Page 35 of Her Highlander’s Darkest Temptation (Highlanders of Cadney #14)
“Aye? An’ what part o’ bein’ a friendly ear had ye insistin’ that she call ye by name?” Donall bit out the words, his Highland accent thicker than ever in his evident temper. “Or were ye hopin’ tae set yerself up with her on more friendly terms, like the ones ye’re on with the tavern lasses?”
“Laird Ranald!” Lydia stared at him, shocked at his rudeness. “There’s no call to be so rude…”
“’Tis all right lass. I think I ken what’s botherin’ him.” Alex flashed her a brief, somewhat strained smile. “An’ given that, I think I’ll take me leave o’ ye both fer the evening. I suspect the two o’ ye need tae talk.”
With that, he offered both of them a brief bow, gave Lydia another wry smile, then turned and left the library.
As soon as the door shut behind him, Lydia whirled to face Donall. “What was the meaning of such behavior, my laird? I thought Laird MacEwen was your friend.”
“He is. An’ I asked ye tae call me Donall.” He stepped closer. “I thought he might be pressurin’ ye…”
“You knew very well he was doing nothing of the sort. Your friend is an honorable man.” Lydia retorted. Her own temper was beginning to rise in response to his evasions. “And if you wish me to call you Donall, then you might well explain your atrocious behavior.”
“There’s naething tae explain.” Donall’s scowl was a forbidding thing, and Lydia might well have quailed under that glare at a different time, but now she was too irritated with his high-handed behavior to care. “I was just defendin’ yer honor.”
“My honor was never endangered. Not until you stormed in here growling like a bear being poked by a stick.” Lydia snapped back. “And you have yet to explain yourself.”
“I told ye, there’s naught tae explain…”
Exasperated, Lydia reached into the pocket of her apron and withdrew a small, folded sheet of paper. “If you will not answer me for any other reason, then I shall insist you give me an honest answer in exchange for this.”
She handed him the paper. Donall took it and unfolded it. His brow furrowed as he read the short contents. “One wish tae be redeemed by Laird Ranald, within limits.”
“Indeed. It is the wish I won in our chess match. I choose to redeem it for this. Tell me the true reason for your actions earlier today, and your unwarranted hostility toward Laird MacEwen just now… and not just now. I saw the same anger in your eyes the day I bandaged his wound, the day I became Evelyn’s apprentice. ”
“I’ve already told ye…”
“You have told me nothing, except a weak excuse. If you can do no better than that, my laird, then I…”
“I’ve fallen fer ye.” The words were a low growl, almost a snarl, well-matched by the look of frustration and passion that burned in his eyes.
“I never wanted tae, never intended it, but watchin’ ye, talkin’ with ye, seein’ ye every day…
the more I tried tae understand ye, the more I became entranced by ye. ”
The stark admission shocked the anger from Lydia, startling her from her indignation. “You… what?”
Donall took four quick steps forward and, before Lydia had time to realize what he was planning, he pulled her into a strong embrace.
Strong arms wrapped around her, a husky voice in her ear whispered words she’d both hoped and feared to hear.
“I’ve never felt fer any other woman what I feel fer ye.
Seein’ ye laugh with Alex was like bein’ poked with a red-hot poker in the gut, even though I ken there’s naught between ye.
I’ve tried tae put ye at arms length an’ I’ve tried tae keep ye close without lettin’ ye under me guard, but ‘tis nae use.”
“You… you… care for me?”
“More than I have words fer.” The admission was made in a voice so rough Lydia thought his throat must hurt as much as her heart did.
I should find a reason to step away - to push him away and discourage… whatever he thinks he feels for me. I should… I should…
Donall’s lips claimed hers, the warmth of his mouth like a spark to dry tinder, setting her ablaze with the deep, spreading heat of desire. His kiss was firm, insistent and questioning all at once. His hands cupped her shoulders as he tipped his head and deepened the kiss.
The resolve Lydia had tried so hard to cling to melted like wax before a candle flame. She wavered, leaning closer to Donall as thoughts tumbled through her mind.
I cannot afford to get closer to him. I am promised to another.
But if I am to live a life in exile, hiding from my uncle and Laird Cameron…
must I also live a life devoid of love, forever unable to give my feelings, my heart, to a man because I must hide my identity for fear of being discovered?
I do not want that. If this is perhaps my only chance to have a loving relationship… I do not wish to let it pass me by.
She had tried so hard to keep her feelings for Donall closed away, and her laird at arm’s length. She was as weary of that as she was of hiding who she truly was.
Lydia relaxed into Donall’s arms, let him draw her close and mold her body to his, even as the kiss broke and left both of them panting. Against her hip, she felt a growing pressure, and Donall let out a thick groan. “Lass… Lydia…”
“If you feel so strongly my laird...” Lydia twined her arms around Donall’s neck and smiled into his eyes. She was gratified to see his eyes darken with a desire that matched the slow-growing heat in her own blood. “...then show me what you feel.”
“Lydia…”
“Show me.” She swallowed, then leaned up to whisper a final word in his ear. “Please.”