by Darcy Burke
He stopped and faced her. “Please don’t. I’m still Tavish—to you.”
“Will you tell me something else?”
“Anything.”
“How do you really help these Jacobites?”
He hesitated and saw her reaction—a darkening of her eyes and stiffening of her hand on his arm. “The only reason I’m reluctant to tell you—and I realize the same is true of Lann Dhearg and who I really am—is because the more you know, the more danger that knowledge presents for you. If an English soldier thought you could help him find Jacobite soldiers, he might go to any length to get that information out of you.”
She lifted her free hand to her mouth. “That’s—” She didn’t finish her thought. Instead, she lifted her chin. “I would still like to know, but I’ll understand if you don’t tell me in order to keep these men safe.”
“That is my primary concern.” He gave her a slight smile. “If I tell you, I’ll just have to keep you close.”
The darkness in her gaze shifted, heating as she edged closer to him. “Like this?”
“Perhaps a trifle closer.” He put his free hand on her waist.
“Don’t tell me,” she breathed as she put her hand on his chest. “I would hate to be the cause of putting someone in danger. Especially after all you’ve done to help them.” She pushed her hand up and cupped the side of his neck.
“Someday, I will,” he whispered just before he put his lips on hers.
He took his arm from beneath her hand and clasped her back, drawing her against him. She tipped her head back as he plundered her mouth. With every brush of her lips and sweep of her tongue, he recalled the kisses they’d shared in Dunkeld, kisses that had owned his dreams these past two years.
After several long moments, they parted. His heart beat a rapid pace. Her lips were kiss reddened, her pupils dilated.
“You are a sorcerer, I think,” she whispered. “Are you sure you aren’t descended from Merlin?”
He chuckled. “I am sure.” Then he stroked his thumb along her cheek. “I really am sorry.”
A snowflake fell and landed on her nose. He licked it off, and she laughed. “We should get back to the inn.”
He didn’t disagree, but he had a goal to accomplish. “I need to find the sword.”
“Oh! Of course. We didn’t get to that part, did we? There were too many things to share.”
“Particularly the kisses.”
She blushed. Then she took a step back, and cold air swept between them. “What happened to you and the sword at Culloden?”
He offered her his arm once more. “I was wounded, and I lost consciousness. When I awoke, someone had dragged me from the battlefield. I went back the next day, but of course, Lann Dhearg was gone.”
She put her hand on his sleeve, and they continued toward the inn. “You’ve been looking for it ever since.”
He nodded. “In the wrong hands, it can cause incalculable destruction. The fire it can cause is particularly hard to extinguish. If someone with evil intent were to wield it, there’s no telling what could happen.”
“Is Neil Kerr the only person with a firsthand account?”
“As far as I’ve found. Everyone else who has heard of it was either lying about having seen it, or it’s the same as the other men from the inn—someone they knew saw it.” He wanted to make sure she understood his intent. “Let me be clear: I want to find Neil Kerr to keep him safe. If he can help me locate the sword, I will be grateful. But that is not a requirement for my assistance.”
“I didn’t think it was. I’m the one who demanded a trade.” She grimaced.
“I thought you were flirting.”
She laughed, a lovely sound that encircled his heart with warmth and joy. “I probably was. I don’t have much experience with that, I’m afraid.”
“Good.”
She jerked her head to the side and blinked at him. “Jealous?”
“Maybe. When I accompany you to Dunkeld on the morrow—or the next day, if it snows too much tonight—I may want to find this cretin who wanted to handfast.”
A sardonic smile lifted her lips. “Don’t bother. He found a willing party. Their year was up in August, and neither wanted to continue. He decided to leave Dunkeld.”
“How fortunate for him.”
“What would you have done?”
He shrugged. “Just made sure he didn’t bother you again.”
“Oh, I quite took care of that.” She gave him a confident smile.
He let out a loud laugh. “I would have liked to have seen that. And I am not the least surprised. I should have known you wouldn’t need my protection.”
