Page 9 of A Dangerous Highland Affair

“Aye, ye’ve naething to fear here, lassie!” said Neacal, smiling at her gaze. But even as he said the words, something inside him quickened. If she knew the truth, would she be so carefree?

Of course, she wasn’t in any danger, not from him, anyway. But even so, the knowledge that there were others, waiting for him, cut into his assured manner. As much as he wanted to, he really shouldn’t stay here too long. And yet…

He watched Teasag caress her hair, a stray curl that had blown into her face. Neacal gazed as Teasag’s elegant fingers got to work, quickly braiding and then pushing back her straight long blonde hair. The speed she worked at amazed him. Neacal had always found women and their hair fascinating, but never more so than now. There was something instinctive in how they could braid hair and still give their full attention to something else that captivated him—that and the fact that Teasag had unusually beautiful hair.

Within minutes Teasag had gotten her long, pale-colored tresses back under control and was assiduously tucking them into a caul leaving only one or two wispy curls peeking out.

Why did women hide their hair away? It seemed such a waste, especially when it was as lovely as hers. And yet in a minute it would be back, carefully under wraps and away from admiring eyes.

Neacal gazed at her. She was picture perfect, even more so than before. The hair she had flaunted was safely packed away, far from temptation, but all Neacal could think about was finding a way of running his fingers through her soft hair.

Of course, that was impossible. Neacal shuffled awkwardly in his seat, keeping one eye on the door. He had to be vigilant. There was no way that he could allow anything to happen. Not now that the girl was around.

“So, what brings ye to this pool of thievery an’ vagabonds?” added Neacal, mischievously. His words were light, but even as he spoke them, he felt darkness touch his heart.

“Och,” she said noncommittally. “Ye ken…”

Teasag gave him a glance, which sent a dart right through him. With candlelight running through her hair, the lass was illuminated just like an angel. Trying not to gawp too much, Neacal tried to occupy himself with practical thoughts.

Deftly, his eyes sifted through the flotsam of the tavern crowd. Apart from the presence of the beer guts, it was a dry night. The wagons he had hoped for bringing wealthy travelers had not materialized. In fact, not much had come this way apart from the foul, raging wind and, unexpectedly, Teasag.

No wonder her presence had created such a stir!

Neacal cut back to look at the beautiful lass in front of him. Until she had turned up, he was thinking of calling it a night. But from the moment he had seen her in the tavern, he had changed his mind.

It wasn’t just that she was the only woman in the building, it was the way she had comported herself, through the snakes at the bar and their hot, hungry eyes.

He had known then that something was going to happen. Neacal gazed at Teasag curiously and watched as she finished her drink.

“So then, ye still havenae answered my question, lassie,” said Neacal, recovering himself. He presented his smart, cocky grin.

“What?” said Teasag, sharply glancing up, shaking herself out of her reverie. She quickly stifled a yawn, before smiling at him with an apologetic grin.

“I said, what brings ye to this notorious hotspot for thieves, gypsies, an’ horny-handed sons of the soil?” his question sounded flippant, but actually Neacal was begging to know more about the maid sat before him.

“Och,” said Teasag shyly, and put down her drink. It looked as if she was in the midst of battling another yawn but successfully overcame it. “Well, my brother lives in Blackness an’ I am traveling back there to stay wi’ him…”

Her voice trailed off, as she fiddled nervily with a stray curl that wisped away from her caul.

Watching her, Neacal could sense something… something that she wasn’t telling him. It was more the way that she sat with shoulders hunched at him when just a moment ago she had been gay and carefree.

Then, she turned to look at him, a little sheepishly. “Neacal, I dinnae hope ye think I’m rude, but I think it’s time I made a move…,” she said, standing up to leave.

“Nae,” murmured Neacal, getting to his feet. It only felt as if they had been together for a few moments, but from the tapering candle on the table, they had been talking for much longer.

“Well, I can hear my bed calling me,” said Teasag, with a smile. Neacal’s heart pounded at the mention of Teasag’s bed, but he smoothed himself down and smiled as coolly as possible.

“Lassie, I hope I wasnae boring ye?” he added in jest. Teasag pretended to bat him away with a grin, but instead, they found themselves face to face together, over the dying candle, and without warning, things stiffened and became tense.

“Aye,” said Teasag with a yawn, breaking the moment. “Och, I dinnae mean to be so rude!” she grinned. “But it’s been a lang day…”

“Aye,” agreed Neacal, reluctantly. “That it has, but all the better for meeting ye!”

He took her hand and kissed it lightly. Teasag giggled, and as she did, Neacal felt a jolt of energy reverberate through his spine.

For a moment or so, Teasag dithered, her eyes casting around the bar. As it had grown late, the tavern had filled with even more rough-hewn farmers, and by the look on her face, Teasag was none too sure about pushing her way back through them.

Sensing her reluctance, Neacal looked up. “Come on,” he said, presenting her his arm. “I can walk ye to yer room…”