"As if it were yesterday," Jamie smiled. "Once in France we rode like demons from hell because we heard of your parents accident. When we arrived on the grounds, under a large oak tree, a red headed demon dropped from the tree."
Laurent laughed, "How can you recall it in such detail?"
"I saw a fleeting glimpse of red and green flash, then my horse reared, and I screamed like a frightened woman. That’s when the imp began to laugh. I realized she was nothing more than a devilish little girl hanging upside down from a branch."
He walked to the sideboard. She had outfoxed him as a child and again this morning at the lake. She had succeeded in surprising him twice, but it would not happen again.
Jamie lifted the decanter, "Brandy?"
Laurent nodded, "I remember that her hair flowed halfway to the ground. I looked into those emerald eyes, heard her tinkling laughter, and immediately knew it was Nicolette!"
Jamie took a deep breath. Emerald eyes and tinkling laughter! Why did I not remember that this morning?
Laurent laughed, "Have you forgotten the rest?"
Jamie lifted his glass in salute, "I remember my anger and you were no help. You simply crumpled with laughter."
"I believe that I gave you leave to punish her!"
"You were her protector!" Jamie defended himself, "And no help at all! When she squealed your name, you promptly pulled her down from the tree and into your arms."
Laurent sat and crossed his long legs at the ankles, "If you could have only seen yourself when you fell off your horse. Your kilt flew over your head. What a grand sight that offered!"
Jamie sat across from him, with a wide grin on his face, "She was less than penitent, but apologized when she saw my..."
"Jamie, she continues to be just as incorrigible and charming, no?"
"No!" he frowned as he massaged the goose egg.
"You are still angry after all these years?" Laurent chuckled.
"She taunted me for wearing a skirt, my kilt, remember."
"Do you think she thought of that today when she seemed so shocked?" Laurent could no longer contain himself and laughed until tears filled his eyes. "Nicolette has always been mischievous. Luckily, she has never changed. She will lead you a merry chase, but I believe you will come to love her."
"Tell me does she still wear the locket?"
Surprised, Laurent gazed at Jamie, "The one that Mother gave her?"
Jamie nodded.
"I rarely see her without it. Why?"
"Years ago she placed a strand of my hair inside. I wonder if it is still there. It would be surprising, would it not?" Jamie laughed.
Pensive, Laurent walked to the fireplace, "Indeed, fate is strange. Perhaps this has always been our destiny. It was extraordinary that we met in America, was it not? Thank God, for we became friends and I need that friendship now more than ever."
Jamie stood, resting his hand on the mantle, "Aye. I have thought of it often."
"Tell me of more pleasant things. How is your clan?"
They had much to share, talking for hours until they came full circle.
"So Jamie, you know I would not ask you to marry Nicolette if were not important. I am glad to know we will become brothers with this marriage. Yet, I will not force you to fulfill your vow."
Jamie watched from the window as the day turned to sunset, "I will do anything for you, you know that, but what of Nicolette?" He thought Laurent seemed so very solemn.
"She has no choice. It is a serious situation, and one I will explain later. Now, are you committed to this betrothal?"
Jamie returned to the fireplace, gazing deep into the fire. Shadows danced across the walls much like the thoughts that drifted through his mind, "I will consent under one condition. She must agree. I will not force her. In either event, I will take her with me and keep her safe."
Laurent walked to the fireplace and Jamie shook his hand, "You will never regret your decision."
"Nicolette has grown into a beautiful young lady. I am proud to be her betrothed, and honored to be part of your family."
Jamie refilled their brandy, "To my future bride."
"Thank you my friend. You are saving her from a fate worse than death."
"That seems a bit dramatic. Are you preparing for the theater?" Jamie laughed when Laurent returned a gesture generally unacceptable in polite society.
"Soon it will be dark. You can get to know Nicolette better at dinner. I’ll see you here at eight."
~ * ~
Jamie soon found himself in Alec’s room, "So how are the others?"
Alec shrugged, "Everyone is fine, yet tired. They’ve said they’ll bring our meals here if we wish, but I think we are all too tired to eat."
