by Jackie Ivie
Colin was in profile to her, examining the miniatures dotted all over a section of wall. He was bending forward slightly, with his hands clasped behind his back. Elise coughed discreetly.
He slanted his glance to her, and then turned fully and stared. The look on his face said everything. His mouth dropped open, his eyes widened, and then he hit himself in the chest with a sideways fist. Elise couldn’t meet his eyes. She looked down and tried to curb the smile hovering at her lips.
She couldn’t seem to face him, either. She flitted her eyes to him as he moved. He walked toward her, and then he stopped. He started talking softly in that strange language of his before circling slowly about her. She knew now why she’d spent so long at the mirrors. It was to achieve that look in his eyes and on his face.
Elise couldn’t stop her own eyes from widening, and then narrowing repeatedly, as Colin moved. She pursed her lips to stop the smile from breaking into a grin, but nothing was stopping her blush.
Colin stopped in front of her and said one final word before quieting. Tension grew as he just stood there, unmoving. Elise moved her glance up his pleated shirtfront and met his gaze before shying away. She had to do it several times before she dared keep her eyes on his.
He was definitely getting more handsome, she decided. The lamp above them was causing the shadow from his eyelashes to dust his cheeks and was sending the cleft of his chin into prominence.
“I’m afraid to touch you, Elise.”
“Afraid?”
He licked his lips and looked away. She watched him suck in air; it was an erotic motion. “We’ve still a banquet to attend.”
She gasped, looked down, and grinned at the carpet beneath her. “You’re pleased, then?” she asked.
“Pleased?” One word, and then he lapsed again into that strange language.
“You always do that. Why? What are you saying? Is that the language they use in Darjeeling?”
“Nae, ’tis Scot ... the Gaelic of my ancestors.”
“What are you saying, then?”
He cleared his throat. “There is na’ a proper English translation for it, I’m afraid.”
“Try for one.” Elise watched in amazement as Colin flushed clear to his eyebrows. He wouldn’t meet her eyes, either.
“You’ll think me a fool, like that Easton fellow.”
“Are you speaking lovely words, then?”
“More or less.”
“Colin—”
“Do you have to do that? You say my name like a threat, and then doona’ finish what you’re threatening. You do it all the time.”
“Are you changing the subject? My ears must be failing me.”
“Nae.”
“Then tell me what you said.”
“You doona’ want to hear it. I’d bore you.”
She stomped her foot. “Is there something you don’t like, then?”
“I already told you I can na’ touch you. What more do you want to hear?”
“I want to hear what you said. I want to hear all of it.”
“I just can na’!”
He was looking somewhere over her head. Elise cocked her head and pursed her lips. “Did you tell me I look beautiful, then?”
He cleared his throat, and when that must not have been sufficient, he put a finger behind his bow tie and pulled it from his throat. “You’re making me regret speaking.”
He wasn’t getting out of it that easily. Elise narrowed her eyes. “Let me repeat myself. Did you say I looked beautiful?”
“That... and more.”
“What more?”
“It’s getting stuffy in here. I’m ready to gain the banquet hall if you are.”
“Why did you want to see me in here, then?”
“Oh, I nearly forgot. I’ve a present for you.”
“Beyond this dress and the diamond strands woven into my hair? You’ve a generous nature, Your Grace. You do like what has been done with my hair, don’t you?” Elise pirouetted before him and grinned at the choking sound he was making.
She stopped right before him and watched his gaze fly from her bosom, to the top of her head, then to the area around her nose. Elise knew he was avoiding meeting her eyes.
“Colin?” She reached a hand toward him, and he flinched back a hairsbreadth. She was close enough to see the nerve in his cheek twitch. She could also feel his breath on her cheek. It was making strange things happen to her knees and the backs of her thighs. “Fine, don’t give me my present, then.”
“I already told you I dare na’ touch you! Jesu’, woman! What more can you wish of me?”
“You can tell me what you said. Start with that.”
“Oh, hell.”
“I’m fairly certain you weren’t cursing through it. I would have recognized that word.”
“Here.”
The word was terse as he fumbled beneath his jacket to hand her a slender jewelry case. Elise let her fingers touch his as she took it from him. She watched him shudder. She couldn’t believe her eyes. The familiar humming was joining the sound of her own heartbeat in her ears, too.
She opened the box and gasped. There, on a bed of velvet, was a necklace of little linked diamonds shaped like stars. “Oh, Colin,” she whispered.