“It’s still nice to know you would have given it.”
“Any time, Miss Marshall.”
As they neared the inn, it seemed their gait slowed.
“You may call me Elspeth. And probably should if you plan to continue kissing me.”
“Will you allow me to?”
“So long as you don’t lie.”
“I meant what I said.” He bent his head and spoke next to her ear. “I look forward to more kisses.” He felt the tremor that ran through her and smiled.
She exhaled. “They shall have to wait as I must go check on my aunt. I’ll see you at dinner?”
“Yes. I think I may do a little exploring and see if I can learn anything about Neil Kerr. I do wonder if Dougal wasn’t entirely truthful, not that I blame him. He is clearly worried for his brother, as he should be.”
They walked into Balthazar’s yard, and she took her hand from his arm. “You’ll find him. I suspect you’re exceptionally good at that.”
He turned toward her, his body thrumming with desire. “I’m good at whatever I put my mind to, Elspeth. I hope you’ll remember that.”
Chapter Five
After dropping her gloves and cloak in her chamber, Elspeth knocked on the adjoining door to her aunt’s room. She was still working on reining in the tumult of emotions and thoughts rioting in her brain.
“Come in!” Aunt Leah called. “How was your walk?”
“Very nice, but I’m afraid it’s started to snow again.” Elspeth crossed to the window. “So far it’s light, but that could change.”
Aunt Leah sat in a cushioned chair positioned in front of the fireplace. Her room was larger and had a bit more furniture than Elspeth’s. “Do you think we’ll be able to leave tomorrow?”
“I don’t know. Mr. MacLean wasn’t sure either.”
One of Aunt Leah’s sable brows arched with interest. “Oh, you saw Mr. MacLean?”
“On my walk, yes.” He was already taking up a good portion of space in her head, and now talking about him almost made it seem he was here in the room. Which was silly.
Yet why else would her body be tingling? It seemed to only do that when he was around. Or when she was thinking about him, apparently.
All of this was ridiculous. She should still be angry with him, shouldn’t she? He’d lied about, well, nearly everything.
He’d also had reasonable explanations for why he’d done so.
“I like him,” Aunt Leah was saying as Elspeth dragged herself from the distraction of thinking of Tavish. Rather, Lord bloody Strathclyde. “It seems you do too. Also, that he likes you in return. Would I be wrong to hope for a match? I admit I would hate for you to move to Glasgow, but it would be so lovely to see you wed. My brother—your father, that is—would think so too.”
Oh dear, Elspeth wasn’t sure how she felt about Aunt Leah trying to marry her off to Tavish—Lord Strathclyde. “I think it’s too soon to think of such things, let alone discuss them.” Sharing kisses was one thing, but Elspeth couldn’t see where a lord would marry someone like her. Surely, he’d wed a daughter of an earl or someone similar.
And yet, if that were the case, why would he be kissing her? A seed of hope burrowed itself into her chest. Then she promptly thrust the thought from her mind in favor of something far more important: finding Lann Dhearg.
“Would you like some tea, Aunt?” Elspeth asked.
“Why yes, that would be lovely.”
“I’ll go and ask Carrie.” Elspeth went downstairs in search of the innkeeper’s daughter.
Upon entering the common room, she saw Balthazar himself perched on a stool behind the bar, brushing his beard. She didn’t particularly want to interrupt his toilet, so she ducked behind the stairs and found a narrow corridor that presumably led to the rooms where Balthazar and Carrie lived.
“Miss Marshall,” Carrie said with a touch of surprise as she came from the kitchen. She wiped her hands on her apron. “Do ye need something?”
“Yes, please. My aunt would like some tea.”
Carrie nodded. “Ye’re back from visiting Dougal, then?”
“I am.”
“Did ye get the story ye wanted?”
