Page 7 of Bride takes a Scot

The king leaned closer. “Who is she?”

Declan chuckled. He wouldn’t say and would leave the king to wonder. “You shall see on the morrow, will ye not?”

Alexander hooted a laugh and rubbed his hands together. “There’s a nip in the air. Let us get inside before we freeze to death. I’ll see you on the dance floor. My wife has been pecking at me all eve to join her in a dance. I promised her only one go around.”

Declan followed the king back inside the hall. The music had just ended. Before the next ballad was played, he approached the woman he sought. “Milady Isabella, will ye join me?” He stood still, his shoulders stiffened while he waited for her reply.

Isabella curtseyed to him. “Of course, I will.”

He waved her onward to the dance floor where other couples, including the king and queen, awaited the first chords of the music. Declan faced Isabella and kept his gaze on her face. She was exquisitely beautiful with her blondish locks flowing over her shoulders. Her eyes, the bonniest blue, shone with merriment. What was it about her that affected him? He supposed he was attracted to her, but there was more to theattraction that held his gaze. She was brazen enough to look him in the eye, and she didn’t cower away. He appreciated a woman who stood her ground.

Declan hadn’t been with a woman in some time. It wasn’t because he had no interest in sex or courtship, but because clan matters took up most of his time. Since his wife had died, he hadn’t given much thought to the opposite sex or wooing a woman. At first, mourning prevented him from the interest, and since, he had too many pressing matters on his mind besides women or his needs.

Isabella stood out amongst the other women on the opposite side of the men. Again, he noticed her air of confidence and that boldness that drew him. With his lack of experience with women, especially of late, he wasn’t sure how to approach her. Would she be amiable to marry him? He hoped so because she was the only woman in the selection of lassies whom he wanted to pursue.

It was decided. One way or another, he’d take her home with him.

The music began and the troubadours played a slower song. Declan lifted his arm and moved with single steps toward Isabella. The moment his hand touched hers, she raised her chin and her eyes bore into his. Her touch brought awareness to his body as if he’d awakened from a long sleep and he was struck with desire. He circled her and turned back with double steps, keeping his eyes fastened on hers.

Each time he returned to her, his body came alive with sensations he hadn’t felt in a long time. Aye, he wanted her, and the fact that it was within his means to obtain her made him grin. All he had to do was beat his brethren in hand-to-hand combat to win her. Yet he was not well-versed in wooing a woman of her quality. At least he didn’t have to attend normal courtship rituals to win her hand.

As he mused about the tournament scheduled for the next day, they moved in unison in a variety of spatial floor patterns and repeated the movement to the beat of the music.

Isabella strode forward and clasped his hands as they took two more steps toward one another and then encircled each other. She moved easily, her body swaying and swinging to the music. Declan couldn’t help but notice the swell of her bosom above her modest bodice, and he swallowed hard at the sight of her creamy-colored skin. The dance continued, and with each step, his body heated and stiffened. Yet, her gaze never wavered from his and Declan felt as though only the two of them danced around the floor in the king’s large hall. He was unaware both the king and queen watched him and his dance partner until he turned to face them.

On the last turn about, he stepped forward and raised his arm again. Her palm touched his and sent even more riveting twinges through him. He would make her his wife, he decided, because there was no way he would allow another man to have her. Now, if only he had the ability to court her as she deserved, and to show her that he deserved her.

The musicians ended the song and the dancers ceased and disbanded. Declan bowed to Isabella and when he raised his face to look at hers, she smiled with shining eyes.

“You surprise me, Laird MacKendrick. I didn’t think you knew how to dance.” Isabella curtseyed to him and clasped his hand. “My thanks.”

He didn’t want to release her hand and held fast. “I usually do not entertain a dance, but I did not want to displease Alexander. He insisted I take to the floor.”

“It would do well to appease the king.”

Declan led her from the center of the room. “May I… Do ye wish for a refreshment?”

“I would like that,” she said and released his hand.

He was disappointed and wanted to continue to touch her, but he wouldn’t be so forward. Declan left her and retreated to the refreshment table, where he’d intended to get a drink for her. Her father approached and stepped in front of him, stopping him in his tracks.

“I take it you’re interested in my daughter?” Forrester glared at him.

Declan had never had a father to answer to before. His first wife was given to him by a neighboring laird, his daughter, for the safety and alliance their marriage would bring. He bowed slightly to the older man. “If I must choose a bride, I wouldst that it be your daughter.”

“You’ll treat her right?” her father asked.

“I will, Lord Forrester. Ye need not worry about her. I am an honorable man.” Declan spoke the truth because he’d never harmed a woman or mistreated her. Isabella wouldn’t need to worry about her safety.

“You will allow her mother and me to visit and to send messages? I heard that you northerners stay to yourselves and don’t allow outsiders,” Forrester said.

Declan didn’t know how to answer the man. His clan normally didn’t allow visitors or outsiders, and he was unsure if he should agree to visits from her family. “We shall see. But ye may send missives if you wish to stay in touch.”

“I suppose that is more than what I expected. We care greatly about our daughter, MacKendrick. If you do, by chance, win her hand, you will gain a great prize. Fair warning. She is a spirited lass and not easily tamed.”

Declan bowed to him, snatched a cup of wine from the table, hurried away, and retreated to where Isabella awaited him. The strum of a harp and the melody of a lute announced the next dance. Couples took to the dance floor. Isabella stood alone, watching the dancers. How lovely she appeared, but out of placetoo. She wasn’t a woman who frequented Alexander’s court given her amiable, yet demure, attitude.

On his approach, he regarded her. Aye, she was spirited, though. He had gotten that sense during his first conversation with her. She’d had the courage to tease him, and he admitted that he hadn’t minded so much. Only a few people had the bollocks or dared to jest with him. What he wouldn’t give to be the man to tame her.