He cut her a sideways glance. “How do you think I’ve felt? Trust me, I’ve waded in the same sea of uncertainty as you, lass. It’s taken me a few days to grasp things.”
She peered at him with a wary edge. “And do you?”
“Aye, everything’s fallen into place for me.” He reached for her hand. “I hope they will for you as well.”
Accepting his offer, she twined her fingers through his. He glanced down at their joined hands, reveling in the might in her delicate fingers. Much like the rest of the lass. Despite her lean stature, the woman exuded such quiet strength.
“Truth be told, I’ve dreaded this moment,” he confessed. “I knew my past would create an obstacle between us. I’m not proud of the things I’ve done, nor is there an excuse for my behavior. ’Tis a part of me I cannot change. Believe me, I wish I could. For you.”
Untangling her hand, she shifted to face him, bending her knee and tucking her leg beneath her. Understanding softened her sad features.
“I know you cannot change your past any more than I can rid myself of the constant doubts and fears that torment me. Even if you could, I’d never expect you to change. Your past has shaped you into the man you are, Liam.” She glanced down at the scrap of apron she rolled between her fingers. “I’m sorry for my temper. ’Twas foolish of me to listen to Beatrice’s lies.”
With her downcast face studying her lap, she continued to fiddle with the bit of fabric.
“Nora, tell me. What’s bothering you?”
Biting her bottom lip, she glanced at the window. “I’m not a striking woman. Not like some of the clan’s women I’ve seen vying for your affections. How could I ever hold your attention? What I cannot fathom, for the life of me, is why me?”
What women? ’Twas truth, he’d failed to notice other women since he’d met Nora. His entire focus centered on the lass, a fact he’d accepted without any difficulty. True, he might struggle to understand his new feelings, but he embraced them for what they were—a privilege. ’Twas an honor to have found Nora, and he refused to forfeit his prize.
“You wish to know what makes you stand out?” He hoisted himself up and ambled over to the window. He peered over his shoulder. “Because everyone else is not you.”
A wealth of truth hung in the simple words. Everything about Nora, down to the smallest detail, set her apart from any other woman he’d ever met. No one compared to the lass, and he doubted anyone ever could.
He yearned to banish the uncertainty lingering in her eyes altogether. Compelled to move as he spilled his innermost thoughts, he began to wear a path in the cottage floor, pacing from one end of the small dwelling to the other.
“’Twas not so long ago I teased my cousin mercilessly over his tender feelings for his wife when they’d first met. The man was as irritable as they come while he tried to sort through his tangled emotions.” He snorted. “At last, I understand what Calum went through. Of course, I’m not nearly as frustrating. You should be pleased I’m not. Arabella was ready to throttle my cousin within an inch of his life.”
Pausing by the table, he chanced a glance at Nora and found the lass watching his every move. He held her dark gaze.
“I vowed I’d never allow myself to tumble head first for anyone. But I have, Nora—for you. You wish to know what makes you different? ’Tis your dark, expressive eyes. I could gaze into those alluring gems for days and never tire of the sight.”
Noting the bloom of color in her cheeks, he moved a step toward her.
“’Tis your kind heart. I’ve witnessed the kindness and care you’ve shown with Will and Geordie, with my mother, and even your garden.”
Liam shifted a pace closer. Her chest rose and fell with her accelerated breaths.
“’Tis your sense of honor, your integrity, the sharp wit you possess.”
With another step forward, he grinned.
“Even that frown of yours. You know, the one you frequently grace me with.”
Never one to disappoint, a scowl creased her features. “My frown?”
He chuckled at the outrage in her voice. “Aye, ’tis a most endearing sight. Each time you frown at me, I’m beset with the urge to kiss the look away. I’ll tell you what I adore more. ’Tis the smile you hold in reserve. When you smile at me, lass, ’tis as though you’re allowing me to view a part of yourself no one else has seen before.”
