Page 41 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

“Thank ye,” murmured Deva, slowly getting to her feet. Rory led her gently over to the edge of the dusky hallway. Then, they lingered for a moment, in the shadows of the door, Deva and her servant maid hovering anxiously in the frame.

Niven felt a stab of disquiet. So far, he had just been watching from the sides. Then, his uncle beckoned him over.

“Niven,” he said, surely. “Ye show the new Lady to her room. I’m sure she’ll be impressed. It’s the very biggest in the place!” he flashed her a crooked beam, then returned to seriousness.

“Make yerself at home, lassie,” he said, smiling, but the uneasiness in his eyes showed through. Niven thought how transparent he looked. “An’ then, tomorrow, maybe Niven could show ye the stables an’ help ye pick out a new horse for yerself….”

“Thank ye, sir,” said Deva politely. She smiled gracefully as Rory once more kissed her hand and then retreated away from the room.

Now, the pair of them were left in the half-light, gazing at each other through the shadows. The servant girl had also gone, fetching up some of Deva’s cases.

Finally, the pair of them were left, cheek to cheek, to gaze up at each other.

Alone.

Chapter Thirteen

“Well, if there’s anything ye need, dinnae hesitate to ask.” Niven was standing on the threshold to her room. By now, it was the middle of the night, and Deva had lost all track of the time.

“Aye, it’s getting late for sure,” said Deva formally.

How did they get so formal? Niven was hovering in front of her, unsurely. Although they were alone on the landing, Deva was very aware that any minute someone might come.

Since their arrival, he had been rather subdued, reverting to very proper behavior. Deva got why, but she couldn’t help wishing that he would simply shut the door behind him and pick up where they had left off before. But instead, he wavered on the entrance.

“Aye, it has been a long day,” agreed Niven. His smile was perfunctory, but the twinkle in his eye told her that he was still in there somewhere.

Vaguely she screwed her face up and tried to recall the time showing on the longcase clock downstairs. Her clock, now.

Deva did not know how she felt about that. Rory’s gift had been very generous. Maybe too generous. She didn’t know why, but it set her on edge.

“So, ye’ve met my uncle,” said Niven, his eyes flashing around the interior of the room. Deva had hardly time to take it all in, but like the hall, it was big.

“Aye,” said Deva, wondering why she was answering so stiffly. Quickly, she peered around, her eyes darting to the edges of the hallway. If she didn’t know better, she would believe there was someone – or something – there. But there was no-one, just the ever-present wind rattling against the doors.

“And what do ye think?” Niven smiled. But his smile was uncertain and hard for her to decipher. Deva looked at him, taken aback.

“What do I think?” she said, wondering what sort of question this was. “I mean, he seems very nice…” her voice trailed off as she found herself lost in his eyes. Distracted, Deva’s mind raced.

“He is,” said Niven. He still hadn’t shut the door. Why didn’t he shut the door? Deva felt her heart rush as his honeyed eyes watched her closely.

Then in the distance, footsteps came. They increased rapidly until they approached the door. Deva stiffened her heart rate, quickening. By the time they were close, she was almost shaking. But when she saw the face, she gave a sigh of relief.

It was Allyth.

Almost immediately, she felt a stab of guilt. Being discovered like this, even though they were not doing anything, could be construed the wrong way.

“Miss, I have brought the baggage,” said Allyth, struggling with a large haversack that contained her clothes.

“Thanks, Allyth,” Deva said.

Without being asked, Niven helped relieve her of the bag and carried it into the center of the room, setting it down on the bed.

He looked curiously over to her. “So, this is the real Allyth then?” he said, his eyes alighting on both her and Allyth.

Deva blushed and looked away. Allyth’s face flickered a moment as if she didn’t know what was going on. Of course, she had been the one to suggest Deva use another name, but still, she seemed surprised.

Deva watched Allyth anxiously. No doubt she had gotten the wrong impression. And if she did, then there was a good chance that others might, too.