by Gill, Tamara
“Aye, I’m as naked as a babe.” He winked and she let out an exasperated sigh. “If you dinna want me to join ye there, why do ye not join me in here? The day is warm, and I’m sure ye have a shift on. That will do. ’Tis what my sister swims in when she partakes in the activity.”
Could she go for a swim? She glanced behind her and just as Brice said, the house was hidden from view, and therefore eyes. It had been so many years since she’d swam and here was her chance. Not only that, here was her chance to swim with Brice. She could not turn him down.
She turned back to face him, before reaching up and unbuttoning the top of her gown. “Turn about and let me get undressed.”
Brice swore, a cold shiver running down his spine with the knowledge that he’d baited Sophie into coming into the water with him.
How the bloody hell would he keep his hands off the lass? The mere thought of her wet, practically naked and near him in the water was enough to make him hard as rock.
If he were a gentleman he would have ignored her presence, finished his swim and left, but he could not. He could not stop himself from talking to her, of asking her to join him. He was a veritable cad.
Should his sister or Elspeth catch them swimming together, scantily dressed and alone, his plans to merge the Mackintosh and Brodie clans would be a dream buried with his parents.
The idea that the lass slowly changing behind him, the sound of clothing being laid over small bushes and slippers being kicked off was also a dream he could not ignore.
He wanted her. Not just here and now, but in his bed tonight, and every night she had left in Scotland. The realization ought to shock sense into him, but it did not. It merely threw images of Sophie into his mind, her hair mussed from their lovemaking, her wide blue orbs sleepy with satisfaction.
Brice fisted his hands at his sides. How the hell was he going to keep his hands off her?
Water sloshed behind him, and he did not turn to look until he was sure her body was fully submerged. “Can I look at ye now, lass?”
“Yes, if you want.”
Oh yes, he damn well wanted to… He turned, watching as she walked out a little deeper. The linens from her shift bubbled up from behind her and he caught a glimpse of her upper thigh. The blood in his veins turned molten and he refused to leave the spot on which he stood.
I will not touch her. I will not touch her. I will not touch her.
She laughed, ducking under the water and coming up before him. “Are you not going to swim with me? We can race to the other side if you like.”
A race. Perfect. Just the thing to keep his mind and hands off the woman who was driving him to distraction.
“On my count, ready, set…” He dived forward, not waiting to say go and heard her protestations before concentrating on swimming to the other side of the river. It was only a small distance and not deep enough that he could not touch. He made the other side with little effort and turned to see her beside him. “How did ye make it so fast?”
He’d not thought she would keep up. He was a strong swimmer and she was a lass after all. More delicate and unused to such strenuous exercise.
“I swam. I will admit that I think you won, but only just. She stood facing him, her face a little flushed from effort. His heart turned in his chest and he reached for her, unable to keep away.
He tried. God damn it he tried to remain aloof, to not get attached, but it was impossible. She was simply lovely and after years of living in such a secluded location, away from society, his life already mapped out, it was nice to have a little change in his home. Not that his sister and Elspeth were dull, but that they had all grown up together, they were all, including himself, set in their ways and living a life where nothing happened.
A tiresome life if he were honest.
He hoisted her up against his chest. A growl ripped from him as she lifted her legs to wrap about his waist. She didn’t shy away from his nakedness, and he didn’t hide it from her either. She would only have to glance down and she would see how very much he enjoyed having her in his arms.
“Is this my prize, Laird?” she asked, her voice a whispery purr that made him burn.
She didn’t move or undulate against him and, blast it, he wanted her to. He wanted her to seduce him so he didn’t feel like the veritable cad who stole the innocence away from the English lass. A woman who was not for him.
What do ye want, lass? The words formed in his mind and he stood still and silent waiting for her to say anything else. He would not ask her, he could not. If he should utter those words and she say him there would be no turning back. No denying himself.
He held his body rigid, not willing to let her move or remove herself from his hold. His breath came quick, his heart beating loud in his ears as she slowly closed the space between them and kissed him.
“You may not answer my question, Brice, but I know the answer anyway.” She kissed him again, hard and deep, and he didn’t try to stop her, didn’t push her away, set her down in the water and tell her to leave. That they should not do this.
They were going to do this and he was going to damn well enjoy every minute of it.
He kissed her back, devoured her mouth and clasped the nape of her neck, moving her to his will. Her body slid against his, fitted him like a glove and he groaned when her sex, separated from him by the thinnest of material, pushed against his engorged cock.
It would take little effort to rip up her shift, grab his shaft and slide into her hot, willing body. She gasped against his mouth and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue against hers, loving that she in turn followed his lead and did the same back.
“Ye’re so beautiful, Sophie,” he whispered against her lips. She threw him a small, seductive smile that would make any man fall to his knees and kissed him back.
The sound of women’s voices floated through the trees and he stilled, before tearing Sophie off his body and placing her before him in the water, hoping his body would shield her from view.
“What is it?” she whispered, staring up at him with eyes wide with concern and still hazy with desire.
