Page 25 of Tempting the Highland Captive

Ron sat down on the bed beside her and picked up the book that she had been reading. “Shakespeare,” he murmured, smiling at the page she had been open to. “A love scene, nae less.” His eyes came to meet hers and Amelia blushed.

“Are ye familiar?” she asked hesitantly not wishing to insult him or his intelligence if he were not well versed.

“Aye.” He nodded and propped his back up against the headboard. He cleared his throat softly, then began to read aloud:

It is my lady, O, it is my love!

O, that she knew she were!

Ron paused and Amelia’s heart skipped as she waited to see what he would do. She touched her face and felt the flush of her cheeks. Ron smiled and he lifted his eyes up to hers, no longer reading, he skipped many lines as he spoke from memory:

See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!

O, that I were a glove upon that hand,

That I might touch that cheek!

Saying no more, he lifted his hand to her cheek. Leaning forward, his eyes dropped down to her lips. Amelia held her breath and waited for his kiss, her heart hammering in her chest with anticipation. She felt his warm breath upon her face, as his lips held just a hair’s breadth from her own. She tangled her fingers in the front of his shirt, feeling the hard mass of muscles beneath. Leaning in to close the last little bit of distance, Amelia jumped with a start when the bedchamber door banged open behind them.

“Och,” Lucas’ sound of disapproval resonated along the stone walls of the room. “Apologies, my lady.” He bowed but did not leave. “One o’ the crofts was more affected by the fire than we thought and has collapsed. I need every man available to help get the family out.” Ron nodded, kissed Amelia’s hand, arose from the bed, then was gone. Lucas stood in the doorway for a moment longer, his eyes expressing concern. “He will be leavin’, lass, and ye will likely ne’er see him again. Is it wise tae…” his words faded as he gestured to where Ron had just been sitting on the bed.

Amelia sighed, her heart slowing to a much sadder rhythm. “I ken that he will leave,” she admitted, “but…” she could not finish, shrugging her shoulders.

“Aye,” Lucas answered, nodding in sympathy, then turned to go, “Guard yer heart, lass, for he is certain tae break it.”