“Oh, it is lady now, is it? Nae more dear, lovely Elizabeth?”
Liam could have raged, but he still kept his cool amazingly. “Just tell me, Brea. Ye ken that ye wish tae, for I can see yer uncontrolled mirth in yer eyes.”
Brea smiled. “Ye see, Liam? Ye ken me so well. She said naething at the time, for I rode away soon after, but I could tell from her face that she would consider it. Who wouldnae consider such a man? Established, wealthy, in charge of a whole powerful clan? It would be foolish tae resist when John is clearly interested in the woman. He may even be in love.”
Liam’s calm, pleasantly dazed mood of earlier was descending fast into angry thoughts. While his anger at Fergus had been full and true, it was a dull sort which could be pushed away with their friendship. However, his anger at Brea was sharp and pointed, creating sparks in his mind.
Love? Surely not. She and John had barely spoken to one another. She and Liam had seen much more of each other.
He boiled with anger to think about John’s potential as a suitor. It was true; he was any woman’s dream, and Elizabeth would not be foolish to think of him as a husband. She would be a fool, however, to think of Liam as one, and in some small, sad way, he was proud of the way Elizabeth had spoken back to Brea. He, at least, could disentangle himself from thoughts of her, for she clearly had no interest in him beyond the momentary spot of pleasure they shared together.
“I see, Brea. Thank ye for yer message. Ye are most kind tae bring it tae my attention.” To relieve the anger pulsing in his chest, he resorted to sarcasm. She turned her head to the side and grinned.
“But of course, Liam. I thought the information was urgent enough to tell ye about. I thought it might save ye a few hours of wasting yer thoughts and mind on her.” With another smirk, Brea left the inn, and he could see her place her gloves on again as she whisked her way to the door. Many a man turned their eye to her as she passed, and Liam scoffed in disgust.
“Such a beauty but such a dark heart,” he grumbled to himself. He finished his ale and ordered another. Tonight was a night to get drunk. He was done with Brea — that was absolutely certain now. He would never again allow her to have the same power over him. But the news of Elizabeth’s stark honesty was enough to sour his mood for the rest of the evening.
He was at least glad he knew beforehand so that he did not make a fool of himself again, asking Elizabeth for a walk or any other sort of activity. He could be spared that rejection. She would be wise to spend time with another more worthy of her interest. He felt all his old resolve slipping away, and in its place came a dark sort of heaviness, as he considered what his life would be like once Elizabeth left the island and moved on with her life.
He would have to see her, for she and Charlotte would often want to visit one another. She would never be totally gone, and her presence would simply torment him. He drank half of his second ale, his mind buzzing anew with mixed emotions. He heard a soft voice speaking to the innkeeper, and he turned at the melodic sound, wondering if it was one of the women come to service a customer at the inn. But when he saw the fine pale pink cape that flowed to the ground in lovely folds, he was positive it was not one of those women. It was a gentlewoman.
He scowled as he thought of Elizabeth and how she would have a fine cape such as that. She deserved to have them for the rest of her life. Someone better than he could give her that. Someone like John or an English gentleman. He would have to be content with his dirty, brainless life. He sighed and leaned back. He was able to see the innkeeper’s face as he listened to the lady.
The man struggled to understand something, but eventually, he pointed out the door and made motions as if he was providing directions. The woman turned around. In the light of the fireplace, Liam could see her full face. His eyes widened as he realized it was Lady Elizabeth Darling about to make her way to the door.
* * *
It had been simple enough, or so she’d thought. The mainland had never been bustling with buildings on the coast, and so she thought she would be able to find the house of ill-repute easily. She assumed they would be easily identified as structures. But once she had left the boat and the man had begun to row back to Duart, she was at a loss as to where to begin. She could see Fort William, but she had never ventured as far from it as she’d thought to know all of the buildings in its vicinity.
So, she would have to attempt to find her destination on her own. The excitement of her new adventure made her feel a little courageous, but after a short while walking the forest path, the sun beginning to edge its way closer to the horizon, she began to get a little fearful. Was she completely mad for having left the comfort and safety of Duart only to plunge herself purposefully into the hands of the harsh world on her own?
She certainly did not look the part of a woman who belonged in the middle of nowhere, and so she feared what sort of other people she might come upon in her vulnerable state. But then, she saw the friendly outline of a large stone building, and she rushed to it, hopeful the people inside could tell her where this house of desire was located if it was not the right building itself. She clutched tightly to the little bag of coins she brought with her, remembering her mission.
It was her plan to visit the place and to pay one of the fallen ladies to help her understand the ways of men. She also honestly wanted to hear their story and how they ended where they did. Had their fathers banished them? Had they made a poor choice and were regretting it forever? Or could they perhaps be enjoying themselves? Brea did not seem to mind her occupation, although it did prevent her from keeping a man that she enjoyed continually coming to her bed.
