He shook his head in answer.
“What?” she asked, settling her eyes back on him.
She was a bad liar. She didn’t look straight into his eyes.
“Ye’re lying.”
She scoffed, her mouth remaining agape.
“‘Tis a sin to lie, Connor! I am no liar!”
“Yer wrists were injured but not enough to make them bleed again.”
Maddie looked down guiltily. He heard his men snicker in honest laughter.
“Maddie, what were ye doing?”
She finally looked up at him.
“I tried climbing the chimney to clean it on the inside, but-”
“Clean it on the inside!”
“Aye, but it is much more narrow than the one at my home. I scraped my wrists trying to climb up. Now I know even more so that I must lose additional weight. I didn’t fit in the chimney!”
If his men didn’t stop laughing, he would kill them.
“Lose weight? Nay! If ye lose anymore, ye’ll disappear. And ye doona clean the inside of chimneys!” His voice went up in a crescendo but he couldn’t help it. She was absolutely mad!
Anger flashed in her eyes, and he quirked an eyebrow.
“My family lets me! I see no reason why I can’t do it here. I want to help!”
“Lets ye? Do they nay value yer life?”
Her eyes grew to a deep, velvety yellowish-green.
“My family is noble. And honest! They love me. I do it because I choose to!”
Connor sneered. His men were serious now. Honest and noble, who was she kidding?
“Ye’ll break yer neck. This is an absurdity!” he boomed.
She looked at him and pointed a finger.
“‘Tis a sin to show your temper! It is rude to scream at another!” she shouted.
“Then perhaps ye should follow yer own advice!”
“I am not screaming and I am not showing my temper!” she shouted louder, slamming her foot down in emphasis. Her eyes were blazing.
“And I thought ye were docile!”
“I am!” she hollered, hands on her hips.
Connor walked over to her until he was inches away. He towered over her for effect. They were pitted against one another, head to chest.
She didn’t even cower. God help him!
“I forbid ye to speak to me in this manner! I forbid ye to climb chimneys while ye’re here! Ye’ll join me for supper again tonight,” he said, looking down at her.
Maddie stepped up onto the small step-stool that was next to her to give her height, and still, she had to look up at him. She lifted up a pointed finger and aimed it at his chest.
“Forbid? Ugh! Fine, Laird! I won’t climb chimneys!”
Connor had to hide his smile. Lord had they been wrong about her!
“And ye’ll join me for supper,” he said, getting lost in her yellow eyes.
“Aye. I’ll join you for supper,” she responded, curving an eyebrow.
It wasn’t just them. Nay! The whole damn lot of them joined them for dinner except for Mother. Father, Iain, Kiel, Kirk, Bruce and Hugh were ready for dinner and entertainment. They were seated when Maddie came into the room. Every man stopped talking and stared at her. The guest of honor had a violet dress on. The neck line scooped very low and every man noticed it. Connor did too, and he felt his stomach tighten. Her hair cascaded around her in free-flowing ringlets. Violet ribbons also cascaded with her hair. A deep blush colored her creamy skin. She was certainly a lady- a beautiful one.
Connor stood and pulled out a chair.
“Has Mairi visited ye?”
“Aye. Thank you.”
Maddie was back to being docile. She was definitely most interesting. Connor looked over at Iain, who was snickering. Connor gave him a stern look and Iain did what he always did, and cocked an eyebrow. Connor’s father looked over at him disapprovingly.
The men served themselves and like the evening before, she waited. Considering that his family was behaving as they usually did at the table, they didn’t notice this, but Connor did. After everyone finished serving themselves, Maddie served a very small plateful. She looked up at him suddenly when she sensed his gaze.
“Don’t,” she whispered.
Connor said nothing, giving into her request. Her eyes popped out at him, contrasting beautifully against the violet dress.
When the men were bringing forkfuls of food to their mouths, she cleared her throat.
“Gentlemen, we must give thanks to our Lord.”
Connor closed his eyes and reluctantly agreed.
