best thing she had ever tasted. When they had finished eating—William really did not know how much later, only that he felt incapable of another morsel—he sat back in his seat, grinning.

"Ye seem best pleased wi' yerself," said Nora inquisitively. Her eyes darted impishly all around him. In fact, she had been most pert throughout the meal. As the feast had progressed, William had become gradually merrier, and his fears had ebbed away.

Gazing at her gentle face, any thoughts that she may not be interested simply disappeared.

Refilling their goblets, he leaned in closer. "Nay, lass, I am best pleased wi' ye," he confessed. His voice was barely a whisper; he could not help it. He was overwhelmed by her presence.

Nora took the compliment. "Well, I am glad to hear it," she said, the tiniest rose coming into her cheek. Since finishing their meal, she had pinkened. Her cheek looked so tender that William was immediately consumed by the need to kiss it.

Hot thoughts submerged him, sudden thoughts of grabbing her chin and kissing her, right there, right then. William's thoughts cut right through their conversation. She was witty and warm and had made him laugh, but just then, he could not hear a word of it.

Kiss me, she might as well have said. An' make it quick.

William turned away. He had to. The desire welling up inside him was so strong. Sipping his aqua vitae, his eyes glanced to Alasdair, then she sat up sharp.

When did he come back in?

But Alasdair did not speak. His watchful gaze said it all. He had noted the passion between them. He knew, and William knew he knew.

Right then, he didn't care who else knew too.

Leaning, he pulled her close. For just one moment, he had every intention of kissing her for real. Already, he could taste her lips, deep cherries and sweetness. Unexpected passion roused between his legs. Everything was on fire. Dropping his eyes, he signaled to Alasdair to get out of the room.

Finally, they were together, just him and her. Nora was laughing with her head held back, revealing her hair. It tumbled loosely, escaping from its caul or whatever the damned hell that pillowing was. William did not care; her hair was too special to be closeted, and suddenly, he had to fight every fiber of the urge to caress it.