"I will leave you then, I have much to consider."
"You still up to marrying the dragon leddy? It’s not to late to turn and run "
"Alec, this marriage is my business and mine alone." He walked out the door and shouted down the hall, "Mine alone, Alec."
~ * ~
Returning to his room, he paced, then finally lay on the bed. Rest escaped him as he tossed and turned. Alec’s words echoed in his mind. His thoughts of her were disturbing. "The seductress rising from the lake." Each time he closed his eyes, the image of her red-gold curls flowing down a nearly naked body or of her delicious curves, caused desire to blaze within. The vision of the woman’s perfect alabaster skin and her long slender legs tapering to trim ankles haunted him. Intoxicating memories of that last kiss at the lake rekindled his soaring passion.
"I may not love her," his lonely voice somehow less than convincing in the silence, "but I could become lost in those shimmering emerald eyes." He thought of her perfect lips, pink and moist, swollen from his kisses, and felt an instant response. Then he grinned when he thought of her reaction at the lake. "Begging for more," he laughed when he thought of his eagerness, then roared suddenly, "God’s teeth, how my head aches!"
In truth, only his pride was injured. He burst out laughing then rubbed his head again. He thought of the beauty walking seductively toward him in the early morning light, knowing of her allure. His earlier flame of desire quickly turned to anger when he remembered her sparkling eyes and devilish smile as she lured him into her trap. Silently, he promised punishment for her deception.
Her furious outburst in the dining room forced him to teach her a lesson, but it also excited him more than he cared to admit. He thought of the desire he found in her eyes and realized he was not the only one lost in this strange enchantment.
He rubbed the back of his head again and thought of the fiery Goddess of the Dawn, then stood and walked to the mirror, "Aye, Jamie boy, you had plenty of rest earlier. It is time to dress for dinner."
Three
It was shortly before eight, as Jamie entered the library, walked to the sideboard and poured a brandy. His thoughts were a tempest of desire one moment and filled with anger the next. "Tortured by the seductress of the lake," he whispered. Then rubbed the goose egg at the back of his head. She had won the skirmish at dawn, and he had in the dining room. Yet, the final outcome remained undetermined. Of course, I shall be the victor.
Jamie swirled the brandy in the bottom of the snifter, and watched the liquid surge back and forth. Temptress! He thought, as he wondered how to cool the raging fire that lived within since their last kiss. He wanted her. There was no question of that, but there was an illusive quality about his feelings that he did not understand. A distinction that he had never experienced before and one that made him uneasy.
Laurent stilled Jamie’s hand and smiled, then poured more brandy, the brown liquid dancing like tiny diamonds in the candlelight of the room, "Will Alec join us?"
Jamie finally tore himself from depth of his thoughts, "Nay, he remains with the others. I’ve asked for dinner to be served in their rooms."
"You are quiet." Laurent moved to the windows overlooking the estate. "Have you given more thought to my request?"
Jamie wa
lked over and put his hand on Laurent’s shoulder, "I told you before I would never refuse."
"The betrothal is firm then?"
Jamie smiled as he thought of the irony. If only Laurent could read his thoughts and see the raging desire he felt for Nicolette there would be hell to pay. He would ask him for a duel of honor at dawn, instead of this betrothal, "Certainly, I am honored to accept. I like the firebrand. Although, I wish that you would have told me that you were descendants of Joan of Arc on the first day I met Nicolette, that day she dropped from the tree."
Laurent burst out laughing, "Joan of Arc? Then tell me please, whom does that make you? Somehow, I believed you two to be well matched. I know no other man strong enough to bridle her!" he saluted with his snifter, "Well then, to your betrothal. To fire and ice, to Joan of Arc meets the dragon-slayer!"
Jamie raised his glass in reply. The dark window mirrored the blaze from the fireplace, and it centered near his chest. He nearly smiled again, how appropriate that it looked as if he were on fire. He noted Nicolette’s reflection as she entered and turned. His breath caught at the sight of her incredible beauty. Indeed, she did seem far too perfect for a lowly barbarian. He grinned at the thought. Somehow, he enjoyed the vision of the vixen and the voyeur.