“Aye, Maddie. Proceed,” Connor said, bracing himself.
“Thank you Lord for our health and for the food we’re about to eat. Thank you for giving us our loved ones and may their health be strong. We are eternally grateful, my Lord. Amen.”
“Amen,” they all said in unison.
Connor exhaled his relief. She hadn’t mentioned her plan to enter the convent.
Maddie ate slowly and quietly, until his father asked her questions.
“So, Maddie, how do ye like it here at Keisealle?”
A smile spread across her lips. She held everyone’s attention.
“It is absolutely lovely. There are so many flowers! I’ve never seen so many. I’ve only been here for two days, but it has been wonderful! Great people. God bless you all.”
Connor rolled his eyes. He prayed she wouldn’t mention her ultimate goal.
“‘Tis rare for a woman nay to be surrounded with flowers. Is that the case with ye?”
“It’s just that my family dislikes flowers. My home isn’t adorned as lovely as yours. It is all a monochromatic gray, but warm nonetheless.”
“No draperies? No colors?”
“Nay, my brothers and father dislike that.”
“And your mother?” Iain asked.
Maddie paled and looked down. A sad expression passed across her face.
“She died.”
“Oh, my apologies, Maddie.”
“When did she?” Kiel asked, and Malcolm, Iain, and Connor stared at him with angry eyes.
“She died birthing me,” she whispered, not looking up. Her cheeks were pink.
Connor saw something more on her face other than pain and sadness. Shame? Embarrassment?
Maddie cleared her throat. She looked up at them and smiled. “She was a fine woman, I’ve been told. Although my family never spoke of my mother to me.”
“Never?”
“Aye. I understand, though. It is painful,” she said, nodding her head. “‘Twas my fault after all.”
“Ye canna believe that, Maddie. Unfortunately, some women die during the birth of babies. I was fortunate that Miriam made it through so many births,” Malcolm said.
“God bless you for attempting to make me feel better, Sir Malcolm, but it is a burden that I must carry.”
No one spoke. They all looked at her not understanding why she would feel that way.
“I’m sorry. I must not speak so much of me! A sin!” The smile she gave them didn’t reach her eyes. “Hopefully I can purge this out of my system before devoting my life to our Lord.”
Everyone leaned forward. Connor groaned.
“Devoting yer life to our Lord?”
“Aye.” Her smile broadened with sincerity. Her full lips curved beautifully. “I’m joining the convent in a few of years.”
Malcolm spit out his wine, and Iain began coughing. Maddie got up and rushed over to Iain. She patted his back.
“Do all the Ramsay men swallow without chewing?”
Iain looked up at Connor and smirked. Malcolm leered at Connor and pursed his lips tightly together. The rest of the irritating crowd smiled secretly at each other.
“Why?”
“Well, Connor did much the same as Sir Malcolm and Iain, and choked last night at dinner-”
“Nay,” Kiel laughed. “Why join the convent?”
She blushed.
“Oh, there are many reasons,
but mostly, I’m too old, Kiel.”
“How old are ye?” he asked.
“I’m soon to be twenty-one years. Very old indeed!”
Connor switched the topic and Iain smiled knowingly. He was sorely tempted to steer the conversation back to Maddie wanting to join the convent. The men began discussing other things for a short time, however.
“‘Twas a fine meal,” she said, smiling.
“How would ye know? Ye didna eat any,” Connor whispered to her.
She gave him a harsh look.
The men started to shuffle out and she began clearing the table before Connor could stop her.
“Put them down, Maddie.”
“Nay,” she said and left the room before he could stop her. She came back two seconds later.
“Where are the kitchens?”
“Maddie, I willna allow ye to do this. Enough!” He went over to her and put the things she’d gathered down.
Her eyes lit with fire.
“Don’t refuse me, Connor! I need to do this! You don’t understand!” Her eyes glittered.
“Understand what? Nay! A lady will not do this!”
“But Connor, I-”
The protest died on her lips. He couldn’t resist that plump mouth any longer. Connor leaned down and kissed her.
