Page 10 of A Wife for the Highland Villain (Breaking the Highland Rules #3)
Ten Years Ago
Lily sat by the edge of the ship, a basket of fish beside her. Her hands worked as quickly as possible, cleaning them almost absentmindedly. The smell invaded her nostrils, but she was used to it by now.
“Lily,” a voice called from behind.
She turned to see Megan walking toward her, the hem of her skirt gathered in her hands.
Her younger sister’s nose wrinkled as she came close, the wind tugging at her hair. “Ye reek of the sea again.”
“At least I can blame the fish for it,” Lily retorted, her voice sharp.
Megan narrowed her eyes, and for a few seconds, Lily could see the contemplation on her little sister’s face. “Maither is looking for ye.”
Lily smirked. “She always looks for me when I am busy. Can ye attend to her instead? I am sure whatever she needs is somethin’ ye can also provide.”
“Nae this time.” Megan tilted her head and gave her a mischievous smile. “She wants ye in the cabin, and it isnae to keep her waiting. Ye ken how she gets when she waits.”
Lily placed down the fish and wiped her hands on her apron. “What is it this time? Another lesson on how to smile properly?”
Megan laughed and shook her head. “Go and find out yerself. I was only told to fetch ye.”
“Fetch me like a dog.” Lily rolled her eyes, but there was fondness in her voice. “One day, I will make ye scale these fishes for me, and we shall see if ye can keep that grin.”
“I would rather scrub the whole deck than touch that filth,” Megan scoffed. “Daenae keep her waiting. She sounded serious.”
Lily sighed but nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Fine, I will go. But I willnae go easy on ye when it is yer turn.”
As she made her way across the deck, she looked at the far side of the ship. Alasdair stood there, wringing out a white shirt she assumed belonged to him. His hair was damp, and water ran down the line of his jaw. When his eyes found hers, he grinned, bold and teasing.
Her cheeks bloomed red, and she turned away at once, her heart thudding faster. She hurried to the cabin and slipped inside.
Her mother sat at the table, with several swatches of fabric laid out before her. She held one up against the light from the small window, studying the texture.
“Ma,” Lily called, stepping further inside. “What is all this?”
Her mother lowered the fabric and gave her a serious look. “Yer faither brought these from the merchant. He thought ye might want to wear one for yer handfasting.”
Lily let out a groan. “‘Tis only a handfasting. We will do it on land in two days. There is nay need to waste time finding the perfect clothes.”
“Nay need?” Her mother’s voice sharpened. “Ye will look yer very best. Our entire family will be watching because a handfasting is nay small thing.”
“I only want simple things,” Lily insisted. “I daenae care what I wear. Whatever ye choose will be fine. Truly.”
Her mother raised another swatch, this one a bright red. She held it up with a small smile. “So ye would be content if I choose this?”
Lily froze. The color was too vivid, and her mother knew that. It would sit dark against her pale skin and make her look sickly. She swallowed hard.
“Aye,” she forced out, though her voice wavered.
Her mother narrowed her eyes, and Lily shifted under the stare until, at last, she threw her hands up. “Fine. Anything but that one.”
Her mother’s mouth curved, almost a smirk, and she picked up another swatch, this one a deep purple. “What about this one, then?”
Lily’s eyes widened.
“That one is worse.” She groaned and laughed all at once. “Ma, ye’re torturin’ me. I am leavin’.” She turned to the door. “Any color but those two,” she added with a wave toward the swatches before closing the door.
The sea air hit her again as she stepped onto the deck. She made for the basket of fish, but before she reached it, a hand caught her wrist and pulled her into a narrow space by the rail.
Alasdair.
His damp curls clung to the sides of his face, and his eyes flickered with mischief. It had been a month since they first talked to each other. They had only exchanged a couple of words before her father saw them… and Alasdair asked for her hand.
“Ye shouldnae,” Lily began, but he silenced her with a smile. “Faither will be calling for me soon.”
“Yer faither can spare ye ten minutes.”
She laughed nervously, glancing over her shoulder. “For someone who never defies him, ye seem braver than usual.”
“That’s just respect, but I am braver than usual,” he said softly, his eyes searching hers. “I am marryin’ ye.”
Her cheeks burned again. “It is only a small handfasting. Nothin’ worth such bold words.”
“Nothing worth it?” His voice dropped. “I look forward to it.”
He leaned closer, and she felt his breath on her skin, causing shivers to run down her spine.
“I look forward to kissing ye before yer family. I look forward to dancing with ye after.” His voice dropped further. “I look forward to touching ye, tracing every part of ye.”
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
He lowered his head, and his mouth brushed her neck, soft and slow. Her knees buckled.
His hands slid down, then up her legs, pushing her skirt higher until his warm fingers pressed against her thighs. He pulled her closer, slamming her chest against his.
“Alasdair,” she whispered. “We should wait. The handfasting is only two days away. We cannae kiss before that—do ye want me faither to kill us both?”
He laughed low and warm against her skin. “It will be worth it. But forgive me, I cannae help it. I want to make ye mine. Properly mine.”
She trembled at his words. “How would ye ken what to do?”
“I ken ye , lass. That’s all I need.”
Lily smiled warmly in response, and he returned it, though his eyes still burned with heat. He leaned closer, about to speak again, when a voice roared from above.
“Shaw!”
Alasdair stiffened. He pulled back at once, his eyes wide. “I must go.”
“Go,” Lily urged with a grin. “Or else me faither will turn ye into one of the fishes I gutted.”
He grinned once more and bent to kiss her lips quickly. Then, he slipped away, moving fast toward the upper deck.
Lily stayed where she was, her hands pressed to her mouth and her cheeks burning with sheer excitement.
Her first kiss. And the sweetest. She couldn’t wait for the next.