Page 13 of Kilgannon #1

“But the Romans never took Scotland,” I said, trying to remember my history.

“They never took the Highlands,” he growled. “They were all over the Lowlands. But yer right, the Scots pushed them back and did the same to the English under Wallace and Robert the Bruce four hundred years ago. But I dinna think we’ll see that again.”

“What will you do?”

“Survive. That’s why I’m in London, trying to find a way to survive.

England is too powerful not to deal with.

I dinna ken what will happen. The way we’ve dealt with England before hasna always been successful for Scotland.

But that may change. Who kens, maybe some miracle will occur. ” I felt my eyes widen.

“You think James Stewart will return,” I said. He stared at me, his fork halfway to his mouth. “I’ve not mentioned the man.”

“But you do think he will return.”

His tone was cautious. “Until he’s dead, that will be a possibility.”

“Will you join him?”

He frowned and shook his head. “I dinna like the man. To tell the truth, Mary, I dinna like anyone in the government, any government.” He called for the gill.

“Enough seriousness. I’ve a mind to see Westminster Abbey, and it’s near to where we’re to meet Will.

Does that meet with yer agreement?” When I hesitated he leaned forward.

“I’ll keep ye safe, Mary,” he said solemnly.

“Are ye willing to go or shall we stay here until our hour is gone?”

I met his eyes and then smiled. “Since my reputation is in tatters, why not? All we need to do now is meet someone I know.”

“Dinna say that. I’d have to marry ye at once.”

“We wouldn’t want that,” I said, shaking my head.

“Oh, no.” He laughed and leaned forward, whispering. “I’d have to see yer beautiful face every day. It would be the first thing I’d see when I opened my eyes.” He watched me redden and he laughed. “I told ye, it’s fun to make ye speechless.”

“Alex. …” I began, quite flustered.

“Do ye find it a repulsive thought?”

I was saved from answering by the arrival of the girl. Alex pulled his watch out again and consulted it. “That’s beautiful,” I said, and he handed it to me with a pleased smile.

“I bought it this morning.” The watch was a brilliant gold, the case filigreed with an oak pattern, the face white with Roman numerals. Today’s date was engraved inside the cover.

“Trenchant and Son,” I read, glancing at him. The watchmakers were well known for their quality workmanship. I handed it back to him. “It’s lovely, Alex,” I said. “You have exquisite taste.”

He nodded. “Aye, I do. And in watches as well.” He took the watch and put it away in the bag at his waist, his color rising. “I felt like celebrating,” he said, glancing up at me.

“So do I,” I said softly, and felt my own flush.

“Good,” he said, standing and wrapping his half plaid around me with a smile. “Then it’s as it should be.”

Westminster Abbey was quiet, few people present.

I showed Alex around and he was an avid student, asking questions and looking everywhere.

He was subdued as we walked through the Lady Chapel where queens Elizabeth and Maty Tudor were entombed and where Mary Stuart rested.

When we got to the poets’alcove we stopped and I pointed out different poets.

I said one of my favorites was John Donne, who was buried at St. Paul’s.

“Oh, aye,” Alex said. “ No man is an island, unto himself … Good words to live by.” He looked down at the stones as we walked.

“My favorite poet isna buried here either. Andrew Marvell. Do ye ken his work?” I shook my head.

“I’ll give ye part of a stanza, lass.” He circled me slowly with a half smile, his eyes dark, his voice caressing me.

I stared into space as the words poured over me and felt his gaze on each part of me as he spoke.

I’d never felt so aware of my own body, nor had my body ever responded so forcefully. I closed my eyes and savored it.

Had we but world enough, and time, This coyness, lady, were no crime.

We would sit down, and think which way To walk, and pass our long love’s day.

… An hundred yews should go to praise Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze; Two hundred to adore each breast, But thirty thousand to the rest; An age at least to every part And the last age should show your heart.

For, lady, you deserve this state, Nor would I love at lower rate.

But at my back I always hear Time’s winged chariot hurrying near …

“That’s the beginning,” he said huskily, and was silent so long that I opened my eyes, looking across the dark stones to where he stood in shadow. “I always thought that poem a grand thing to say to a lass, if seduction were yer object.”

“Is it your object?” I whispered.

“Well, I wouldna say no.” He moved into the light slowly, coming to stand before me with an intent expression.

Over his head the arches of the alcove seemed to sway, and he caught my arm as I wavered.

I closed my eyes when he pulled me against him.

An hundred years should go to praise thine eyes/ ’he said, and kissed my eyelids softly in turn.

“ And on thy forehead gaze. ” He kissed my temples, letting his lips rest on my skin for an instant at each.

“ Two hundred to adore each breast.…’ He ran his hands along my shoulders and down my arms, then pulled me closer and kissed my hair.

I could feel his body’s unmistakable reaction to mine and felt my own tremble in answer.

For, lady, you deserve this state, ” he whispered.

“Och, Mary, I canna. … but make no mistake, I do want ye.” He kissed me with a passion I’d never known, and the world faded.

For a few moments we explored each other, then turned as one at a discreet cough behind us.

We saw no one there but reluctantly stepped apart, facing each other.

Alex smiled slowly. “I kent it, Mary. We’d not be bored.”

I shook my head, unable to answer. No man had ever spoken to me like this or kissed me like that and I wasn’t sure of my reaction.