Obliterating the remaining distance between them, he stood before her. “’Tis how you make me feel. When I’m with you, I’m utterly at ease. There’s no need for me to spout some drivel to fill the silence, nor do I have to work my charms on you. You’ve seen straight through that nonsense from the start. I’ve never felt more at peace with another woman in my life. I do not have the answers for what’s between us, Nora, but I’ll be damned if I will walk away from you.”
With her wide eyes fixed on him, she released a shuddering breath. He extended his hand to her and she accepted without the slightest hesitation. Tugging her upright from the cot, he enveloped her in his embrace. The soft swells of her breasts pressed against his chest. Scents of wildflowers in spring drifted up his nose. Liam dipped his head closer to graze his cheek over hers and gave in to the urge to sink his hands in her silken tresses. Her contented sigh warmed his skin.
Pulling back to peer at her, he spoke from the heart. “These feelings I have for you, Nora, are not fleeting. They shall never be fleeting. If I can promise you two things in this life, ’tis that I’ll never lie to you and my loyalty is unwavering.”
As she nibbled on her bottom lip, her fingers traced over his tunic in a nervous gesture. “What do we do now?”
With an arm around her waist, he placed a hand over hers along his chest to still her fidgeting fingers. Unable to remove his gaze from her beautiful eyes, he savored the feel of her in his arms.
“What do you want, Nora? I’d do anything you ask of me.”
She lifted her free hand, brushing her fingers over the whiskers along his jaw. “What if I asked you to leave me alone?”
“Is that what you truly want?” He searched her warm gaze, seeking any hint she wished him to leave.
She whispered, “Nay.”
“Then what, my sweet lass?”
“Kiss me.”
Never one to withdraw a promise, he leaned forward to capture her mouth, pouring every bit of the passion he felt for her into a fervent kiss. His lass met him with equal measure, enflaming his response. Slipping his tongue past her parted lips, he swallowed her sweet moans, committing each sensual inch of her tempting mouth to memory.
A tremble moved through her lean frame and he hauled her closer, relishing in their perfect fit. As she moved against him, her hands drifted around his neck and her fingers tugged at his hair. The slight bite of pain heated his blood, stirring the length of his manhood below the belt. A flood of desire heated his blood, threatening to incinerate him inside out.
Saints, the irrefutable connection between the two of them, coupled with the depth of his feelings left him breathless and gasping for more. He’d never experienced such an overwhelming passion for another woman. ’Twas not lust guiding his response, but love. He knew it as sure as he’d never let his lass go.
Pulling away from their kiss, he leaned his forehead against hers. Their panting breaths mingled as they stared into each other’s eyes. Steadying the drumming beat in his chest, he brushed his thumb over the soft skin of her flushed cheeks.
“Do not ever ask me to leave you, Nora, because I fear I cannot.”
“Then do not.”
The huskiness in her tone sent a shiver cascading down his spine. She licked her lips, drawing his gaze to her enticing mouth. Rising on her tiptoes, she pressed her lips to his. He closed his eyes and savored her sweetness. He deepened the kiss, teasing her with long, languid strokes of his tongue. He’d never get enough—
A loud bang resounded through the cottage, startling them apart. His heart battering his ribcage, he yanked Nora behind his bac
k and shifted toward the entrance.
Will leaned against the door, his dark, unwavering gaze fastened on Liam. An unreadable expression cloaked the lad’s features. Nora spat out a faint curse and dropped her forehead against his shoulder blade.
Apprehension coiled in his gut. He’d not yet spoken of his intentions with Nora. Given his past, the young man must think the worst of him.
“Will.” Saints, what the devil was he to say? “Allow me to explain.”
Will shoved away from the door, crossing his arms over his chest, and shuffled a few paces closer. For a moment, Liam expected the youth might rail at him for mistreating Nora, but the lad’s grin stretched from ear to ear.
“Took the pair of you blasted long enough.”
Chapter Fifteen
Brightened by the fine spring day, Liam whistled a bawdy tune he’d learned with the lads in his youth as he strolled through the courtyard. He nodded and waved to clan members as he made his way to the stables to meet Calum and John. Though, he lingered abed a mite longer than he’d planned. No doubt, his cousin would have something to say.
