The Highlander's Temptation (7 page)

Jamie smiled. “Ye and I are much more alike than ye may believe, Sutherland. I, too, care a great deal for my men. For my country. I’d not let your men be led into folly.”

“I appreciate that.” Magnus pushed back from the table, standing, he reached his arm across.

Jamie, too, stood and gripped his arm. “And I appreciate ye giving my request serious consideration.”

Magnus grunted. “I was about to begin training with my men. Care to join us?”

Jamie’s grin widened. He loved a challenge. And this would be a good chance to prove to Magnus that he was fully capable of leading the man’s warriors into battle. “
With pleasure.”

So Magnus had
not
sent the wild warrior and his men away.

Lorna paused on the steps of the keep, and watched as the warriors filed out
of the gate and onto the field where they would train for the day. Magnus and the warrior sparred with words, jabbing each other with their dumb fists.

Couldn’t her brother see that this man was dangerous? A fool?

The two of them carried on like they were the best of friends. Well, she could ignore them both. Hopefully the wretch would be gone by the evening meal.

Lorna lifted her nose in the air and sailed past the men toward the stables, her
arisaid
full of apples and carrots for Angel. After giving her such a fright this morning—well, actually, after the stranger gave her such a fright—she felt she owed her mare a tasty treat.

“Lorna!” Magnus’ voice had her pausing mid-step in the center of the courtyard. Should she turn and recognize him or just continue on?

If she just kept going, there was every possibility that her brother would follow her. As stubborn as he was, she wouldn’t doubt it. Best to simply get it over with and be on her way.

Lorna turned slowly around and gave a haughty lift of her brow. The stranger’s broad grin made her cringe. What did he have to be so happy about?

“Aye, brother?” she asked.

The two men approached her. “I wanted to introduce ye to our guest.”

“Guest? Introduce?” She couldn’t help her surprise. He was staying? At Dunrobin?

“Well, I suppose we’ve already been introduced. Twice, now,” the man said with a chuckle that did irritating things to her body.

The sound of it tickled along her spine and sent a shiver racing into her chest. What was that all about?

“Twice? How so?”

“Lorna, this is Jamie Montgomery. The one who saved ye all those years ago.”

All those years ago
…

Her mind tunneled back, remembering those horrid sights. Her parents, her brother Blane, blood, screams of pain. Lorna flinched, nodded quickly and gave a jerky curtsy.
Now she knew why the name had been so familiar.

“I see we have met. And ye’re not as much as a savage as I assumed ye were this afternoon. My thanks for your assistance.” The words tumbled out, monotone. She owed this man her life, for had he not the foresight to break away from the fight, ’twas very likely she wouldn’t have made it home that day.

Lorna glanced down at the ground, suddenly not as full of spite as she’d been before. “I need to see to my horse. Nice to be reacquainted with ye.”

Before he could respond, she whirled and took quick steps to the barn, tears blurring her eyes at the memories.

That day she’d been so scared, but when he lifted her up and held her tight, he’d made her forget her fear. He was her very own hero. A warrior she could love. If only in her dreams.

But now here he was in the flesh, and her
body was doing all sorts of odd things, and her mind was racing with excitement, fear, and trepidation. Why was he here? Had he dreamt of her, too? Had he chosen to return to scoop her back up in his arms like she’d imagined he would one day?

Good Lord, she just hoped he went away. She wasn’t ready. Not in the slightest.

Chapter Six

’Twas the eve of the Beltane celebration and Magnus had chosen to begin the festivities early since they’d a guest present. Laughter, music and dozens of voices could be heard from the top of the circular stone stairs. After dinner there would be music and dancing.

Lorna’s heart had not stopped beating erratically since she’d come across Jamie in front of the courtyard earlier in the afternoon. Would he ask her to dance? Would she even stay that long, or beg permission to leave the festivities early?

Lorna had taken extra time in her chamber to prepare for the evening feast, though she refused to explore the reason behind it. However, rounding the corner and entering the room, that very reason stood not five feet from her. Tall as a tree and as imposing as a mountain. Her belly fluttered when she caught his dark gaze.

She smoothed her skirts and swiped at invisible strands of hair. No
t a single one was out of place. Her hair looked lovely, plaited and piled on the top of her head, in a high knot threaded with wild flowers, and she dazzled in a gown Magnus had given to her on her birthday. This one reminded her of spring. Light, sky blue and soft as a spring breeze. The one she’d wear for the Beltane celebration was as purple as a thistle.

Jamie stop
ped speaking to the men around him, his attention suddenly focused solely on her.

Lorna’s mouth went dry as she felt
the weight of his gaze boring deeply into hers. His gaze unlocked from hers and traveled, slowly, the length of her body, making her hands tremble and a shiver of…something…trailed up her spine and then back down again, circling her middle and settling in the pit of her stomach.