Once Elizabeth entered the stone house, she realized that it was not a house of ill-repute. It looked very similar to the inn she had stayed at one her way to Charlotte’s wedding, and she felt a little safer knowing that she had here to stay in case something went awry. Taking a breath, she confidently approached the innkeeper, hoping the man could direct her in the right way.
The room was warm and smelled of cooked meat and ale. It was a homey, comforting smell, and she almost wanted to sit right down and enjoy the comforts it provided, but she had a job to do. There were not too many people in the room, but she was grateful that there was at least enough to avoid anyone hearing her request.
“Excuse me, Sir. I know this must seem an odd request, but would you mind pointing me in the direction of the closest,” she lowered her voice to a whisper, “house of fallen women?”
At first, the old man looked incredulous that a fine, English lady should have asked such a question, but with the inducement of a small coin placed in his palm, he was eager to point her in the correct path.
After a few quietly spoken directions, Elizabeth felt that she could confidently find her way in the light of the moon. It would not be so very far if she had but the courage to get there. And so she would. This experience could change everything about her future life, and she was tired of always sitting timidly by, in the shadows. She wanted to come forth into the light.
She turned to the doorway, and squaring her shoulders and clutching her cape, she walked to it, but then she felt a tug on her arm. Confused and a little fearful, she turned to the source of the tug and saw Liam MacLean, lifted out of his chair, holding tightly to her wrist.
As if his mere presence caused her discomfort, she blushed immediately. She knew it was partially because of her current mission. “Liam,” she said, “What are you doing here?”
She certainly knew what he was doing there, but she expected him to be at the house of ill-repute as was his wont, or so Brea had said.
He kept standing next to the table, but then he motioned to the chair across. “I could ask ye the same question, Elizabeth. What would bring ye, a fine English lass, out here in the middle of the night?”
Elizabeth did not sit but instead clasped her hands together as she tried to create a plausible explanation that was not so humiliating. “I had an interest to come and see General Andrews. I know that he is
lonely during the time after his daughter’s marriage, and since he was so kind to me, I thought he might like a little company.”
Liam’s expression made it seem like he did not believe her. “Will ye sit and take a drink with me?”
Elizabeth thought about that possibility for a second. Her very first thought was to the indecorousness of her sitting with a gentleman on her own, but then she remembered she was about to visit a house of desire to inquire as to the methods of its occupants.
She sat down, and Liam looked satisfied, if not just a little bit drunk and tired. “It seems that General Andrews is a lucky man, tae have such a visitor and at such a time.”
Elizabeth looked around her, afraid to catch Liam’s eyes. “Well, I know that it sounds foolish, but I was interested in walking the woods a little, and I am afraid that I lost my way in the dark The moon is not as full as I had hoped for my mission.” She coughed to correct herself. “My visit.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned back, his arms crossed over his chest. “Ye puzzle me, Sassenach.”
And you puzzle me.
Liam waved a hand to the innkeeper and pointed to his pint glass. “I say that if ye are tae experience a true inn, then ye will take a drink with me. If ye dinnae like it, I will have the rest.”
Elizabeth smiled and watched with interest as the innkeeper brought her a frothy mug of ale and set it before her.
“Is this ale?” she asked. Liam burst into laughter.
“Aye, lass. ‘Tis ale. Have ye never had it?”
She shook her head. “No, it is not the way of the English lady. I was never allowed to do such things.”
Liam took a sip. “Drink yer ale. I am certain ye were nae. Ye were nae allowed to do many things, such as kiss a man on a hilltop?”
Elizabeth had just taken a sip from her mug, but then at Liam’s words, spit it out again all over the table. Instead of reacting, Liam just laughed, while Elizabeth blushed deeply. She looked blankly at the table in front of her.
“By God, I am so sorry.” She touched a hand to her face. “Perhaps I should not be drinking after all. Even one sip has made me careless.”
Liam said, “I dinnae think ye have ever been careless in yer life, Lady Elizabeth. Ye are ever and always a complete Lady. Such a contrast tae me rough ways.”
Elizabeth wiped her mouth with her fingertips, still feeling the pang of embarrassment. “Well, I was always intended to be a lady.” She took another sip, and this time drank deep from it, hoping it gave her the same courage as wine.
“Well, ye have achieved yer goal. Now about that hilltop.”
Elizabeth winced. “’Twas a moment of thoughtlessness and passion.”
Liam smiled, and Elizabeth could see the warmth of alcohol spread in his face. But as she continued to sip from her mug, she did not mind. Time seemed to slow. “Passion, was it?”
Elizabeth took a breath and paused as she stared into his eyes. It had been passion. A passion that had stemmed from a deep and longing need deep inside of her. It still rumbled underneath the surface, and there would be no quelling it. It had awoken as soon as she and Liam had first touched lips, and now it was a hungry animal, desperate for satiation.
“I suppose so. Does that bother you?”
Liam sat up, his eyebrow lifted. “Nae at all, but I do have a couple of questions.”
