“It was wrong of me, but I am happier that the truth is out. It will take me a while to believe you truly forgive me, but I will work hard for that.” It was a promise he meant to keep.
Her lips parted softly, and he could do nothing other than kiss her.
Rolling her closer, he lifted her against him, joyous in their embrace.
Her lips parted, yielding to him. She was so soft and precious in his arms he wanted to hold her like that forever, even if it meant carrying her all the way to the Highlands that way. He ached for her, every part of him attuned to her and her alone.
She sighed after they kissed. “Why is it that you love me? I still do not understand how this has occurred... You are all raw power and wildness, and I am not.”
She was so bewildered looking that it amused him greatly. “Oh, well, the reason I love you should be obvious.”
She waited for his reply.
“Because you told me you are not prone to melodrama.”
She stared at him for a long moment, then burst into laughter. “And you believed me?”
“Of course I did.” He nuzzled the soft skin behind her ear, kissing her there.
“You have made me so happy,” she whispered.
“It is only the beginning.”
“We do however have one problem,” she added.
“We do?” Lennox did not like the sound of that.
“When you first came to my chamber at Torquil House, you said I could determine the amount of your fee if I was happy with the results of the rituals you undertook.” She looked at him from under her lashes, a smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “Well, I am most pleased with the way it has turned out, but I do not think I have enough coins, nor will I ever have enough, for that is how happy I am with the results.”
Lennox did not hesitate. “I will happily take you, in exchange for my fee.”
“Are you sure that will be enough recompense?”
“Only if it is forever.”
“In that case,” she said, “I suppose I must agree.”
* * * * *
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am indebted to Jody Allen for her knowledge on specific points about the history and culture of Lowlands Scotland. Thank you, Jody, for all your wisdom and guidance.
I am also indebted to the staff of the National Museum of Scotland, The Museum of Edinburgh and the People’s Story Museum in Edinburgh, who upkeep terrific collections recreating the lives and history of everyday Scottish people, making research a joy and an inspiration.
Finally my thanks go to Portia Da Costa for her friendship, support and encouragement during the writing of this novel.
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ISBN: 9781460306468
Copyright © 2013 by Saskia Walker
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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