throat.
She wanted to lick him slowly, from his chin all the way to the spot behind his earlobe.
Stop it.
I’ve nae desire to fall under his spell
.
“Be serious,
muirnean
.” He captured her gaze in those clear, green eyes. “An argument between us at this point is as likely as onions with the scent of roses.”
“’Tis still possible—we’re having a disagreement now.” She folded her arms across her chest and stopped eating. She’d lost her appetite. “A husband’s attentions, especially after long abstinence, can be too vigorous. Or mayhap he’s simply too stubborn to be borne.”
Colin raised a brow. “This disagreement is naught we can show to the clan, and I’ll admit to being verra stubborn,
muirnean
.”
“Dinna call me that,” she snapped, irritated beyond measure, though with herself or Colin she wasna sure.
He ignored the outburst. “A man’s attention to his wife canna be too vigorous when she, too, has suffered a long abstinence.”
“You’re taunting me.”
“Am I? Or is it yourself who tempts you beyond measure?”
She placed her hands on the table and levered herself to her feet then leaned across the wooden surface to be certain he didna misunderstand. “You have nae idea what I want. Since the clan doesna know we have nae shared—”
His green eyes darkened from that bright grass green to nearly black. She felt the pull of him sitting so casually, so near. Her traitorous heart raced. Her breath stuttered. She had to get away from him.
He smiled.
Her stupid belly fluttered and her stupider knees went weak.
“Pah! This is nonsense. Talking with you is like talking to a goat.” She slammed a fist on the table, making the cups and trenchers clatter. Then turning her back on the wretch, she marched to the window on the other side of the room.
“Goat I may be,
muirnean
, but at least I’m an honest goat and dinna deceive myself. I want you. I believe you desire me as well. You can have me if you truly wish it. All you need do is come with me to bed.”
“Nae, I canna.”
“Keep to your solitary sleep then. However, that pallet will be removed on the morrow, and you will continue to sleep in this room whether in my bed or nae. I’ll nae allow you to destroy my best chance of saving Scotland.”
She shivered at the ice in his voice, so warm just moments ago. Was he right? Did she deceive herself? Nae, she didna. She recognized her lust for exactly what it was—an excuse to avoid admitting what she truly wanted. God help her, she wanted her life back, and no one could give her that. Certainly yielding to her mad desire for Colin would nae restore her leg or her life.
• • •
After a near sleepless night, Sorcha kept her head bent over her sewing as she listened to Sir MacClaren, the chamberlain, report on his work over the past ten years at Strathnaver Stronghold.
“You’re certain you’ve told me of every important change?” Colin asked as he brought the interview with the chamberlain to a close.
“Aye.”
“Very well. I’m tiring and need my rest. Go now and send the steward to me at midday. If you recall anything else, be certain to inform me immediately. It would reflect poorly on us both for the earl nae to know what has gone on in his own home.”
“I will, my lord. Rest well.”
The man stood.
Putting her stitchery aside, Sorcha rose. “Husband, I have need of speech with our chamberlain on a minor household matter, and I would no have our chatter keep you from your rest. Sir MacClaren, I will walk with you a few moments.”
“Of course, my lady.” The man swept her a bow.
Only a short while passed before Sorcha returned, locked the door behind her.
Colin patted the bed beside him. “Come sit here so we may talk more quietly. We dinna ken who might listen at doors.”
She eyed him suspiciously, but his expression revealed nothing. “I’m nae certain that is a good idea.”
He blinked innocently, raised his hands, and locked
She wanted to lick him slowly, from his chin all the way to the spot behind his earlobe.
Stop it.
I’ve nae desire to fall under his spell
.
“Be serious,
muirnean
.” He captured her gaze in those clear, green eyes. “An argument between us at this point is as likely as onions with the scent of roses.”
“’Tis still possible—we’re having a disagreement now.” She folded her arms across her chest and stopped eating. She’d lost her appetite. “A husband’s attentions, especially after long abstinence, can be too vigorous. Or mayhap he’s simply too stubborn to be borne.”
Colin raised a brow. “This disagreement is naught we can show to the clan, and I’ll admit to being verra stubborn,
muirnean
.”
“Dinna call me that,” she snapped, irritated beyond measure, though with herself or Colin she wasna sure.
He ignored the outburst. “A man’s attention to his wife canna be too vigorous when she, too, has suffered a long abstinence.”
“You’re taunting me.”
“Am I? Or is it yourself who tempts you beyond measure?”
She placed her hands on the table and levered herself to her feet then leaned across the wooden surface to be certain he didna misunderstand. “You have nae idea what I want. Since the clan doesna know we have nae shared—”
His green eyes darkened from that bright grass green to nearly black. She felt the pull of him sitting so casually, so near. Her traitorous heart raced. Her breath stuttered. She had to get away from him.
He smiled.
Her stupid belly fluttered and her stupider knees went weak.
“Pah! This is nonsense. Talking with you is like talking to a goat.” She slammed a fist on the table, making the cups and trenchers clatter. Then turning her back on the wretch, she marched to the window on the other side of the room.
“Goat I may be,
muirnean
, but at least I’m an honest goat and dinna deceive myself. I want you. I believe you desire me as well. You can have me if you truly wish it. All you need do is come with me to bed.”
“Nae, I canna.”
“Keep to your solitary sleep then. However, that pallet will be removed on the morrow, and you will continue to sleep in this room whether in my bed or nae. I’ll nae allow you to destroy my best chance of saving Scotland.”
She shivered at the ice in his voice, so warm just moments ago. Was he right? Did she deceive herself? Nae, she didna. She recognized her lust for exactly what it was—an excuse to avoid admitting what she truly wanted. God help her, she wanted her life back, and no one could give her that. Certainly yielding to her mad desire for Colin would nae restore her leg or her life.
• • •
After a near sleepless night, Sorcha kept her head bent over her sewing as she listened to Sir MacClaren, the chamberlain, report on his work over the past ten years at Strathnaver Stronghold.
“You’re certain you’ve told me of every important change?” Colin asked as he brought the interview with the chamberlain to a close.
“Aye.”
“Very well. I’m tiring and need my rest. Go now and send the steward to me at midday. If you recall anything else, be certain to inform me immediately. It would reflect poorly on us both for the earl nae to know what has gone on in his own home.”
“I will, my lord. Rest well.”
The man stood.
Putting her stitchery aside, Sorcha rose. “Husband, I have need of speech with our chamberlain on a minor household matter, and I would no have our chatter keep you from your rest. Sir MacClaren, I will walk with you a few moments.”
“Of course, my lady.” The man swept her a bow.
Only a short while passed before Sorcha returned, locked the door behind her.
Colin patted the bed beside him. “Come sit here so we may talk more quietly. We dinna ken who might listen at doors.”
She eyed him suspiciously, but his expression revealed nothing. “I’m nae certain that is a good idea.”
He blinked innocently, raised his hands, and locked
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