Her dress reminded him of the color of the ocean in summer, with silver thread woven throughout and it shimmered like the moon on the water as she walked. Her eyes again flashed green fire, equaling the magnificent emerald and diamond necklace that she wore. The red-gold tresses were pulled to her crown with a diamond comb, and remained unpowdered. Long curls bounced down her creamy white shoulders to the tip of the daring bodice, inviting him to look even lower to the enticing curves.
He felt an instant reaction, and took a deep breath hoping to quell the assaulting desire. Indeed, her eyes, emerald in anger and green-blue when alight with passion, captivated him.
When he remembered to breathe again, he once more felt the familiar tightening in his groin and the pounding in his chest. Had she chosen her gown simply to entice him, realizing that he would remember every curve beneath? His control began to slip. Dear God, how he wanted her. All thoughts of Joan of Arc floated away like a feather in the breeze, as he fell under the spell of the siren. He turned and found Laurent’s gaze on him.
"I see you appreciate her beauty."
"Aye," he whispered.
Nicolette smiled. Her face seemed to light up as she greeted Laurent, kissing him on both cheeks.
Laurent turned to Jamie, "Shall we dine then?"
"Of course, I am famished."
Nicolette’s soft, sensual voice teased, tempting Jamie to draw near.
Laurent broke into his tormented thoughts, "Jamie, would you take Nicolette into dinner?" Laurent took her hand, placing it on Jamie’s arm.
"I am honored," Jamie looked down at the porcelain skin. His gaze moved up her arm and creamy shoulder, finally settling on her eyes. Fascinated, he watched them turn to emerald fire.
"I would prefer Laurent as my escort, if you don’t mind," she whispered.
"Aye, but I do mind, lass," holding her hand in place, Jamie refused to let her go, "Shall we?"
He led her into the dining room. Walls, covered in watered rose silk, glowed like an evening sunset in the brilliant candlelight. Rays of light sparkled like diamonds from the crystals in the chandelier.
"Elegant," he turned to her. "So much like you."
She ignored his compliment and looked away. He seated her then sat directly across the table. His gaze never left hers, until he heard Laurent’s laugh. He noted a quizzical smile on his friends’ lips, then grinned when he realized Laurent had guessed at his enchantment.
Jamie saluted his host, "As always, the food is delicious, the wine the best I’ve ever tasted, and the company intriguing."
"Thank you," Laurent acknowledged. "I do apologize that you must bear our company alone. I would have planned a soiree to welcome you, but there is so much happening in Paris that all our friends are there."
"I do not mind the intimacy. It will help me to become better acquainted with Nicolette."
She shook her head, "No Monsieur, it will not, for I do not wish to know you better."
Jamie laughed in surprise.
"Nicolette! I will not allow you to speak to our guest in this manner. I insist you apologize!"
Jamie smiled as Nicolette flushed a bright pink.
Soon the aroma of roast lamb filled the room and his mouth watered. "The food is extraordinary, just as it was years ago."
After he took his first bite, Jamie turned his attention to Nicolette. "Tell me Lass, what is it about me that you do not care for? Is it that you still have an aversion to a man in a skirt?" Jamie grinned.
Nicolette gasped then turned a bright shade of pink, "Of course! You are the man that fell from his horse!" Her joyous laughter filled the room.
Jamie gazed into her eyes. The wicked chips of fire turned to the color of a tranquil blue-green ocean.
"Indeed. I remember the man with the skirt above his head!"
They all laughed again, Laurent loudest of all, "You have your answer."
Jamie’s gaze slid slowly from Nicolette’s, to her lips, then bodice and back again. "It is hard to believe that you are that same little imp! You were a holy terror, a phantom with bright red hair that dropped upside down from that tree!"
Appreciatively, his gaze wandered back to the full curves, "Aye, and I remember brushing those beautiful tresses." His voice was husky and low, "I hope to do that again someday."
