Page 13 of Claimed Highland Brides

AWKWARD MOMENTS

His tongue in her mouth was a sensation of immediacy she had never before experienced. It was as if she could feel his tongue over every inch of her body even as it grappled with hers. She wanted to savor the taste of him, relish the feel of him, and swallow the scent of him in her mouth. She could not believe the hunger that consumed her. It seemed to appear from thin air.

In fear and terror of her own emotions, she jerked back, away from him, stumbling backward and almost tripping on her bags. Not a moment too soon, because as she tried to steady herself, the door opened and Julieta stepped in followed by the small boy they had met in the kitchen doorway. “I managed tae get some brose pudding,” she announced triumphantly before coming to an abrupt halt as her eyes fell on Daividh. “Oh, I beg yer pardon. I dinnae see ye there.”

He bowed. “It is I who should ask for forgiveness. I shall be leaving now. Dinnae be fashit, I shall spend the night outside yer door so that ye’ll be safe.” He narrowed his eyes at Fiona as he spoke, making his words not so much a promise as a threat.

“We thank ‘e.” Fiona even went so far as to curtsy prettily. Daividh narrowed his eyes further at that display but simply nodded jerkily and shuffled out of the room, shoulders straight, eyes burning. Fiona watched him go as she tried to stop the heaving of her bosom. The little boy placed the tray of food on the bedside stand and walked out after receiving a penny from Julieta, who then closed the door. She whirled to face Fiona, eyes wide. “What happened? What did ye do?”

“I…” Fiona shook her head helplessly. “I dinnae ken.”

“What does that mean?”

“I weel...he was scolding me and then…” She gestured helplessly at nothing.

“What does that mean?”

“I dinnae ken.”

Julieta sighed, shaking her head. “I hope ye ken what ye’re doing, my dear. Now come and eat. Ye said ye were hungry.”

Any appetite that Fiona had had was gone. Nevertheless, she crossed to the table, picked up the bowl, and began to eat the pudding. Julieta watched her anxiously for a while before nodding in satisfaction. “Guid lassie. We shall eat and sleep. Tomorrow is soon enough to contend wi’ all this.” She waved her hands about to indicate the entire situation. Fiona tried to smile her agreement but could not quite manage it over the lump of fear in her throat. She kept her head down and ate the food quickly before crossing over to the armoire and washing her face and hands in the basin.

“D’ye think I could have a bath? I feel quite…” She trailed off, not knowing how to articulate the feeling of itching beneath her skin that she could not quite get rid of.

“I shall ask,” Julieta said. She crossed to the door and opened it to find Daividh laying across the doorway. She uttered a squeak of surprise and jumped back as Daividh sat up. “Did ye want tae gang somewhere?” he asked, his eyes still narrowed.

“Uh...Miss Douglass would like some water tae bathe. I wanted tae get it frae her from the kitchen.”

Daividh got to his feet. “Stay here. I’ll get it.”

* * *

Donnchadh woke up with a shiver, and his limbs felt as cold as if a ghost had walked over his grave. He tried to shake the feeling off but it persisted.

Daividh was not there yet.

I hope nothing is wrong.

There were a lot of things in his life going awry, but this feeling felt almost like a warning of coming disaster. He wandered through his castle, watching as its residents scurried about, tending to the gardens, sweeping the courtyards, cooking, washing, or sparring together. Narrowing his eyes, he stood on his balcony and tried to fathom what was amiss. A footfall, emanating from behind him, startled him, and he whirled around to see Laird Hunter gazing at him with a raised eyebrow.

He stiffened with surprise and then tried to cover it up by huffing in annoyance. "Why must ye sneak up on me like a thief?"

Laird Hunter laughed silently. "Mayhaps ye should learn tae stay alert mo charaid."

Donncadh narrowed his eyes at the slight but made no attempt to rejoinder. "What d'ye want then?"

"I was simply wondering where my bride is? Should she no be here by now?"

The other laird’s frown deepened. "It isnae yet three days."

"Today is the third day!"

"Well then, ’tis not over yet. Ye can complain at supper."

Laird Hunter moved closer, his breath fanning over McCormick's face. "Dinnae act as if ye have nothing tae lose, Donnchadh," he rasped, voice low and menacing as he bit off his fellow laird’s name.

Donnchadh’s face paled as he took a step back from Laird Hunter. "Nae need frae such threats, Padraig. Ah'm sure they will arrive in good time."