Page 43 of Seduction in a Kilt

“She looks very pretty in that dress,” he managed to say in what he hoped was a normal voice, ignoring Magnus’s grin. “’Tis quite a change tae see her lookin’ like that instead of a lad.”

Effie chuckled. “I dinnae think she likes dressin’ as a lad. Rather, the circumstances she’s found herself in have called fer it. I can tell ye, she was as excited as any young lass when she was decidin’ what tae wear fer the cèilidh. I get the impression from what she’s told me that she didnae have the happiest life back with her braither. She seems tae have missed out on quite a lot of things that most young ladies take fer granted. Enjoyin’ hersel’, fer instance.”

That attracted Liam’s attention, and he dragged his eyes from Ivy to look at Effie. At the same time, he was aware of the dance beginning to wind down. He drank his ale to the dregs. “Aye, the man’s a pig. He has nay idea of how tae treat his sister properly,” he told her, finding himself getting angry with MacAlister again.

Realizing he needed a few minutes to compose himself after the shock of seeing Ivy, he decided to replenish his ale. “Excuse me, Effie, Magnus, I’m just gonnae fetch mesel’ another drink. Can I get ye anythin’ while I’m there?” he asked for politeness’ sake.

“Nay, lad, I’m all right,” she told him, holding up a half-full goblet of wine. “Magnus is keepin’ me topped up,” she added with a giggle.

“Excuse me, then.” He went over to the table, filled his tankard, and swallowed another quick dram while he was at it. Usually, he would not drink so much so quickly, but after seeing Ivy looking so stunning in that crimson dress, he felt more nervous than ever about coming face to face with her.

He truly wanted to have a good time along with everyone else, just as Ivy had told Effie she did. The ale and the whisky were helping to smooth away that niggling anxiety. While he was at the table, he fell into conversation with some of the military men he had been working with on the training of Knox’s army. However, the whole time, his eyes were on Ivy and Knox.

As soon as the dance ended and another was announced, he excused himself and walked casually over to a point where he would intercept the couple. He had decided it was time for Ivy to dance with him.

“Fer the sake of the Wee Man, Ivy, will ye stop sayin’ melaird? Me name’s Knox, and I’d be obliged if ye’d use it,” Laird Stewart puffed as he and Ivy linked

arms and skipped to the left in a half circle and switched arms and went back the other way to the fast beat of the music. “Just dinnae wear it out,” he added with a cheeky wink.

As they repeated the maneuver, Ivy threw her head back and laughed gaily. She felt almost lightheaded from the excitement and exertion of the dance. “If that’s what ye wish, melaird,” she replied teasingly.

While she was enjoying herself immensely, a part of her was aware that Knox found her attractive by the way he looked and spoke to her. He was certainly a handsome, well-set up fellow, with his dark, good-looks and kind, easy-going nature. Any woman would think him braw, she knew. Laird Stewart was a catch, no doubt about it.

Yet she could not help noticing that, for some bizarre reason, his compliments never made her blush the way just one glance from Liam could. His hand on her waist did not feel like it was burning her skin, as it did when Liam touched her. And when she looked into his bright, laughing eyes, which were fit to beguile any red-blooded lady, she did not tremble or go weak at the knees, as almost always happened with Liam.

Knox only made her relax and laugh and feel merry, as she might with any friend. And despite all the time they had spent together, that seldom happened with Liam. There was always something hovering in the air between them, a tension, like a coiled spring waiting to be released.

This was perplexing enough. Moreover, she had to admit to herself that while she was throwing herself into dancing with Knox, her mind was actually on Liam. Without even noticing she was doing it, her eyes continually searched for him among the crowd of guests, but in vain.

It was only when the dance was over, and Knox was escorting her back to the rest of their group that she saw him. As soon as she laid eyes upon him, a jolt ran through her entire body from head to toe, leaving her feeling weak. He seemed just as much at ease in his half kilt, snowy linen shirt, with its ruffled jabot at his throat, and tight-fitting jacket of light blue as he did in his everyday leather trews and buff jerkin.

Ivy could not prevent her eyes from wandering all over him, for the outfit showed off his athletic, muscular build and hard, masculine beauty to perfection. With his long dark hair falling over his shoulders, he was stunning, as proud and powerful and beautiful as the stag.

When their eyes met, a wave of heat washed over her entire body, making her cheeks flame, leaving her in no doubt they must be as crimson as her dress. When Knox made a bee-line for him, pulling her along and exclaiming, “Ah, there’s the man I’ve been waitin’ tae see!”, Ivy had the odd feeling Liam had been waiting for her. The very idea stirred something deep within her and set her trembling afresh.

“A good evenin’ tae ye, Mr. Tavish, so ye decided tae show yer face after all, eh?” Knox greeted him jovially, clapping him on the arm, his other still linked with Ivy’s, keeping her at his side. She really would have liked him to release her, for she thought she saw something flicker in Liam’s dark eyes that resembled displeasure. But it was gone as soon as she noticed it, so she put it down to her imagination or the candlelight.

“I’m nae so late, Knox, ye just started early, ’tis all,” Liam replied with a smile that made Ivy’s heart skip a beat.

“Well, I’m nae complainin’, it’s given me the chance tae have Ivy all tae mesel’ fer a while,” the laird told him with obvious glee, which Ivy found a little puzzling. Still clamped to Knox’s side, she stood listening to them talk for several minutes and had the distinct feeling some form of male communication was going on she was not privy to. She passed the time covertly admiring Liam from beneath her lowered eyelids.

All around them, people were rushing to fill the dance floor before the new tune began in earnest. Suddenly, just as she was running her gaze up and down Liam’s long legs and wondering what he had on under his kilt, a woman came up to join them.

She was tall and blonde and beautiful, with big green eyes, a tiny waist, and an impressive bosom. Her gown was clearly expensive, a lilac satin cut so low at the bust one might have thought that with the slightest encouragement, her plump breasts would have burst out of it.

“Knox! There ye are! I’ve been lookin’ fer ye. Sorry we’re a wee bit late, but faither had some business tae attend tae, and we couldnae leave until he’d finished,” she cried excitedly, her face attractively flushed.

To Ivy’s relief, Knox immediately released her arm and stepped forward to meet the glamorous newcomer. “Why, Helena, ’tis grand tae see ye, lassie,” Knox cried, clearly delighted. The pair exchanged enthusiastic kisses in greeting like old friends. “Ye’ve arrived at just the right time. I was lookin’ fer a new dancin’ partner. Will ye dae me the honor?”

“Aye, I will, but in a wee while if ye dinnae mind. I need a drink. I have a thirst on me like the very devil,” Helen replied, flashing her large green eyes at him.

“Then by God, I’ll join ye,” Knox replied, offering her his arm gallantly.

But she did not take it. Instead, she looked up at Liam with frank appreciation from beneath a pair of long, fluttering eyelashes. “But wait a moment, Knox, dinnae be so hasty. We cannae just rush off before ye introduce me tae yer big, braw friend here. He’s new.” She smiled toothsomely at Liam. He smiled back, and Ivy felt the stirrings of jealousy in her chest.

“Och, aye, me apologies,” Knox said. “This gentleman here is me new military advisor, Liam MacTavish. Liam, meet Lady Helen MacDuff, the daughter of Laird Donnal MacDuff of Glenmarion.”

Ivy could only stand and watch, a false smile pasted on her lips, as Liam performed a perfect bow and kissed Lady Helen’s hand. “A pleasure tae meet ye, Lady Helen,” he said smoothly, flashing the lady another of his brilliant smiles.