Not even close. Elspeth recalled her conversation with Carrie that morning. It seemed she might know Neil Kerr. Perhaps she had information that could help them find him. “Partially,” Elspeth answered. “I would love to speak with his brother.”
Carrie looked away, as she’d done that morning. She also fidgeted with her apron. “I dinna ken where he is.”
Elspeth hadn’t even asked, which made her wonder if Carrie did in fact know where Neil was. Perhaps if she knew Tavish wanted to help him, she might reveal his location. Before Elspeth could think of how to tell Carrie about Tavish, Carrie said she’d fetch the tea for Aunt Leah and took herself off.
Frowning after the redhead, Elspeth considered following her to the kitchen. Except the woman was nervous, perhaps even frightened. If she feared Neil would be captured, that would make sense.
Elspeth turned and went back toward the stairs. She wanted to tell Tavish what she’d learned. Perhaps together they could talk to Carrie.
But where was Tavish now? Pausing at the bottom of the stairs, Elspeth considered looking for him outside. Surely he’d come in by now? His room was on the second floor… She’d try there first.
After climbing two flights of stairs, she emerged onto a small landing. There were only two doors, one to her right and one straight ahead at the end of the narrow corridor. Which one was his?
Taking a deep breath, she went to the door on the right. She lifted her hand to knock, but didn’t. Looking at the positions of the doors and taking her knowledge of the inn’s layout into account, she surmised this room was probably about the same size as hers, whereas the one at the end of the corridor would be quite large. What if that wasn’t a single room at all, but a door to more rooms?
She didn’t have time to dither. She was going to try this chamber first. Before she could knock, the door creaked open. Tavish stood on the other side, his eyes widening with surprise. “Elspeth.”
She exhaled with relief. “This is your room.”
“It is indeed. I heard a creak outside the door and thought someone must be here. Come in.”
Elspeth swept inside and surveyed the chamber. There was a narrow bed and small table with a single chair situated in front of the hearth. The pitched roof and dormer window made the room seem cramped. “Do you have to crouch in here?”
“Somewhat. I mostly stick to the taller side of the room. It’s not as if I’ve spent much time here.”
“You could probably move downstairs. The inn isn’t full as it was last night.” In addition to the soldiers, a few other guests had left on horseback after breakfast.
“I considered that, but as I am not spending much time in here, I didn’t want to trouble Balthazar or Carrie.” He lifted a shoulder. “Besides, the room is rather cozy.”
She didn’t disagree, especially with the cheery fire, which actually made the chamber a touch warm. Or, she realized, that could be the result of his presence. That thrilling sensation she’d felt earlier when she’d been speaking to Aunt Leah returned far more intensely.
“What brings you up here?” he asked.
Elspeth blinked. Yes, she had a purpose here that didn’t involve beguilement. “I wanted to tell you about Carrie.”
A crease formed between his brows. “The serving maid?”
Elspeth nodded. “When I asked her how to find Mr. Kerr this morning, she seemed slightly agitated. I credited that to her concern for someone who was perhaps trying to evade capture. Then I just spoke with her again—she asked me if I’d found him and gotten my story—and she was as nervous as before. She said she didn’t know where Mr. Kerr’s brother is, but, and this is the really strange part, I didn’t even ask her if she knew.”
Tavish stroked his chin, his brows dipping pensively. “That certainly sounds like she might know where he is.”
“I had the sense she was afraid. Or worried. If she does know where Neil is, I don’t think she’ll reveal where he’s hiding.” Elspeth moved closer to where Tavish stood where the ceiling was tall enough to accommodate his height. “I thought perhaps we could persuade her to tell us if she knew you planned to help him remain safe from capture.”
He grinned, his eyes lighting with admiration. “That’s a brilliant idea.”
Elspeth felt inordinately flattered. “Thank you.”
“You are an excellent partner,” he said softly, taking her hand. Anticipation curled through her.
“I do want to help you find Lann Dhearg, and not just because I want the story.”