She swallowed. And swallowed again.

As the man assessed her, Lorna took the opportunity to do the same. He’d had a bath or a swim in the sea recently as the ends of his dark hair were still damp and hung loosely about his shoulders. His skin was bronzed from the sun, and clean. A shadow of a beard shaded the line of his jaw and around his firm lips. He wore a crisp linen shirt and a plaid similar to the one he’d been wearing earlier that morning. Just below his knees, leather boots hugged his muscled calves, but she found her attention drawn back to his knees.

Never before had she been so keen on a particular body part. But she was now. His knees… they were strong, brushed with a sprinkle of dark hair and so…firm. Lorna bit her lip, now sure that she was not the only one staring at his knees, for everyone was certain to notice that her eyes were riveted to that particular naked spot on his body.

But she couldn’t tear her eyes away. In fact, looking at the curve of his leg had her imagining the way he’d bend to lift her on a horse, or how he might kneel upon the ground. When she was able to peel her eyes away and look up at him, her face quickly flooded with heat. Jamie’s lips had curled slightly in a devilish smile and the intensity of his stare deepened. And, aye, there were others staring at the two of them. His two friends that he’d brought with him elbowed him in the ribs and chuckled as though they found the whole thing amusing. It only made her face hotter.

Zounds!
As if she didn’t have enough to worry over with her aunt and the marriage talk. Now, she’d have to deal with the rumors that would surely spark from her staring very inappropriately at their guest.

Forget that she liked the way he looked at her, or that she anticipated that swirling feeling in her belly and the shivers of excitement that rippled over her whenever he was near. She barely knew the man, and he was most likely
dangerous.

Any man with knees as enticing as his
had
to be trouble.

Lorna lifted her nose a fraction and whirled her gaze away from the handsome devil in search of… what? What could she look at? Anything but him.

She headed straight toward her aunt. Probably the safest person in the room. If she needed to be straightened out of her odd thinking, Aunt Fiona would be the one to help. Or at the very least, give her a sound talking to that made Lorna never want to look at another man again. Especially his knees.

When she reached her aunt, Fiona gave her a side glance, but there was no reprimand as Lorna had
anticipated. No scathing remarks. If anything, the woman had a scheming look about her. Fiona smirked, almost pleased with herself. But how could that possibly be? She glanced at her aunt’s hands, half expecting to see a jug of near empty wine. But there was nothing. It was entirely possible she’d been partaking of wine before coming down to the great hall, but that was very unlike her aunt. Nay, this was something much different. Fiona glanced over Lorna’s shoulder in the direction of Jamie, again a secret smile curved her lips as she caught Lorna’s gaze.

Lorna frowned for a moment, not quite understanding why her aunt might look so—

Oh nay! Nay, nay, nay, nay… Her aunt was scheming all right and Lorna had a sneaking suspicion that it had something to do with Jamie and herself. That would not do. Not at all.

While her aunt’s attention turned back to the few clanswomen she was discussing a new embroidery pattern with, Lorna snuck a glance back over her shoulder toward Jamie. A gasp stuck in her throat to see that he
, too, was watching her. Her throat went dry. Underarms grew slick. Saints, but every time she was around this man she felt sick. Her stomach flipped, heart pounded.

His dark gaze
was intense, and she had the sudden overwhelming urge to find out what it was he was thinking. But would she want to confess her own thoughts?

Nay, nay she wouldn’t. For then she’d have to run to confession and explain to Father
Hurley that she’d most definitely been having sinful thoughts—because she couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like for that brawny Highlander to put his arms around her, to brush his lips over hers and to breathe in his scent which had to be just as male as he looked. And just as intoxicating.

Again her face heated. She’d not felt herself blush so much in one day the whole of her life. She jerked her gaze back toward her aunt to find not only Fiona but the several women she’d been speaking with staring at her.
Her aunt held the same pleased expression, and the other women smiled knowingly. Ugh. Lorna wanted to run from the room and vomit. Why did her interest in a man have to be a clan affair?

“What?” she asked,
acting nonchalant with a slight lift of her shoulder.

Aunt Fiona tried to hide her smi
le while the clanswomen did no such thing—they grinned full out now from ear to ear.

“Do ye
have a beau, lass?” Margaret, wife of the clan tanner asked, her eyes flicking toward Jamie.

Lorna’s hand flew to her neck and she pretended offense. “Nay!
I barely know the man. I only found out earlier that he’d been the one to save me when…” She trailed off, hoping the women would get the hint, but none seemed to notice, and she supposed she shouldn’t have used such a tragic event to change the subject anyway.

