Page 119 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

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.

"Yer hair is bonnie," said William, in the biggest understatement of his life. His fingers itched to stroke it. Thick, luscious strands of curls unfurled themselves all around her. Now her redundant headdress had loosened, and, scandalously, Nora let it fall to the ground.

"Och, 'tis a midden!" she exclaimed, loosing her freed hair.

William felt himself shiver all over, but could not save himself from her gaze.

"Ye're bonnie. In fact, ye're more than bonnie. Ye're the fairest flower o' any field," William said, straightening himself. He was aware his words had begun to slur, but it did not change anything he said.

Nora said nothing, her deep green gaze agog with surprise. Watching her face, William froze. He had blown it. He had frightened her off. Despondent, he cast his eyes down. He should never have done it; now she would run a mile.

But instead, Nora grinned, inviting him in. William felt his heart pump and grind. Everything around him began spinning.

Slowly, he leaned in, this time not stopping until her face brushed his. Any closer and they would be kissing. And once that happened, there really would be no way back.

10

"Are we finished?"

Nora's smile stretched longingly across her face. Inside, she had begun to ache. The evening clouds were thickening, long since having captured the sun. Now they turned their attention to the moon, standing alone in the sky.

Nora considered all this right away, the same time it took her to watch his smile. It was all she had been doing since the feast began. Their special feast for two.

Around them, the last vestiges of food were scattered; animal bones, half-consumed possets, cold pottages, and wilting jellies. Patting her midriff contentedly, Nora thought about loosening her bodice, but there was no opportunity. Instead, she satisfied herself with tracing the outline of his neck against the window light, pale, as it faded in the night.

William looked up. "Finished? I was just getting started."

They both laughed, but he gazed at her longingly until Nora had to turn her head away. She was so happy right now, but whenever she closed her eyes, she saw her father's head.

Dinnae do anything wi' him until he brings the wedding forward! Then I dinnae care!

They had actually been his last words of imparting wisdom to her, that and the gory details of seduction laid out by a fifty-something man with a beard that resembled a badger. Just the thought of it made her shudder.

William followed her with his eyes. "I see I have exhausted ye," he said, jesting. Compliantly, Nora flumped onto the table before raising her head, smiling. They had had a good evening, and already she was relaxed in William's company. Maybe a little too relaxed.

"Dinnae fash," she assured him, although it was mighty cozy cuddled up on the table.

Instinctively, William came over, his light touch upon her hair.

That was where she should have stopped him, she would later think, but at the time, all she could do was sit and stare.

Now William was caressing her hair, his hand rubbing up and down from the top of her head to her the tips of her shoulders. And she was loving it.

"Braw," murmured William, as Nora herself gave a little cough. She felt she had to register it somehow to make a small complaint. Not that she felt it.

She was mesmerized by the feel of his touch shimmering up and down her head. Normally, she hated anyone touching her head, and this was a revelation. Slowly, William's fingers caressed, teasing her shoulders and rubbing her neck. Then, they stroked her up, down, back, forth, over and over again. The feeling was hypnotic; it drew her in.

Inside, a deep tiredness took her, but it was sweet and nice.

"Ye've got a bonnie neck an' arms," he told her, nuzzling his face up close.

Nora felt herself weaken. A tender ache took her, seeping through her limbs to a private place. Everything felt heated.

"Just neck an' arms?" she teased him, her voice purring languorously.

Had she had one too many wee drams? Everything felt soft and sweet. And by then, she did not care. Nora giggled, casting a comely glance at William.

"Nay, nae just that," he sighed. He was upon her. At least, that was what it felt like. Leaning over, he put his head near so that his breath was an inch from hers. He was close. Too close. She should have told him to stop it but felt too weak.