Page 31 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

Lissie's eyes widened pertinently, as if accusing him of something. Slowly, the penny dropped. Will looked up, shocked.

"You thought I was laughing at you?" he said in disbelief.

Lissie just stared. "Well, werenae ye?" she retorted. Then, with a pause, she softened. "I mean, I wouldnae blame ye. I would probably laugh at me!"

"Elisabeth," said Will, emboldened. "Lissie. I would never laugh at you. I..." Here, he faltered as his eyes met hers. "I just could not quite catch what you were saying, that was all. I am afraid your charming lilt did not quite reach my ears."

Will had explained it as best he could do. All he could hope was that she was not mortally offended.

"Ye couldnae understand me? Well, aye, ye see what I mean." She paused; a dart of fun flashed into her eyes. Then she was serious. "I mean, it couldnae work out. I am just nae right for ye. My cousin is right. She said so from the start and⁠—"

"Then your cousin is a fool," snapped Will. He had not quite meant to say it, but it just shot out. And when it was out there, there was no going back.

Slowly, Will approached her. He took her hand in his. Squeezing it, a sensation of utter sweetness descended over him.

This girl was warm.

Heady warmth spread out all through him, shooting down his loin and making him blink. He could not stop himself from putting his arm around her. Just to comfort her, he told himself, but his hands developed independent tendencies of their own.

Now suddenly, he wanted to soothe and caress her, running his fingers down her long hair, which fell in cascades.

Lissie turned toward him, her red lips pouting and hot. A surge came within Will, and he knew from the look of her that she felt it as well.

It was half an inch—not even a finger's width between her and his face. He could feel the warmth burning against his cheek. A powerful desire overwhelmed Will to grab her with both hands and lie her down in the hay.

What better? What could be more natural and right?

Will brought a hand toward her, caressing her thick hair very slightly. Then, a voice pierced the air.

"William?"

Will's eyes almost leaped out of his face.

His mother.

In double-quick timing, Will darted away. He nearly leaped a mile into the air. The shock set his heart racing. And, by the look of her, Lissie was just as abashed.

"Mother, I, I was just…" Will struggled to come up with some scenario to completely exonerate Lissie.

But before he could get to the end, his mother surged forward.

"I understand perfectly," said the duchess. Her furious blue eyes made it clear what she meant. "That you were accompanying this young lady to her horse, and 'tis commendable," she continued, her face expressing the exact opposite. "But I believe the wagoner is waiting and that he will drive Lady Elisabeth back to her abode."

Lissie looked indignant. Still, she did not say anything.

"So I will leave you to make your goodbyes and then retire back to the house," continued his mother, her gray hair so sculpted back into its headdress it took on the appearance of molten iron.

Before Will could utter another word, his mother had gone, leaving Lissie staring at him.

"I must go," said Lissie, taking the hint that had been dropped on her from above. Startled, Will watched her as she gathered together her things and searched helplessly for her missing chopines.

Sensing a chance to help her, Will immediately dashed forward.

"Here," he said, presenting her with the tiny shoe. He could not help examining the shape of it, as it was pressed into his hand. "It's so small," he said thoughtlessly, handing it to her.

Lissie took it with a curious expression.

"My feet have always been very wee," she said with an odd smile. Now she was sitting on a bale of hay beside the white horse, whom she nuzzled carefully.