A Highland Folly by Jo Ann Ferguson

save for that questing fingertip, she was too aware of how near he stood. His finger wafted along her shoulder and eased upward along her neck, revealing delights she had not guessed existed. Billows of heat surrounded her when it settled beneath her chin and tilted her face upward. She was caught by the answering fire in his eyes, unable to look away, not wanting to end the moment of impossible joy.
    â€œYou have never lied to me before,” he whispered. “Why not be honest with me, as I am with you when I tell you how beautiful you are?”
    â€œLucais, you should not say things like that.”
    â€œBecause I am the chief engineer on the road project and you came here to the barn to compose yourself before you went to a meeting to prevent it from being built?”
    She started to shake her head, but the caress of his finger along her jaw halted her. Closing her eyes, she savored his finger’s gentle stroking as he created enchantment across her cheek. She shivered and could not halt him when he put his arm around her waist as he drew her the half step forward into his embrace.
    When Anice opened her eyes to see his lips nearing hers, she jerked herself away. She gasped as she stumbled back against the pen’s door. Instantly she jumped aside, unsure if amusement or a more potent emotion burned in his eyes. Edging past him, she pointed to the door. She did not trust her voice.
    â€œI assume you want me to leave,” Lucais said with a terse laugh. “Yet you have a difficult time remembering that when you are close to me.”
    â€œYou are very sure of yourself, Lucais MacFarlane.”
    â€œI must be when too many stand in the way of getting what I want.” He cupped her chin as he added, “And because I know what kind of trouble you are courting when you go to that meeting tonight.”
    â€œYou keep babbling on about this so-called meeting.”
    He bent so their eyes were level. “Anice, there is no sense in pretending innocence. Everyone in Killiebige is abuzz with the news of the meeting tonight. One that you called, if on-dits are right.”
    â€œThose rumors are wrong. I did not ask for this meeting.” She bit back her irritation when he smiled at her inadvertent acknowledgment of the meeting. “Lucais, this is none of your bread-and-butter.”
    â€œYou are correct.” He smiled when she regarded him with amazement. “I should not get involved in this. Neither should you.”
    â€œI can take care of myself.”
    â€œMayhap, but can you take care of them when they explode with zeal fired by the speeches that are sure to run late into the night?”
    She tried to pull away, but the scant space kept her imprisoned more than his hands on her elbows. When he stepped toward her, she backed away, bumping into the wall. The stones jabbed through her thin gown. She put up her hands to keep him from coming closer, but he put his hands on the wall on either side of her.
    â€œAnice,” he whispered, “please tell me that you will have second thoughts about attending this meeting. If you stay home tonight, tempers may cool.”
    â€œYou give me too much credit.” She tried to slide away from him, but his arm blocked her way. Knowing that to appeal to his common sense was useless, she had no choice but to say, “Lucais, I must go and change so I am not late.”
    He smiled icily. “I could keep you from attending.”
    â€œYou probably could, but have you considered that the consequences of me not attending might be worse than if I do go?”
    â€œI have considered every aspect of this from every possible angle, and I know it would be best if you were to stay here with me now.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œYou know quite well.” His hands settled on her shoulders as he closed the distance between them.
    When his wool trousers brushed against her bare legs, she gasped. She had forgotten