The Bedeviled Heart (The Highland Heather and Hearts Scottish Romance Series) by Carmen Caine Page A
Authors: Carmen Caine
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help ye—”
She continued berating him, but Cameron was no longer listening.
Had he just heard the wee lass correctly? Did she really just offer to lend him coin on eight shillings a year? The estate of Inchmurrin alone sent thousands of pounds into his pocket each year, and he had countless other holdings.
His dark eyes swept her from head to toe.
He had never met a more generous, sincere, or kind-hearted lass in his life.
Nor one as fetching.
It was then that he knew she wasn’t a passing fancy. If he stayed in her company he would genuinely fall in love. He didn’t want to think he already had. Surely, it took longer, but even as he wondered, he was certain it was already too late.
Inexplicably, he had fallen for the lass.
He had never been in love before. Aye, the women of the court pursued him incessantly, tempting him to their beds in countless ways, but he was too wise to fall into court traps. And though he’d been wed seven times he hadn’t touched a one of his wives. If truth be told, even though he’d kissed many a lass, even an ungodly number, he had never bedded a one of them. His curse had overshadowed his life.
“Listen to me, ye lout!” Kate reached up, jiggling his chin to focus his attention. “There’s no cause for vengeance, if that is what drives ye! ‘Twill only eat your heart and leave ye dry and bitter in the end!”
He should run, disappear. He could not allow his curse to affect such a pure heart. But her sweet lips were beguiling, and her passionate, brown eyes took his breath away.
She had bespelled him. There could be no other answer.
Suddenly nothing else mattered.
Uttering an unintelligible oath, he caught her close and pulled her lips to his, plundering her mouth with his tongue. His kiss was a claiming one, a statement of intent. Aye, he wanted her in a way that he had never wanted any other.
Her warm lips hungrily sought his, driving him mad with desire for all too short a time before her palms slid up his chest, and she pushed him away.
She was speaking but he didn’t hear her words. He eyed her kiss-swollen lips possessively and with satisfaction. Aye, he’d make the lass his. He wanted her, all of her. A kiss was not enough.
“Are ye listening to me, ye oaf?” Kate’s dark eyes sparkled with mirth even as her brows furrowed deeper. “I said if ye expect kisses from the likes of me, ye’ll have to prove yourself worthy of them! I’ll not kiss an outlaw!”
And then his hot blood cooled.
He was a fool for blithely ignoring the facts and letting it go this far. What would the wee lass say if she discovered he truly was the Dreaded Earl of Death.
“Cameron?” Kate’s eyes filled with concern. “What is it?”
For a moment, he was tempted to tell her the truth, but only for a moment. Placing his hands over hers, he caressed her fingers and heaved a sigh. “I cannot tell ye the truth of it, lass, but when ye see me, run away as fast as your feet can carry ye. I’ve nothing but ill fortune to bring to ye, and I do not have the strength to stay away.”
That was certainly true enough.
She eyed him sympathetically. Sliding her arm through his, she guided him down the lane. “I’ve had nothing but good fortune since meeting ye, Cameron, and whatever curse ye think ye might be under … well, mayhap we can break it together!”
Ach, he was a weak fool. Within minutes, she had him feeling at ease and even playful, and tossing all concerns aside yet again. Aye, the wee lass had some unholy power over him.
At the bottom of Castle Hill, she paused and pointed to the castle high above them. “I’ve herbs that must be gathered for the kind lady up there, and ye can lend me a hand. ‘Twill heal your heart to feel the good earth under your fingers, Cameron!”
Permitting himself to enjoy her company, he allowed her to lead him to the banks of the River Forth and over the wide stone bridge, weaving through the crowd of carts, peasants, and the
She continued berating him, but Cameron was no longer listening.
Had he just heard the wee lass correctly? Did she really just offer to lend him coin on eight shillings a year? The estate of Inchmurrin alone sent thousands of pounds into his pocket each year, and he had countless other holdings.
His dark eyes swept her from head to toe.
He had never met a more generous, sincere, or kind-hearted lass in his life.
Nor one as fetching.
It was then that he knew she wasn’t a passing fancy. If he stayed in her company he would genuinely fall in love. He didn’t want to think he already had. Surely, it took longer, but even as he wondered, he was certain it was already too late.
Inexplicably, he had fallen for the lass.
He had never been in love before. Aye, the women of the court pursued him incessantly, tempting him to their beds in countless ways, but he was too wise to fall into court traps. And though he’d been wed seven times he hadn’t touched a one of his wives. If truth be told, even though he’d kissed many a lass, even an ungodly number, he had never bedded a one of them. His curse had overshadowed his life.
“Listen to me, ye lout!” Kate reached up, jiggling his chin to focus his attention. “There’s no cause for vengeance, if that is what drives ye! ‘Twill only eat your heart and leave ye dry and bitter in the end!”
He should run, disappear. He could not allow his curse to affect such a pure heart. But her sweet lips were beguiling, and her passionate, brown eyes took his breath away.
She had bespelled him. There could be no other answer.
Suddenly nothing else mattered.
Uttering an unintelligible oath, he caught her close and pulled her lips to his, plundering her mouth with his tongue. His kiss was a claiming one, a statement of intent. Aye, he wanted her in a way that he had never wanted any other.
Her warm lips hungrily sought his, driving him mad with desire for all too short a time before her palms slid up his chest, and she pushed him away.
She was speaking but he didn’t hear her words. He eyed her kiss-swollen lips possessively and with satisfaction. Aye, he’d make the lass his. He wanted her, all of her. A kiss was not enough.
“Are ye listening to me, ye oaf?” Kate’s dark eyes sparkled with mirth even as her brows furrowed deeper. “I said if ye expect kisses from the likes of me, ye’ll have to prove yourself worthy of them! I’ll not kiss an outlaw!”
And then his hot blood cooled.
He was a fool for blithely ignoring the facts and letting it go this far. What would the wee lass say if she discovered he truly was the Dreaded Earl of Death.
“Cameron?” Kate’s eyes filled with concern. “What is it?”
For a moment, he was tempted to tell her the truth, but only for a moment. Placing his hands over hers, he caressed her fingers and heaved a sigh. “I cannot tell ye the truth of it, lass, but when ye see me, run away as fast as your feet can carry ye. I’ve nothing but ill fortune to bring to ye, and I do not have the strength to stay away.”
That was certainly true enough.
She eyed him sympathetically. Sliding her arm through his, she guided him down the lane. “I’ve had nothing but good fortune since meeting ye, Cameron, and whatever curse ye think ye might be under … well, mayhap we can break it together!”
Ach, he was a weak fool. Within minutes, she had him feeling at ease and even playful, and tossing all concerns aside yet again. Aye, the wee lass had some unholy power over him.
At the bottom of Castle Hill, she paused and pointed to the castle high above them. “I’ve herbs that must be gathered for the kind lady up there, and ye can lend me a hand. ‘Twill heal your heart to feel the good earth under your fingers, Cameron!”
Permitting himself to enjoy her company, he allowed her to lead him to the banks of the River Forth and over the wide stone bridge, weaving through the crowd of carts, peasants, and the
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