Page 18 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“I beg your pardon?” He had cut her off with such speed, she missed what he said.

“Allow me tae make myself clear.” He stepped closer and, to his surprise, she didn’t back off. She only angled back, tipping her head to look at him. Her bow-shaped lips were so close now that he wondered what they’d taste like, though he refrained from exploring the possibility. “I have never forced a woman tae share my bed, Eloise. I never would, and I never have. Ye are safe. Believe me, if I ever take ye tae bed, it will be because we both want it and for nae other reason.”

Silence fell between them. Neither one blinked as they looked at one another. So much tension hovered in the air that he half-wondered if she was considering the idea.

“Perhaps the idea doesnae horrify ye so much,” he speculated, not resisting the opportunity to plague her as he watched a blush spread across her face and neck. He followed the blush down to the cleavage on display at her neckline. She plainly noticed and he heard a strangled sound as her eyes went wide.

“If ye expect me tae share yer bed, ye laird, then ye should try kindness. Trust me, nothing less than that could induce me tae share myself with anyone.” She stepped back, noticing that the attraction surrounding them began to dissipate. Deep down, she was tempted to change her mind, but not now. “I am tired of marching around yer castle on what ye call a tour. Yer boredom tells me yer nae pleased with my presence here.”

“I didnae say that.”

“Yet ye show it at every opportunity. I will retire to my chamber now to rest and change before dinner. Good day, my laird.” She curtsied and inclined her head. “I believe ye accomplished yer purpose for this meeting.” With those final words, she hurried away, heading for the door. Noah stared after her, feeling guilt begin to swell in his gut.

Yes, he disliked her flirting with Ian, which led to his callousness, but the chief reason for his brusque manner was his irritation at finding himself attracted to her.

Nae wonder she thinks the worst of me.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Thank ye, but I dinnae need—oh!” Scarlett almost leaped away from the young girl assigned to be her maid. She had not expected the maid to come so close or to lift the gown over her head.

“I am sorry, me lady,” the young maid said, offering an alternative gown from the coffer packed with Eloise’s apparel. “It will only take a short time tae dress ye. Here is yer gown for the evening.”

Scarlett nodded, impressed. It was a fine gown indeed. Eloise has had a very different life than mine, wearing such gowns all the time.

“Do ye like it?” the maid asked, seeking Scarlett’s approval.

“Oh, aye; thank ye, Julia,” Scarlett responded.

“Now, let us first get ye out of the gown ye arrived in.” Julia skillfully untied the laces at the back.

Scarlett closed her eyes in embarrassment. She had always dressed herself; it felt strange to be attended to this way. She could remember playing with straw sticks as a child when Athol tossed a cotton arisaid into the room, ordering her to dress herself before walking away. It had taken a few attempts, but she managed it eventually.

Scarlett tripped on the hem as she stepped out of her gown and went flying. She collided with the dressing screen and both she and the screen landed on the floor, leaving the poor maid Julia with her hands clapped over her mouth in shock.

Scarlett felt embarrassment flood her face as she slowly clambered to her feet, rubbing a sore spot on her hip where she now expected a bruise. I cannae change with a maid watching me. I dinnae wish tae be seen!

“I think that is enough for one day,” Scarlett said, trying to be calm despite her humiliation. “Julia, thank ye; I will finish changing myself.”

“Are ye sure, me lady? These ties are rather difficult,” she gestured to the new dress on the bed.

“I’ll be fine, thank ye.” Scarlett waited with bated breath as Julia curtsied and departed. The moment she was gone, Scarlett slammed a fist on the table in frustration. “Ow, well, that was a wise idea, wasnae?” she berated herself, looking around the chamber. “What a day… what a strange day.”

The chamber was a fine one, and she was shocked that the laird gave her such a room when he made it plain he wasn’t thrilled by her presence. On one side of the chamber was a bed plush with furs and pillows. On the other were tables, coffers, a cabinet full of drinks and curiosities, as well as a fine painting on the wall of the hills on Chattan land.

“Why give this tae me?” she mused, looking around the room as she thought back to her meeting with the laird, grimacing at the error she had made of mistaking Ian for him. She had even tried to flirt, to be overly sweet just to annoy him. It now made sense as to why she left him tongue-tied rather than put off or perhaps pleased.

The laird must have witnessed some of her flirtation, for he had referred to it. Even now, the anger on his face made her tremble, but not out of fear. There was something about his face that fueled desire within her.

She thought of things the courtesans had talked of in the tavern. Such things that she had never dwelt on before now seemed not so dreadful at all. With such a man as Laird Chattan she could imagine lust being pleasurable. Yet, that very thought made her angrier at him.

“Tonight will be different,” she vowed, reaching for the corset around her waist and adjusting the laces in front. “Tonight, I shallnae engage in arguments and willnae stare at the laird, either. Nae good can come from lusting after him, especially one that may well marry me sister.” Realizing the truth of the matter, she shuddered and reached for her gown on the bed. “I shall be quiet, say very little, and if he speaks tae me, adjust my manner entirely. Aye, that is what I shall do.”

She threaded herself into the dress and reached behind her, desperately trying to tie the laces together. She managed a few, but the top laces were too difficult—it was impossible to grab them at the proper angle in order to set them straight.

“Oh, nae! I shouldnae have sent Julia away!” In a fury, she hastened to find her shoes and slipped them on, nearly tripping in the overly high heels. How on earth had Eloise walked around in such shoes all these years? She set herself straight and opened the chamber door, peering out, hoping that Julia would be just a little distance down the corridor waiting for her. “Julia?” she hissed, nervous at seeing someone else in the corridor.

Scarlett stepped out, cursing under her breath, holding the back of her gown together in case anyone appeared. She called the maid's name again, but there was no response.