Nicolette’s eyes grew large, "Monsieur, this is highly improper, only a barbarian would say something so uncouth!"
Jamie smiled. His voice was a deep caress, "I could think of more intimate things to say." Then he spoke in a whisper, "Other more vivid memories stand out in my mind."
Nicolette squirmed uncomfortably in her seat as her face flushed a bright pink, "Jamie!"
Booming laughter filled the room, then instant quiet as he realized she had used his given name.
Laurent looked first at him then to Nicolette and back again. "You two have completely forgotten me," he laughed. "Chere, what intimate things might he speak of?"
"He is teasing us!" In her confusion, she tipped over her wineglass, and the deep red liquid spilled across the tablecloth. She glared angrily at Jamie, "He remains angry because he screamed like a woman when I frightened him from his horse."
"I am surprised you are disconcerted. I have known Jamie for some time and whatever you said to him as a child has been completely forgotten," he looked from her to Jamie. "Even the taunts about his skirt, I mean kilt, will not upset him," he laughed. "However, what you say to him now is another matter. Take care, Chere, for I have seen his temper and you have not. Besides my dear, what could he say, you’ve only just met?"
"Well, now we’re in the middle of it, lass!"
Just then Henri entered, walked purposefully to Laurent, and spoke in muted tones.
"I am sorry. My messenger has just arrived from Paris and it is imperative I speak with him, please do not wait for my return."
Nicolette’s eyes glittered dangerously as Laurent had left the room, "You really are a savage."
Jamie laughed, "At times, and in some ways, I suppose I am a barbarian, but I am so much more, and I am more than willing to show you a much softer side of myself, lass." He looked up to see sparks of anger in the emerald depths of her gaze, then shrugged, "I am Jamie MacQueen, Laird of the Clan MacQueen. I live in a harsh land and am such a man by the very nature of what I must endure. Yet, I make you a pledge that I will never mistreat you in any way."
She took a sip of wine, "And why should that matter to me?"
Jamie tried to hide his surprise, but said nothing as she continued.
"Laurent may trust you but I do not," she paused and a frown crossed her brow. "You are a voyeur, nothing more. However, since you are my brother’s friend, I will tolerate your presence here during your visit. S
olely for that reason will I be polite."
Jamie slammed his goblet down, the liquid lapping onto the table. His voice a deep, velvety, whisper, "I believe you did more than simply tolerate my presence this morning. Aye, I would say that you enjoyed those moments."
Nicolette’s eyes widened, "Monsieur, how dare you insult me? I did not take pleasure from what happened today. In truth, I despised every moment with you."
"I believe I can prove otherwise," he found her fury enticing and for a moment silence permeated the room. "Tell me, have you thrown down the gauntlet?" he grinned. "What a challenge it will be to induce you to change your mind. I shall delight in the effort. I have been told that I have a very persuasive way about me, lass." He paused, "Aye. Remember earlier, when we had our lessons from one kiss, to another? And let us not forget later," he smiled lazily.
"Zut! There will be no more lessons, and no further opportunities for further outrage!"
Jamie’s gaze wandered from her eyes to her lips, then lower, only to once more drift slowly to her lips, "Will there not, lass?"
"Indeed! Do not think you can take such liberties with me again! I will not allow it!"
Nicolette then rose and paced back and forth. She nodded to the footmen, "Leave us! You may bring dessert when I ring," she walked to the sideboard.
He spoke softly, attempting to soothe her fury, "Nicolette, it is a waste of time to argue. You do not wish to anger me. I always win. Come, allow us a pleasant evening. Give way lass."
Nicolette shrugged, "As you wish."
Jamie forced his gaze from her. He fought to control his impulse to pull her outside to the gardens and finish their last encounter. Perhaps he was a barbarian because the raging desire that plagued him could not be that of a civilized man.
He realized that she needed him to be charming and patient. To woo her and ease her fear, but his thoughts drifted and his eyes roved slowly over her figure, savoring every curve, imagining her nearly naked. The moment proved devastating and he gasped. He looked up to see her gaze moving slowly over him. When she glanced back, he smiled.
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