“I barely knew my Angus,” piped in Rebecca,
wife of one of Magnus’ warriors, while the other ladies chirped in agreement.

“Aye, love comes in time,” Margaret said.

The muscles of Lorna’s eyes burned to roll, but she held them steady. “I’m nay marrying the man,” she whispered harshly. “Dinna say another word on the subject.”

She was certain to
be thoroughly chastised by Aunt Fiona for the way she spoke, but once again her aunt shocked her by simply smiling and nodding slowly.

Lorna huffed a breath. “If ye will excuse me.” She whirled in an attempt to find her sister Heather, and smacked face to chest into the man in question.

Her hands came up involuntarily to protect herself and landed against hard muscle. Good God, he was like a wall. A thick, muscled, completely gorgeous wall. He smelled just as heavenly as she would have imagined and Lorna caught herself breathing deep of his earthy, spicy scent.

“Pardon me,” she said, her voice breathy and distant to her own ears.

As if she’d only just recalled where her hands rested, she jerked them away. Blood rushed through her head, making her feel light-headed. Oh, why of all things, did this have to happen now? The ladies were sure to be gossiping about an upcoming wedding after that display.

Lorna cringed, gritting her teeth.

“Apologies, my lady. I was hoping to escort ye to the table.” He held out a large elbow, obviously wanting her to take his arm, and blatantly ignoring her discomfort.

Lorna stared at the appendage, unsure of how to act. If she did take it, he’d feel how her fingers trembled
over the sinew of his arm. And if she didn’t take it, that would be rude.

Being rude to guests was unacceptable. Even if said gue
st made her heart go pitter-pat and caused the clanswomen to waggle their tongues.

Her gaze rose from his arm to his face, studying him. He raised a
sculpted brow and shifted his arm closer. The man was invading her space, and shame on her, Lorna liked it.

“May I?” he asked.

Lorna gave a curt nod, forcing her hands to still as she wrapped her fingers around his upper arm. Dear Lord, he was nothing but sinew. Thick and hard. Her breath caught. No touch had ever made her feel so… Oh, she couldn’t even describe it. Only that her breath left her, her heart beat faster and her belly felt like it had given birth to a colony of butterflies.

“My thanks,” she answered, hearing the sound of the women whispering behind her.

Shame on them! Had they no decency? They embarrassed her more than anyone else. She’d not be surprised if by morning a wedding gown had been prepared. Just the thought of marrying the towering warrior made her belly flip again. Having a wedding meant having a wedding night…

Flames must have touched her face, for suddenly she was as hot as Hades.

She fanned her face as Jamie escorted her to the head table, while those around her also found their seats. When they reached her seat, he tugged it out and waited for her to sit before tucking her back in. So chivalrous. Of course, he wasn’t the first man to pull out her chair, but for some reason it meant all the more that he’d done it.

Maybe because it showed that beneath his brute exterior, he was a gentleman? Or was it because s
he liked his singular attention? She was, after all, the only woman he’d chosen to escort to the table.

Lorna turned around, flashing their guest a smile—one that she hoped didn’t convey just how much she was starting to like him. “My thanks.”

“Ye’re verra welcome.” His voice stroked along her nerves in a delicious way, and she suddenly wondered what it would sound like if he whispered in her ear.

Ugh. Too many fairy tales. Growing up, her nursemaid had told many, and Lorna had taken over the task of telling
them to Heather. Living in a world of fantasy and romance must have addled her brain.

Everyone took their places, leaving only one empty chair
for their guest—right beside her.

Magnus swept his arm out toward Jamie. “Sit
. Be our guest.”

Jamie nodded and grinned down at Lorna before turning back to her brother. “My thanks, Laird Sutherland.”

“Magnus, remember?”

“Aye, my friend.” Jamie pulled out his chair and sat down, his heat and presence overwhelming in its closeness.

How could sitting beside a man give her such… Heart palpitations. Sweaty palms. Wicked thoughts. She found herself leaning closer to him and taking in extra-long breaths.

Jamie picked up a jug of watered wine and held it out to her. “Shall I pour ye a
cup, my lady?”

Lorna nodded. Might as well. She could use a bit of wine to settle her nerves, else she
’d end up crawling into his lap as she shoved her nose against his throat to breathe him in up close.

Jamie poured her wine,
then offered to pour for Aunt Fiona on his other side. The sneaky woman nodded and peeked a glance at Lorna, that scheming smile on her lips.

Lorna plastered an irritated smile on her face, returning it to her aunt, so the woman wouldn’t continue with her machinations.
But Fiona didn’t seem to care, she only beamed all the more as she said her thanks to Jamie, then told him how marvelous it was that he’d decided to join them.