“I know that.” He lifted her hand to his chest, his fingers stroking and tangling with hers. His gaze drifted toward the window, and the crease between his brows returned. “The sun has come out again.”
Elspeth couldn’t tear her eyes from his. “The snow stopped?”
“Sadly.”
“Sadly?”
“I admit I was looking forward to having to spend at least one more night—in addition to tonight—here. With you.”
The sensation she felt was far more than flattery. “Were you?” The question was quiet but daring, almost breathless.
“Mmm, yes.” He lifted his other hand and caressed her temple, her cheek, her jaw.
Elspeth nearly closed her eyes. His touch stirred a pulse deep within her, a desire she’d never known. She swayed toward him so that their hands were trapped between their chests. “You probably shouldn’t kiss me again.”
“Why not?” His thumb stroked her lower lip.
She sucked in a breath and nearly brought the digit into her mouth. She was an utter wanton. “You’re a—” She fought to retain her control lest she throw all the caution she had out the window to her right. “You’re a lord.”
His eyes narrowed, and the tone of his voice changed. “Do you think I would take advantage? That I would expect—”
Elspeth took her hand from between them and put her fingertips on his mouth. She shook her head. “No, I don’t think that. I meant that we are from different backgrounds. While I enjoy kissing you—very much—we probably should not.”
A slow smile curled across his mouth. “You enjoy kissing me?”
She nodded, her heart clenching at how handsome he was when he smiled.
“Your background is immaterial.” He grimaced. “I don’t mean that it’s not important. I mean that my being a lord is…” He exhaled. “I am utterly botching this. Let me start again.” He cupped the side of her head. “Any difference of background between us is of no consequence to me. If you’re wondering whether a lord might consider a future with you, the answer is that this lord absolutely would.”
“Oh.” Joy bubbled up inside her. She couldn’t stop herself from smiling rather giddily.
“As to whether we should kiss, I suppose you have a point. It’s bad enough that you’re up here in my room alone with—”
Elspeth curled her hands around his neck and pulled his head down to kiss him. The moment his mouth met hers, her body seemed to melt. She fell against him, and he caught her, sweeping his hands to her back and holding her tightly. Their lips molded together, sealing in a delicious kiss that burned through her.
Stra
ngely, she thought of who he really was—not a lord, but the descendant of a legendary king, a man about whom stories had been told for over a millennium. To someone like her, the realization was almost heady, as if she herself had stepped into a legend.
Or perhaps she was merely kissing one.
Elspeth was more than aware that they were alone in his chamber, where there was a bed. She was not so innocent that she’d never been kissed before, that she didn’t know what went on in a bed. She’d just never met anyone who’d made her want to experience it for herself.
Heat and desire seared through her as he deepened their kisses. Despite the clothing between them, she felt the hard planes of his body, and the hard bulge of his sex pressed to her. An ache began in her core and spread up her abdomen, swelling her breasts. Then, almost as if conjured by her thoughts, his hand moved under her arm and cupped her breast through her clothes.
She gasped as he took his lips from hers and kissed along her jaw. The bliss of his mouth against her flesh pushed her to cast her head back so he could have his fill of her if he wanted. She desperately hoped he wanted.
“Elspeth,” he whispered against her, his tongue swirling over her earlobe and then lower along her neck. All the while, his hand cupped and caressed her breast. How she longed to feel his flesh bare against her. Wanton was perhaps not a strong enough word to describe her behavior, but she didn’t care. She wanted this. She wanted him.
“We should stop,” he murmured even as he did nothing of the sort. His mouth trailed down to the hollow at the base of her throat.
He abruptly stepped back from her. “It’s best if we pause our, uh, this.”
“Pause? Does that mean we can continue later?” Her body screamed for something.
“Perhaps. We should probably go question Carrie.”
“I imagine she’s preparing for dinner. I think it must wait until later.”
“Elspeth, are you trying to coax me to continue…this?”
“Would that be bad?”