I gestured to the side door, and he followed me without a word through the cloisters and into the street.

My mind was in a tumble, and I pressed my swollen lips together.

I knew I should have stopped him from touching me so boldly. I had chosen not to.

Outside, the rain had stopped, and I watched steam rise in wavy plumes from the street while he consulted his watch. “We’ll have to hurry,” he said, leading the way. “Yer brother will be only so tolerant, I’m thinking. I really was well behaved, ye must agree.”

“You were outrageous,” I said quietly.

“Ye dinna ken my thoughts, lass. I was very well behaved.”

I ignored my flush but touched my fingers to my lips and remembered. Alex watched me with a serious expression, and I searched for something to chase the thoughts away from both of us. “You’ll be back for only two days? And then leave again?”

“Aye, that’s the plan, but I’m going to see what I can do about that. I’ve already sent Malcolm on ahead to” —he frowned to himself—“to Holland instead of going myself; that’s why ye’ve not met him. Ye will soon enough. I must go myself now.”

“You’re going to France.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Am I?”

I nodded. “Yes. You say you’re going to Holland, which you may be, but you’re also going to France.”

He glowered at me. “Are ye always so damned clever, lass?”

“Sometimes I am very stupid.” And sometimes very foolish, I thought, then laughed. I felt reckless. And very happy.

“I canna believe that. Yer a clever woman, Mary, and ye make me laugh more than any woman I’ve met. I enjoy that verra much.”

“Don’t change the subject. You’re going to France. Why? ”

He laughed wryly. “Yer also the stubbornest woman I’ve met.”

“Yes, Alex, and you’re evasive,” I said.

He paused, his eyes a dangerous dark blue. “If we were not in public, Mary Lowell.…” he said, and started walking again.

“Why are you going to France?” I trotted along behind him.

“Wine.”

“Wine?”

“Aye. The English love their claret, even if they’re not supposed to buy it because of the war. I bring them their claret. And chocolate from the Low Countries. I’ll bring ye chocolate, lass.”

“So I will see you again?”

He stopped and turned to me. “That’s for ye to decide, Mary. If ye say the word I’ll be at yer side the minute I land. If ye say no, I’ll not bother ye again. Ye’ve been most kind.”

“I’ve not been kind at all, Alex. I’ve enjoyed every minute,” I said, and then shook my head. “Well, perhaps not every minute.”

He looked worried. “What did ye not enjoy?”

“If you remember, sir, I don’t like flirting, and that includes Rowena.”

He smiled slowly. “I’ll remember that.”

“Do you know what she told me?” He shook his head. “She said I should marry Robert and see you on the side.”

His eyebrows arched. “What is yer feeling on this suggestion?”

“I’d never be unfaithful to my husband.”

“Yer Campbell will be most pleased to hear that.”

“Perhaps not.” I held his gaze. “But perhaps my husband would be.”

He blinked. We walked for another minute in silence.

“Alex?”

“Aye?” He sounded distracted .

“You’re right. It is fun.” When he looked confused, I smiled up at him. “Speechless.”

He shook his head slowly. “Yer a one, Mary Lowell.”

“Alex, you did not answer my question. Will I see you again?”

He stopped again. “I told ye, lass. It’s yer decision.

Do ye wish to see me again, or shall I go away and no’come back?

” His hair blew around his shoulders, and the weak sunlight glinted off the tiny golden whiskers on his cheeks.

I watched his chest move with his breathing and a vein beat in his neck.

How could his eyes be so blue? I wanted to stroke his cheek, to kiss those lips, to hold him against me. Had there ever been a man like this?

“The minute you land, Alex, I’ll expect you at my door.”

“Mary, ye …” I’d not seen Alex flustered, but that’s what he appeared to be. “I …” He looked at the buildings around us and took a deep breath. “The minute I land, Mary.”

I smiled and then jumped as a shrill voice sounded behind me.

“Miss Lowell, how lovely to see you! Who is your friend?”

I turned to see Madeline Shearson, a fearsome gossip, and her daughter, Katherine.

When I introduced Alex as the Earl of Kilgannon, Madeline took a closer look.

Katherine needed no prompting, simpering as she offered her hand.

He bowed over it very properly. The gods were with us that day, for just as I would have had to explain what I was doing alone with a Scottish earl on the streets of London, Will appeared at my side.

“I’m back, Mary,” he said cheerfully. “How nice to see you again, Madam Shearson, and the beautiful Miss Shearson. Have you met my friend Kilgannon, who is visiting me from Scotland?”

I gave Will a bright smile and watched as he managed them effectively.

Within a moment he had bundled me into a carriage that had appeared at the curb and herded Alex in with us.

We waved good-bye to the Shearsons, and Will quickly explained that we were dropping Alex off at the next corner and returning home at once.

“We will talk later, Mary,” he said, trying to glower at me.

I laughed and he looked at Alex. “Kilgannon?”

Alex held up his hands. “I was an angel, Lowell. Ask yer sister. Until the last we had amazing luck. I’m in yer debt, sir.”

As the carriage drew to the curb again and stopped, Alex jumped out. “The minute I land, Mary,” he said, and closed the door on his smile.

Will raised an eyebrow at me. “I hope I don’t regret this.”

“I don’t, Will,” I said with a contented sigh. “Thank you.”

My brother frowned.