He pushed down his want of her and mouthed, “People.”
She ducked a little in the water and he turned his head as his sister and Elspeth came to stand on the opposite side of the bank.
The shocked gasp from Elspeth reached him and he was glad to see she had turned around. His sister, however, stared at him with annoyance, her arms crossed over her chest.
“If ye had not forgotten today is my day for the river. Ye may finish yer swim and go,” she said, raising one brow.
Brice fought to work out what he could do so no one was ruined here today. Not Sophie’s future and not his own with Elspeth. Not that they were engaged, but still, she was who was expected to become the next Lady Mackintosh.
“I only just arrived, Elizabeth. I’ll come get ye when I return to the house so ye may come down for a swim.” He gave them his back again, hoping that Sophie could not be seen. “I’m naked, so ’tis best if ye leave me be.”
Elspeth muttered under her breath and started off, or he assumed she walked off since the sound of leaf litter under feet could be heard. His sister, however, did not move. He cursed the stubborn lass. She was a Mackintosh to the bone.
“I dinna want to swim when the day cools, so I suggest ye get yerself out of the river and home within the next half hour. We’ll be in the upstairs drawing room when ye want to let us know that ye’re finished.”
“Right ye are, lass,” he said, not willing to argue with her a moment longer. He just needed her to leave so Sophie could return to the house unharmed and still as innocent as she arrived. He glanced down at her and found her eyes fixed on his manhood that was still painfully aroused and bobbing before her in the water.
Heat rushed his face and he covered himself, having never been more ashamed of himself in his life. What was he doing?! How could he treat her with so little respect? He ought to be horsewhipped.
Her hands came out of the water and covered his, pulling them away. With just one touch he was back to where he started before they were interrupted and he cursed the fact he’d let her do anything to him, let her ogle and touch him to her heart’s content if that is what she wished.
He was going to hell, if he were not there already.
Chapter 10
Sophie reached out and pulled Brice’s hands away, wanting to see what it was that had pressed against her sex.
She was not aware of what men’s manhood should look like or what size they came in, but something told her Brice was well-endowed and he knew it. That he knew how to make her want him and to forget all the principles she’d been brought up to follow and adhere to was another matter altogether.
His manhood bobbed in the water, just beneath the surface, but she could see it, its hardness and length. Sophie reached out, running a finger over the tip, sliding it down toward the base. His manhood jumped and she glanced up, her stomach fluttering at the heated, intense stare he bestowed upon her.
She watched him and she clasped her hand about his shaft. She stroked his length and he gasped through clenched teeth. “Did I hurt you?” she asked, releasing him.
He reached out and took her hand, placing it back on his body. “Nay. The opposite, lass.”
She bit her lip, touching him again, now taking her time in exploring. The male sex was a curious thing. Hard as steel and yet as soft as velvet. The thought of this long, thick shaft going into her made her legs clench both in fear and need. Obviously such a thing was normal and he would fit. It was what was done after all in marriage and there was no reason they would not work just as well.
His hand came over hers and showed her what to do, to tighten her hold and increase her pace. His stomach muscles clenched and she reached out with her other hand and ran her fingers over his chiseled abdomen.
“We need to stop, lass,” he said, his eyes holding hers as she continued to touch him.
Never in her life had she wanted anyone with the need that coursed through her blood right at that moment. She wanted him. Wanted him to lay claim to her. To carry her out of this water, lay her on the bed of grass along the river bank and do wicked, naughty things to her.
“Stop, Sophie,” he said, in no way reaching for her hand to stop her. She did not want to either. In fact, had they not been interrupted by his sister and Elspeth she would’ve allowed him to take her in the water.
His hand came over hers and pulled her away and he stepped back. She glanced up at him and read the determined set of his jaw and knew he’d not let her touch him again. Not here at least.
“I canna let you continue what we’re doing. ’Tis not right. Ye need to return to the house before I rip yer innocence from ye without a second thought or care.”
The voicing of his wish only made the possibility more alluring, but he was right. Elizabeth and Elspeth would be back here soon and she needed to return to the house before they were caught. It would not do anyone any good to be compromised and she did not want her sister or brother traveling to Scotland to call Brice out for his conduct.
She stood, not caring that her shift had turned transparent or that he could see every curve, every asset of her body. “I will see you at dinner.” Sophie dove back toward the opposite side of the river and swam toward where she’d left her clothes. Thankfully Elizabeth and Elspeth had not seen them when they had come down for their swim.
She dressed quickly and left, taking one last glance at Brice through the trees before she disappeared. He stood where she left him, hands clenched at his sides and head bowed. Whatever was he thinking? Or better yet, maybe he ought to stop thinking so much and simply feel. If there was one thing that Sophie was certain of after today, he was right for her. The only man who had ever stirred her heart, mind and body.
Sophie made her way through the trees, sticking to their cover for as long as she could before heading back indoors via the servants’ entrance and then stairs lest she run into Elizabeth and have to explain her wet underclothing.