Elizabeth licked her lips, unsure of why her head was so fuzzy or why her heart had calmed into a lovely, steady rhythm as she stared into his green eyes. She took another drink. “I suppose the drink will help me prepare for this. What are your questions?”
Liam looked as though he was thinking. His lips were pursed, and his eyes searched around as he pondered which questions to ask. “I would like tae know if ye are happy, lass? Once ye leave here, what do ye plan tae do next?”
Elizabeth blinked in surprise at him. She was speechless. Never before had a man asked her a question like that. Charlotte had asked her, but no one else. Her family had only deigned to inform her of her next steps, and she had never had time to think about what she really wanted. What did she want to do/?
If she took a moment to think about, without the promise to her mother and father, with her father’s illness pressuring her into action, what did she truly desire?
“I honestly do not know that I can say. But as of right now, I desire to be happy and to be free, with no one telling me what I must say, do, or how I should act.”
Liam smiled. “Ye certainly have been making yer needs known, lass.”
Elizabeth blushed a little again, but she no longer felt embarrassed. That same feeling of rebellion, that fire of doing something different, was still alight in her, and she would not let it fade out, but she remembered what she wanted to do.
“I hope so. Liam, I am sorry, but I must be going. I have plans this evening.”
She drank the rest of her mug and stood. Liam replied, “Och yes, ye must return tae the Fort in order tae visit with General Andrews. Are ye certain he kens yer arrival? ‘Tis late.”
Elizabeth nodded a little lamely. She could see the suspicion in Liam’s eyes, and her mind wanted to tell him the truth. It really did. Instead, she changed tack. “You are right. I could not possibly bother him now. I will visit in the morning, and I will ask the innkeeper for a room to stay in tonight.”
“Good idea. Ye sit then. I will do that for ye.” Elizabeth nodded, feeling warm and courageous all over again. It was like the wedding once more, where she felt like she could do anything. Perhaps she did not need the women of the house to help advise her. Perhaps she should follow her own instincts and take the chance when it came to her. She watched Liam’s strong back as he leaned over the bar speaking to the innkeeper.
She wanted him. The need suddenly flared up in her like a leaping and hungry flame devouring a dry stick. She finally dared to admit it. She wanted Liam MacLean, and she hoped that he would want her. Perhaps tonight was her night to experience a man she had chosen for herself for the first and last time. Charlotte had encouraged her to experience things so that she could make informed decisions. It suddenly seemed like the most logical thing in the world.
Liam turned around with a smile, dangling a key in his hand. “For ye, lass. I hope ye rest well. I shall accompany ye –”
Elizabeth didn’t give him a chance to continue. She leaned forward, grabbed his strong, rough hand in her own delicate one, and with a slight grin on her lips, pulled him towards the stairwell.
Chapter Fourteen
Liam’s first reaction was shock and awe when he saw Elizabeth in the small, rough inn. She seemed oddly placed. He could never have pictured her in a place like that with her pink lips, golden curls, and a face of pale innocence. Despite what Brea had said to him about Elizabeth’s lack of interest in him, he found he had to talk to her. Elizabeth Darling would not be around forever, and he needed to take the opportunity while it was before him.
She was walking away from the innkeeper towards the door, and instinctively, without any thought, he reached out to grab her wrist. He was surprised at his reaction. It was like his body had taken over and was working on its own without logic.
When she turned to face him, a small gasp escaped her lips. The sight of her bright blue eyes made his heart melt. He had struggled to utter his first words, but somehow they came out, and then she was sitting before him, a smile on her face. Liam still was looking at her with surprise. He wasn’t sure how she had done it or when it had happened, but Elizabeth Darling had caught hold of his heart.
He hated that she had spoken of him in such a way to Brea, that she had not even considered him to be someone that meant something because she meant something to him. When the realization hit him, it felt like a pleasant ache, and it changed his entire mood. He was smiling, he was joking, and he brought up the moment on the hilltop.
She had avoided the question for the most part, but she had mentioned passion, and that gave him a flicker of hope, but he never expected what was
happening right then. Wordlessly, Elizabeth was leading him up the stairwell of the inn. He looked around, wondering if others were seeing what was happening or if he was merely in a dream. The other occupants of the tavern didn’t seem to notice much, for they were so deep in their cups, but a few looked up at the sight of a pale pink cape fluttering behind a tall, lovely woman.
However, it didn’t matter what they thought if they thought anything. His focus was entirely on Elizabeth as they ascended the steps, and his mind was working too fast for him to focus on stating anything clearly. His whole body was thrumming with heat and a renewed desire. She paused and turned around to him to whisper, “Which room is mine?”
Liam blinked and handed her the key, pointing lamely at the door in front of them. She took the key but didn’t release his hand as she found the door and fitted the key into the lock. Once it opened, she turned to him, and Liam could see a flush in her cheeks. They stood awkwardly in the doorway for a moment while Liam waited for her to speak. He could tell that something was on her mind.
Seduction in the Highlands: By choosing him she loses her inheritance, by leaving him she brakes her heart... Page 13