It was a scorching kiss.
Maddie fought a little but then complied. His mouth was demanding. Her knees became weak and he placed her arms around his neck, and then encircled his arms around her.
Connor couldn’t stop the kiss. Although he knew that it was her first kiss, evident by her awkwardness, the kiss was addicting.
Maddie was addicting.
She tasted like honey and wine.
Connor deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue in. She moved her head back in retreat but he followed. He brought a hand up to her mouth and pulled her chin down to allow better access. His right hand moved up to her hair and he grabbed a large fist of it. It was silky and soft. His left hand remained at her waist, his arm enveloping her.
Maddie wasn’t a passive participant. Nay, after a few moments she was kissing him back with ferocity. Then she tentatively moved her tongue into his mouth. He growled and sucked on it. She was lost with him. Maddie felt her heart beating twice as fast. Her breath was shallow, and a need she didn’t understand was forced into her veins. She was dizzy. She started to play with his hair and he moaned.
What was happening? She couldn’t stop. From somewhere within her beat another pulse, craving something bigger. It was pure fire between them. It was as electric as lightning.
Connor pulled her tighter against him and she felt his erection against her stomach.
Maddie gasped and pulled back, looking up at him. Her golden eyes were clouded with passion. They were deep in color. Her confusion was evident. Tears welled in her eyes and a harsh blush crept onto her face. Tears fell down her cheeks like water droplets. A shaky hand came up to touch her swollen and shimmering lips. Shame replaced confusion and she couldn’t hold his gaze anymore.
She looked down.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! What have I done? We’ll never be saved!” She ran from the room to her chamber. He could hear her sobs.
Connor stared after her and shook his head in confusion.
We? Saved?
He didn’t know what to think about her. She had been passionate and alive in his arms. It had been exhilarating. That kiss had certainly been more potent an experience than with any other woman with whom he’d been.
Emotions churned within him.
Maddie had obviously never experienced this passion. Hell, even he hadn’t. The strength of the pull between them surprised even him. Maybe Connor had been too forward. She had never even kissed before this.
Connor shook his head, a determined look in his eyes. He couldn’t feel guilty. He couldn’t allow her to get under his skin.
Connor had to go find relief for his state of arousal. He was afraid though, that not just any wench could tame his fever.
He burned for her.
But another would have to do until she surrenders to me, he thought.
Seduction.
That was the name of the game, and they were just the players.
Chapter Six
Maddie awoke in the morning. Images of the night before were embedded in her memory. She couldn’t stop them from flooding back, nor stop the wave of yearning that throbbed within her.
What was wrong with her?
All night she had dreamed about their kiss. About him. This was not for her! This was not her plan.
She wanted to cry, but no, she wouldn’t allow herself to! Stop it, she chastised herself. She would just have to work extra hard now to undo her shameful behavior. She got up from the bed and set out to work.
She needed to clean.
Maddie got dressed with one of the new dresses Mairi had made for her. It was a comfortable wool dress, deep plum in color. Hopefully she wouldn’t be here much longer, she thought as she dressed.
Maddie went downstairs determined to finish cleaning the hearth. She needed to remind Connor about the letter she wrote her father, but she didn’t want to confront him. She couldn’t. Maddie blushed remembering the night before. Her cheeks burned.
She went outside and saw Hugh supervising the training.
“Sir Hugh!”
He turned around with a satisfied expression. She had remembered his name. He found it humorous that she added the title Sir to those she addressed.
He walked over to her.
“Yes, milady.”
“Maddie, please. Do you know where Connor is? I have to remind him about the letter to my father.”
Hugh nodded his head. He sensed her urgency.
“Aye, Maddie. He had some issues with a feuding clan to attend to. Your letter has been dispatched. ”
Maddie smiled and nodded her head. “Good, then, thank you. Hopefully, my father will send some of his men for me promptly, and I can leave before I inadvertently abuse Connor’s hospitality.”