Coming to the upstairs hall, she checked to ensure no one was about and headed for her room. Gretel was there to meet her, and she sighed, a displeased frown creasing her brow when she spied her dishabille.
“I apologize for the state of my clothing. I went for a swim.”
Gretel helped her undress, tsk tsking as she peeled the layers of clothing off her.
“It’s a warm day. Miss Elizabeth came by to see if you wanted to swim with them, but they’ve only just left so I can only assume you swam alone. That’s not safe, Miss Sophie.”
Sophie glanced down at her slippers, now ruined from their trek to the river and back. “The river wasn’t deep. It was perfectly safe,” she lied, not wanting Gretel to know or imagine what happened while she was there. The delectable touches, the kiss that swept her off her feet, the man who’d captured her attention, body and soul.
“I should imagine you’re looking forward to returning home after our travels. With the carriage now repaired, we’re free to leave for Moy whenever you’re ready.”
Sophie nodded, lifting her arms as Gretel pulled her shift up over her head. “I’ve actually invited Jean to come here for a visit. We’re not due back in Town for some weeks yet, and with the incident with the carriage I fear our traveling to Skye may not be possible. There is simply not enough time. But Jean may come here for a week or two and then we shall part ways from here.”
Gretel laid her wet clothing over her arm, assessing her in the same way Louise did when she was trying to figure out a puzzle. Namely her.
“You’ve grown attached to the laird,” Gretel said, sighing. “I knew you would. The moment you both saw each other I knew there would be trouble.”
Sophie frowned, reaching over to her bed and picking up her dressing gown. “And so what if I have grown attached to him. He’s eligible, and so am I. There is nothing wrong with that.”
“No, there isn’t, but do not forget he lives in the middle of nowhere. You swore when you left Sandbach that you would never move to another little hamlet with fewer than one hundred people living in it. I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but there are only two people living here plus a handful of servants. I fear if you marry the laird you’ll be bored within a week. Not to mention you’ve only just got back your sister. Have you forgotten you promised her to marry and live close to her in England so you’ll never be apart again?”
Sophie slumped onto the bed, having not forgotten, but merely ignoring her own promises. It was true, the laird did live high up in Scotland. Mackintosh land was closer to Inverness than it was to London.
Of course she’d wanted to marry and be close to her sister, but surely Louise would understand that if she loved her husband, she would be happy for her, wherever she was in the world.
“You make me sound fickle. Scotland is beautiful and I should love to live here if that is what my future holds. But a stolen kiss does not equal marriage. You’re getting ahead of yourself and above your station.”
Gretel raised her brow. “Oh no, you’re not going to pull that high-and-mighty stance with me, Sophie Grant. We were equal once and do not forget that I hold the position your sister did before she married the marquess. You’ve been my oldest friend before nobility got in the way and I’ll speak plainly and honestly with you always.”
Sophie stood, coming over to Gretel and hugging her. “I’m sorry. I did not mean what I said. I’m just so confused. Brice makes me so muddled that I do not know what I should do.”
Gretel pulled her over to the settee and sat beside her. “Please take care, that’s all I ask. And do not make any hasty decisions until you’ve spoken to your family. I like the laird, I do. His sister and their friend also, but heed what I told you some days ago. There is a rumor that he’s to wed Miss Elspeth. Promise me that you’ll ask him before anything else passes between you. I do not want to see you hurt, that’s all.”
Sophie clasped Gretel’s ha
nds, squeezing them a little. “I will ask him. I promise.” A shiver rocked her body and she huddled into the robe. “Please ring for a bath. I’m quite chilled all of a sudden.”
Gretel stood, ringing the bell beside the fireplace. “Of course. I’ll get your things ready.”
Sophie watched her disappear into her dressing room and she frowned. Gretel was right. She needed to be wary. What did she really know of the laird or his plans for his future? Nothing really. And why was Elspeth here? Of course, they were allied clans, and just like the English they had house parties and stayed at each other’s estates, but was her being here because of what Gretel had said before?
Was Elspeth expecting a proposal of marriage?
She shivered at the thought and stood, going to the fire to warm herself. The idea of Brice married to someone else, of taking her in his arms just as he took her today made her stomach twist in knots and left a sour taste in her mouth.
No matter the answer, she needed to find out the truth and then she would know what to do.
Then she would decide if he were worth risking her reputation, gambling her heart and leaving her family behind.
Chapter 11
The following evening Sophie sat in the great hall after dinner, warming herself before the fire after a cold change had blown in through the day.
The house, no matter its mammoth size was warm and welcoming and she watched the flames as they licked the wood and turned it slowly to ash.
She’d not seen Brice all day and he’d been absent from dinner the night before. Sophie wasn’t certain what to make of it. Was he avoiding her, or after Gretel’s words yesterday, was she reading into situations and circumstances more than she ought?
Elspeth too was still in residence and twice today it had been on Sophie’s tongue to try to gauge why she was a guest here. Was there an understanding between the families?
