Page 174 of Taming the Highland Misfits

Ramsay felt like a thirsty man in a desert who had just been given a drink of cool, clear water. How he had missed her! He ran his hands over the shining mass of her hair, cupped her soft breast, and teased the nipple with his thumb through the fabric of her dress.

He inhaled her floral scent but found the natural musk of her body much more arousing as he pulled her still closer. His manhood surged into life, and he would have given his eye teeth to be able to lay her down, sink into her, and make her his.

Ailsa felt the bulge of his arousal rubbing against her, and her own desire rose to meet it; she felt the familiar warm wetness and the sweet torture of the tantalising, throbbing pulse between her thighs.

It was both pleasure and pain; pleasure because of the way she responded to him, and pain because she knew that these few stolen moments might be all they would ever have. Reluctantly, Ailsa pushed Ramsay away, and seeing the disappointment in his eyes was almost her undoing, but she had to make the most of their limited time; there was still so much to tell him.

“Listen,” she said urgently, “I think Larry is the killer, and I have evidence; letters he wrote to Molly, my maid and closest friend. At least that’s what I thought she was. I think they are working together on a plot to overthrow my father and take both estates. I do not have time to explain it all now, but trust me, Ramsay. I know it is Larry who killed John and I am going to see that he pays for it.”

For the first time, Ramsay saw a ray of hope. He smiled, seeing the determination on Ailsa’s face. Could she do it? Could anyone? “You are incredible Ailsa,” he said warmly, then he recalled something important. “I am so glad you are on my side. One more thing; do you remember the cut on his leg—f he is the real killer?”

Ailsa nodded. “Katie, my sister, had been watching him as he came to Mullrig castle last time. She saw him limping once when he thought no one was looking,” Ailsa replied. “He is despicable. Ramsay, before I go, you know that I will have to act as if I hate you again. Remember that I am doing what I must, and not what I want to do.” She looked up at him desperately and put up a hand to touch the cheek she had slapped. “I am so sorry,” she murmured.

“I know that now,” he replied, and covered her hand with his. “I know you need to pretend to hate me, but it does not matter what you do or say, Ailsa, because I love you. I always will.”

“And I love you,” she told him, smiling, then her expression changed to a scowl. “And I am going to make sure that Larry Ormond’s name is mud before the day is over.” Her voice was a growl.

“I believe you,” he told her, “but Ailsa, be careful. Larry Ormond is a nasty piece of work, and if our plan fails and he knows you have worked against him you never know how he might take revenge.”

“He cannot do much from behind bars,” Ailsa answered. “And Molly cannot help him, since she has been imprisoned too in our cells. My father put her there as soon as he found out she had betrayed us.”

Ramsay was not in the least surprised. On the odd occasion when he had seen Molly with Ailsa he had sensed an air of aloofness about her, as if she was detached from everyone around her. He had never received the impression that she was fond of Ailsa, but then he had not been in their company very often.

He put his arms around her again and held her close. “If I leave this place alive I never want to let you out of my sight again,” he whispered in her ear.

Ailsa did not answer; her throat was too choked with tears at the thought of never seeing him again. “Do not say ‘if’” she told him. “But ‘when.’”

Ramsay looked into her eyes and kissed Ailsa again with such tenderness it was almost unbearably sweet. Just then they heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming towards them, and Ailsa stood up and took a few steps backward, putting some distance between them. She folded her arms in front of herself and scowled at Ramsay again.

“All done?” Larry asked, smiling in, what seemed to Ailsa, an absolutely repulsive fashion.

“Indeed I am,” she replied. “Let me out of here, please, Larry.”

Larry opened the cell door, which had been shut but unlocked, and Ailsa marched out. Larry gave Ramsay a smug, triumphant grin, then slammed the gate shut behind him. It closed with a resounding crash.

Larry put his arm around Ailsa’s waist. “Did he upset you, Ailsa?”

Ailsa shook her head. “No,” she mumbled. “Take me away from here, Larry.”

“Of course,” he said gently. “As long as I am here you need never fear him again, Ailsa.” He took a lock of her hair in his hand and smelled it, aiming a smug grin at Ramsay as he escorted her away.

Ramsay almost roared with frustration as he stood up and watched Ailsa walking down the corridor until she passed out of sight. Despite the fact that he knew it was all an act on her part, he felt fiercely jealous. Larry was freely enjoying Ailsa’s company while he was languishing in a cell, but he was reassured by knowing that Ailsa was on his side. She would fight for him with all the strength she had, and she was the most stubborn, strong-willed person he knew. He knew he could not be in better hands.

* * *

“Have you ever explored our castle?” Larry asked as he and Ailsa arrived at the top of the stairs that led to the atrium.

“No,” Ailsa answered, smiling at him. “Do we have time?”

“The trial does not start until the middle of the afternoon,” he informed her. “We have about two hours. Are you sure you do not want a little something to eat?”

Ailsa considered for a moment. If they were beside other people at a crowded table she would not be able to prise any useful information out of him. Much as she hated the idea of being alone with Larry Ormond, she wanted to know if there were any escape routes out of the castle and look over the battlements to see the lie of the land below them. If things did not turn out as she hoped they would, she would have to try to make some sort of an escape plan. She also wanted to try to get a look at Larry’s leg.

“I would love to look around,” she replied. “As long as you escort me.”

Larry all but preened himself. “Of course,” he said delightedly. “It will be such a pleasure to escort the most beautiful woman here on a tour of my home.”

Ailsa cringed inwardly at the insincerity and lack of subtlety of his flattery.He has not had to sweet-talk many women before,she thought contemptuously.He is really not very good at it.