Hugh simply smiled. He didn’t think it would be a good idea for anyone related to Wynton to come onto Ramsay land, but he kept his opinion to himself. Maddie looked so hopeful. How did such a sweet and innocent woman come from such evil stock?
“Yer father-”
Maddie interrupted him before he could finish asking his question.
“He’s a busy man, Sir Hugh. He would be unable to come himself, but I am certain he would send for me.”
She gave him her best fake smile. He saw through it, though. Her tone didn’t sound as certain as her words did.
“Aye. Thank you. God bless you. Excuse me,” and she hurriedly turned towards the castle.
Did she ever go anywhere slowly? It seemed like she bustled everywhere she went.
Maddie’s supplies were left near the hearth from yesterday. She began to scrub the outside of the hearth.
“Maddie? What are ye doing?”
Lady Miriam came into the sitting room.
“I am cleaning, Miriam. ‘Tis good for the soul!”
Miriam smiled. There was such kindness in Miriam’s eyes and Maddie found herself wondering about her own mother. Maddie returned her smile.
“‘Tis nay something ye need to do, Maddie.”
“I want to, Lady Miriam. After all, your family’s hospitality has been most generous. Imagine welcoming an Englishwoman into your home! A stranger,” Maddie shook her head, “Nay, Lady Miriam. I am eternally grateful to Connor for saving me. I hate to think what would have happened had he not.”
Lady Miriam reached out a hand. Maddie started to tear.
“‘Tis over now, and they will never harm ye again.”
Maddie shook her head. “‘Tis nay that, Lady Miriam,” Maddie smiled sadly.
“What is the matter, Maddie?”
Maddie shook her head.
“‘Tis nay good to feel sorry for oneself,” she sniffed.
“Oh come now! Here, sit wit
h me,” Miriam said, leading her to a settee. “Now tell me what has ye so sad?”
Maddie sniffed.
“Well…’tis just that you are so kind and warm. I wonder if my mother would have been the same with me.”
“Yer mother is nay with us?”
Maddie shook her head and frowned.
“Nay. She died.”
“When?” Miriam said, patting Maddie’s hands.
Maddie hesitated a moment and fresh tears fell from her eyes. Her whisper was so faint, Miriam had to strain to hear her.
“She died while…while birthing me.”
“I’m so sorry, Maddie. ‘Tis unfortunate when a woman dies while bringing her child into this world. Ye grew up without a mother. ‘Tis difficult. I know because I grew up without mine. My mother also died while birthing me.”
Maddie’s head snapped up. Her eyes were round with surprise.
“Do you think you’ll be saved, Lady Miriam?”
“Saved? Whatever do ye mean, Maddie?”
Maddie hesitated meeting the older woman’s hazel eyes.
“You’ll be saved, Lady Miriam. ‘Tis I who won’t be unless I work hard and serve others.”
Miriam was going to ask what Maddie meant but Aimee came into the room.
“The water is ready for your bath, Lady Miriam.”
Miriam nodded. “Thank ye, Aimee.”
Aimee left and Miriam turned concerned eyes onto Maddie.
“I appreciate this little chat, Lady Miriam. I’d like to think that my own mother was as kind as you are, and would have accepted and loved me,” Maddie said, smiling.
Miriam’s heart went out to the girl. She let the topic go for now.
“I’m sorry, Lady Miriam. I didn’t mean to cry-”
“No, dear,” Miriam interrupted. “‘Tis nay always a bad thing to cry.”
“You make me feel so normal and good. Thank you,” Maddie said, covering Miriam’s top hand.
“I know I havena had an opportunity to get to know ye better, Maddie. I would like to, before ye go back. ‘Tis just that-”
“Oh, no Lady Miriam. I understand! You are very busy with duties. I don’t want to keep you any longer, your bath water will grow cold.”
Miriam patted Maddie’s hand, feeling a connection with her. Even though they had just met, she felt a goodness and purity in Maddie.
The Highlander Who Saved Me (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 2) Page 5
