Page 106 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"Och! What time is this? Sorcha, I told ye nae to bother me so early."

The muffled voice of his future beloved growled through the heavy oak door. Steeling himself for a reaction, William knocked again, this time fully prepared.

She was no less happy the second time.

"Och, didnae ye hear me? Och, Sorcha, I said⁠—"

"I'm nae Sorcha!"

Amused, William settled back behind the door and waited.

"William?" she said, sounding slightly out of sorts.

"Which other gentlemen callers were ye expecting?" William teased, the morning air kissing his cheek. It was sunny, and the day was crisp and light. All things told, it was a miracle for the Highlands, especially at this time of the year.

However, Nora, it seemed, did not share his enthusiasm.

"Well, nay one," said Nora, sounding vexed.

Suddenly, William wondered if this was the best idea. Uncertainly, he wavered on the threshold.

"Mistress," said William, using his best manners, "I am sorry to have disturbed ye. I should leave ye to get some beauty sleep. Please forgive my intrusion."

"Och, dinnae fash, I am awake noo," said Nora, not sounding particularly pleased.

Uncertainly, William waited, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

"Hark," he said, thinking. Perhaps this had been a mistake. Maybe he should have listened to Alasdair, as he had warned him about waking up a lady too early. "I shall be downstairs in the hall. When ye are ready, please come."

He was about to walk away when the door was unbolted. Swiftly, it opened.

There was Nora.

"I am ready noo," said Nora, as William tried to put his eyes back into his head. Despite his attempts, he could not stop looking at her over, from top to toe.

She was provocatively wrapped in a mantle—or possibly the bedclothes. Either way, a long sheeting was draped over her body, making it impossible for William to see where the shape of her started and ended. But, oh, he could guess!

But William was confused. "Ye are ready? For what, madam?"

He couldn't help it. As soon as the words had left his lips, it was too late. Nora's eyes widened as a smirk played around her lips. Glancing about the corridor, William looked anxiously.

Anyone could come. Neither of them should be doing this. Perhaps sensing this, Nora's eyes darted about; then, she ushered him in, still in the bed clothing or whatever it was.

It was wrong. He ought not to be here like this. But he was now, and that was that. Hurriedly checking that no one had seen them, William hastened into the chamber and quickly bolted the door.

There, in front of him, was Nora, a strange giggle starting in her throat. She was so near. Close enough for him to touch. And something about the silken drape perched over her shoulder begged him so much to do so. He wanted to just remove it, like a canopy, and start touching.

William practically slapped his own hand away and turned his head.

"Mistress, I should let ye dress," he said, frantically looking away. "I shouldnae have come."

To his surprise, Nora shook her head. "Och, 'tis nothing. Give me a wee moment," she said, disappearing into the four-poster bed.

Poor William's eyes were almost burning. He must not look. He must not... What the heck was she doing there?

Swiftly, Nora drew the curtaining, sealing herself inside the four-poster bed and setting William's pulse rate sky-high. Somehow, he had to pretend not to be tormented.

"I will be as quick as I can," Nora assured, from behind her tenting.