However, after his encounter with Nora the day before, naught could dampen his mood. The memory of her soft lips and sweet moans stretched his grin wider.
The sun peeked over the treetops in the forest to the west as the bright ball began a slow ascent in the cloudless, blue sky. If they were fortunate, the mild weather would afford them prime hunting. Several of the clan’s men arranged to spend the morning gathering an assortment of game for the upcoming harvest feast on the morrow.
Grinning like a fool, he nodded at the head groom as he entered the stables. “Good day to you, Colin.”
“Your horse is saddled and ready, my lord.” The groom smiled. “The others rode out earlier.”
“Thank you.” Liam cuffed his cousin’s shoulder as he sauntered past to his gelding’s stall. “And a good day to you, Calum.”
His kin aimed a scowl at him. “You’re late.”
“Aye, but what does it matter? Let us enjoy the fine day.”
Calum snorted. “Saints, Nora’s truly gotten to you, has she not?”
On his cousin’s other side, John poked his head around to glance at Liam. “Our Nora, truly?”
There was no our Nora. She was his Nora, Liam thought with an unreasonable spike of jealousy, but he failed to comment on the matter.
“Aye, it would seem he’s fallen for the lass.” Calum chuckled as he adjusted his saddle’s stirrups.
Liam reached inside the stall to brush a hand down his roan’s nose. He cast a sideways grin at his cousin. “So what if I have?” He peered past Calum to the blond Fraser soldier. “Frankly, I’m astounding your wife has not shared the information with you.”
John grunted. “I assure you I love my wife and sons more than anything. But when the woman starts up her babbling and carrying on about some female drivel, my hearing tends to grow faulty. Trust me, after a few years, the pair of you shall learn.”
Liam tossed his head back and laughed. “Somehow, I doubt I shall have that trouble with Nora. The lass is not prone to idle chatter. In fact, ’tis likely I prattle on far more than the lass ever will.”
Calum barked out a laugh. “That’s the God’s honest truth.”
Stepping around Liam, the head groom unlatched the stall holding Liam’s gelding and swung open the railing for him to enter. “I think a good stretch of the legs will suit him well, my lord.”
“Aye, you’re right, Colin. I’ve been remiss with my lad lately.” Liam moved inside and brushed a gentle hand over the animal’s muzzle.
John led his gray mare from the stall. “Here’s to a successful day of hunting.”
Grasping the reins of the bridle, Liam moved to lead his gelding from the enclosure but the beast snorted out a loud whinny. Shaking his head, the beast backed away until his hindquarters bumped the rear timbers of the stall. His hooves stamped at the ground in agitation.
“Ho, lad. Easy there,” he coaxed in a calm tone.
Frowning at his mild-mannered steed’s unusual behavior, he moved closer and stroked the roan’s head, scratching behind his ears, in a bid to soothe the beast. When the horse settled, he led his mount from the stall.
Tightening the girth around his stallion’s flank, Calum peered over the top of the saddle. “Is something amiss?”
“He’s a bit skittish for some reason.” Liam ran his hand over the horse’s withers and the animal sidestepped. Usually as docile as an old nag, the sturdy gelding never put up much fuss. He checked the bridle to ensure the bit did not pain the animal.
Calum and John mounted their horses and plodded toward the entrance. His cousin halted his stallion at the doors and glanced over his shoulder. “Is he all right?”
“He’ll be fine.” Liam lulled the beast with soothing strokes along his neck. He leaned in closer. “Come on, old friend. You’ll enjoy a bit of fresh air.”
After several long moments of wheedling, the animal ceased his agitated motions. The gelding nudged Liam’s shoulder with his nose, seeking attention. Liam obliged with more scratches behind the ears, a show of affection the horse enjoyed.
Circling his gelding, he inspected the beast from nose to tail, affirming the horse had not suffered an injury in some fashion. Certain the beast had calmed, he adjusted the stirrups and stuck his booted foot in the rung. He gripped the pommel to hoist himself upward. As soon as he swung his leg over the saddle to seat himself, the gelding released a shrill, hair-raising neigh.
