Page 14 of Reckless Desire

He smiled gently. “My parents visited often, and I spent summers home. Until I was seventeen.”

“Then what happened?” she asked.

“I preferred to stay…with my friends.”

She regarded him. “You preferred to stay where there were fine ladies, you mean.”

“There was that,” he agreed.

They reached the alcove and he stood aside so she could enter first. She took two steps and halted. Neither Sir Stirling or Lady Chastity were in the alcove.

“Is something amiss?” Lord Newhall asked.

She turned.

“You are fatigued.” He cupped her elbow and walked two paces, then eased her down onto the divan. He sat beside her.

She shouldn’t be alone with him, but she had suggested coming here. Would it be rude to say she wanted to leave? She looked at the open door. With the curtain not pulled, that meant they weren’t really alone. Two ladies passed and glanced into the alcove.

“Am I boring you, Miss Ramsay?” Lord Newhall asked.

She looked at him. “Oh, no. I am sorry.” Kenna leaned against the divan back and tried to relax. “Did you like living on Skye?”

“Indeed. There were a great many places for a lad to investigate. Many treasures to be found.”

She thought of her cousin and smiled. “Aye. My cousin feels the same.”

“Feels? How old is he?”

“Ten.”

Lord Newhall laughed. The smile reached his eyes and warmth rippled through her. “He is a lucky lad. Tell me, does he fish?”

“Aye, he is a master fisherman. I taught him.”

“You?” Curiosity shone in his eyes. “I am something of a fisherman, myself.” He grinned, and she imagined a dark-haired boy, knee deep in a shallow pool as he pulled in a pike.

“It is a shame I did not know you then,” he said.

Kenna frowned.

“You could have taught me how to fish.” His gaze darkened. “Perhaps you could still teach me.”

“I imagine you are a very skilled fisherman.” He was probably skilled at everything he put his mind to.

“I know a beautiful pool.”

“A faery pool?” she asked.

He gave a slow nod. “The water is turquoise, much like your dress, and there is a waterfall.” His gaze darkened. “We could fish, then drink champagne.”

Kenna couldn’t help a laugh. “I do no’ think most people drink champagne when they fish.”

“There is a first time for everything,” he said. “Would you like me to take you to that pool?”

Her heart lurched. See a faery pool on Skye? Aye, she would love nothing more. She would pull off her stockings and stick her feet in the cool water and turn her face up to the scant sun. Even on overcast days—which were most days—she drank in as much warmth as she could.

“It is quite beautiful. Like you,” he murmured.