Page 30 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“I’ll have tae take yer word for it, I suppose. I willnae have ye prove it any other way.”

He laughed, finding her so provocative that he struggled to stay reclined on the blanket against his elbow. The things she talked of stirred something in him. Eloise had a sultriness that other women struggled to produce and she didn’t even seem aware of her effect on him.

“I thought what happened in yer chamber yesterday proved there is an attraction there, Eloise.” He paused, watching her.

“Let’s nae talk about that,” she suggested, blushing a deep shade of red.

“Why nae? As I remember, ye didnae lean away. In fact, when I told ye tae tilt yer head back, ye did.”

“Ah, nae more!” she pleaded, holding up a hand. “I am nae one of yer maids, Noah. Do ye understand?” She turned on her knees to face him fully. “Ye think mere talk of attraction will make me go tae yer bed?”

Most women do.

“Would it be so bad?” he asked. “As husband and wife, we will share a bed. How else will I produce an heir? I willnae have another man sire that heir for me.”

“In the name of the wee man, is that what ye think?” She looked truly horrified, her jaw open. “Even if I didnae share yer bed, I wouldnae share another man’s.”

“Ye wouldnae?”

“Nae, never!”

He didn’t know whether to believe her or not. He could still remember how she flirted with Ian, which still rankled to his very core.

Eloise looked out to the trees beyond, seeming to lose interest in the subject. She must have been thinking of something, for her eyes darted nervously from one place to another.

“Eloise?” he said, trying to get attention, yet she didn’t turn to face him. “Eloise?” Still, there was no answer. She was so deep in thought it was as if she didn’t hear him at all. “Eloise, what is wrong?” He reached out and touched her arm. This time, he got her attention. She flinched as if he had burned her with his touch. “I ken I am nae yer favorite person at this moment, but surely I willnae hurt ye.”

“Nay, I just didnae expect it.”

“I said yer name three times.”

“Ye did?”

“Eloise, ye were deep in thought.” He chewed on his apple as her head bowed forward. It was the first time he had ever seen her do such. It didn’t suit her, but he realized after a moment that she was hiding from him. “What is it? Ye can tell me.”

“Scarlett.”

“What?” At the sound of his voice, she lifted her head, realizing her blunder. She shifted on the blanket, and her parted lips closed firmly.

“That’s what friends call me,” she explained quickly. “A nickname, because of my hair.” She gestured to her bright red hair. “Scarlett. I prefer that to Eloise.”

“Ye do?” Noah paused, forgetting the apple completely. Staring at her, he considered the name Scarlett. It suited her better, not just because of the color of her hair, but for her spirit. Scarlett suggested a woman of passion, crimson cheeks, and forbidden touches.

It suits her very well indeed.

“Then that is what I shall call ye too, if ye prefer it?” he offered. She sat taller and revealed a small smile.

“Aye, I should like that.”

“Then that’s what ye shall be, Scarlett.”

A happy smile grew on her face and continued to grow.

Ah, what has happened here suddenly?

Noah threw the rest of the apple away, realizing he was just as perplexed as his betrothed. Today should have been about infuriating her, about giving her a baptism of fire, about demonstrating how angry he was at her flirting with his brother—about completely frustrating her. That was not the case at all. He'd enjoyed her company and they both ended up smiling.

“I’ve had enough food, I think.” He stood abruptly.