At once, the animal began an agitated dance around the stables. His movements grew wild and unmanageable as Liam struggled to bring the roan under control.
“Ho, lad! Settle down.”
What the devil was the matter with the beast?
Calum twisted around in the saddle. “Dismount, Liam.”
The more he pressed the horse’s flanks and tugged at the reins to restrain the animal, the more untamed the horse grew. The head groom darted ahead to try to grab ahold of the bridle, but the gelding jerked to and fro over the stable floor, threatening to trample the man. Colin ducked for cover on the opposite end of the stables and shouted to the other grooms for aid.
Pawing and stomping at the hard-packed earth, the animal tossed his mane back and forth as he swayed with unsteady movements.
“Liam, get off now!” Calum yelled as he dismounted his stallion in one swift motion.
By the blasted Saints, he was trying.
Yanking his feet from the stirrup irons, he attempted to jump from the saddle, but the roan bucked his rear legs with sharp kicks that sent a jolt of alarm through Liam. His heart thundered to the same tune as the gelding’s enraged clomps. He gripped the pommel for dear life while the animal kicked his legs, endeavoring to toss his rider. Another abrupt, strong kick of the horse’s rear legs and the powerful jerking motion unseated Liam, sending him sailing over the gelding’s head.
“Liam!” His cousin’s panicked bellow resounded throughout the stables.
He landed flat on his back with a hard smack. The base of his skull cracked on the hard-packed dirt floor of the stables. The jarring impact shoved the air from his lungs in a painful whoosh of air. Black dots swam before his eyes while he labored to draw breath. Every blasted muscle and bone in his body screamed in protest.
Thin leather straps tapped at his cheeks and heavy, heated snorts warmed his face. The gelding lowered his nose to nuzzle Liam’s splitting head just as darkness blessedly claimed him.
*
Humming a tune her mother used to sing when Nora was a child, she arranged the last of the flowers she’d plucked into large bouquets to place among the trestle tables with the fare. Smiling, she ran her fingers over the delicate blooms, struck by the notion the blossoms appeared a shade brighter than usual. Then again, ’twas most likely her good mood.
Since Liam’s passionate kisses and his touching words the day before, she’d drifted along on a cloud of bliss. Her chest swelled with feelings for
the man. Of all the men she might’ve given her heart to, ’twas almost laughable she’d chosen Liam MacGregor—charmer, a bit of a lecher, and as silly as ever.
Of course, he was also caring and warm. Steadfast and clever. He was unlike any other man she’d encountered. The flutters in her belly started each time the man aimed that foolish, handsome grin of his at her. ’Twas odd but, in his company, she’d never felt more comfortable with another male, aside from her brother.
Thankfully, Will had not teased her after discovering her and Liam together. At first, she’d worried her brother might disapprove but he’d embraced the knowledge with delight.
The shout of her name wrenched her from her musings. Outside the cottage, the groan of the gate whined a scant moment before the door swung open and her brother filled the doorway, panting to catch his breath. His tawny hair clung to the beads of sweat on his brow, while a red tint filled out his cheeks, as if he’d run a great distance.
“Nora.”
The tone of the single word, paired with the concern plastered over his features, sent her mild curiosity plummeting into dismay. The flowers in her hands dropped on the table and she pushed upright, shoving her chair backward. “What it is?”
“You have to…” He bent at the waist with his palms on his knees, panting to draw in air. “Liam’s hurt.”
Panic gripped Nora by the throat, pressing with a firm squeeze. Her stomach plunged to her toes. When she recovered enough to move her limbs, she darted for the entrance, wedging in between Will and the door. She spared not a moment for her brother to follow.
Without another thought, she pushed her legs as fast as they’d carry her through the village, over the small, wooden bridge, and through the courtyard. Nora sprinted up the keep’s front steps and shoved open the main doors. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, she slammed into a solid mass with a smack.
Laird MacGregor gripped her elbows to steady her. His stern, scarred features softened the moment he recognized her. “I was on my way to find you, lass.”
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