In answer, he seized her upper arms and pulled her against him, lifting her to tiptoes. The jewelry case snapped shut at the contact, but she barely heard it. She recognized his curse when she heard it, even if it was in Gaelic, and then he slammed his lips against hers.
Elise actually saw stars behind her closed eyelids, but she gave as good as she got. It was her tongue flicking against his and her tormented moan blending with his. Colin let go of her arms and wrapped his about her, molding her to him. One hand held to the back of her neck as he sucked on her mouth. Elise tried to help by blending into his shirtfront.
“Sweet Jesu’, but you’re an angel come to earth. Oh, Elise ... my sweet. There are nae words lovely enough to describe you. I’ve nae talent for finding them if there are.”
There was more, and he murmured them into her ear, shoving the hair from his way as he kissed her there, too. Heated shivers ran up her spine and settled into her breasts. Elise couldn’t believe that. She couldn’t believe any of it. She had caused him to do this. She didn’t know how to stop it, either. She had teased him to this, but she hadn’t known this type of excitement existed.
Who was she supposed to have asked? She hadn’t known she had such a wanton side, either.
Elise pushed on his chest, and at the first touch he groaned so deeply that it made the hair on her arms stand up. Then he yanked his head from her to look at the lamp hanging from the ceiling above them. She watched him fill his chest with great gulps of breath, and then hold them before he exhaled. After the third one, he lowered his head and pushed her his entire arm’s length away from him.
Her legs were shaky, and he seemed to know it, for he waited before releasing her. She couldn’t meet his eyes to verify it. She was amazed that she still held on to the jewelry case.
Elise looked at the clock on the wall and couldn’t believe so little time had passed. Her entire world had been upended in so little time? Where is the justice in that? she wondered.
“I’d apologize, Elise, but I did warn you.”
“I wouldn’t accept one.”
“Truly?” he asked.
“That was as much my fault as yours.”
“True enough. It’s big of you to admit it. Another of your talents, no doubt?”
“Thank you for the necklace. Thank you for the dress, too, and the diamond strands.”
“And for mussing it all up, too?”
“I am not mussed!”
“You’re right, you’re na’.” He ran his gaze to her toes and back up to her hair. “Na’ much, anyhow.”
“Colin—”
“See? There you go with my name again.”
Elise smiled. It was a relief from the tension of a moment before. It took a bit before Coli
n returned the gesture.
“Will you be able to clasp my necklace?” she asked.
“I would na’ even attempt it. I’ll stand patiently while you have a go at it, though. Looking as you do, I’ll na’ let you get far from my sight, anyway.”
“Since there doesn’t appear to be any mirrors, will you tell me if it’s straight, then?”
“How the devil are you supposed to get a necklace crooked? And use the windows. They work well enough.”
Perhaps she’d rather he spoke in Gaelic, since he was making her feel like a schoolgirl. Elise lifted the necklace and clasped it adroitly. She ignored him and walked to one of the windows. Colin was right; it was easy to see herself. He had probably been preening there before she arrived, she told herself and smiled.
Then she brushed one side of her hair over her shoulders and met the reflection of his gaze. He hadn’t moved, but he didn’t need to. He was glaring at her, and his chest rose and fell with each breath. Elise couldn’t move. Her mind was barely functioning.
“Are you na’ done admiring yourself? The sup will be cold afore we get there.”
“You don’t have to be rude.”
“And you doona’ have to be so damned desirable.”
“Pardon?”
“You needn’t ask. You heard me, exactly as I said it.”
Elise turned and kept her eyes on the area of the carpet where he stood. She didn’t dare let him see. He’d know then that she was fighting what had to be the same frustration and longing. It wasn’t fair, either. At least she knew why.
“Thank you ... for ... everything, Colin.”
“You’re welcome. Can we go now?”
He was being curt, but Elise forgave him. “I’ve never seen silk such as this. It’s so soft and—”
“I’ve nae wish to hear it described at present I already know exactly how it feels. That’s why I selected it.”
Colin’s voice lowered, and Elise had to tip her head up to hear him.
“Did you pick it from the marketplace in Darjeeling, then?”
“Something of that nature,” he replied.
“You have excellent taste.”
“So I’ve been told. Are you ready yet?”
Elise glided across the room to stand at the door. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting. If you’ll give me your arm, we can proceed.”
“My... arm?”
His voice was low but choked sounding. Elise smiled. “For an escort. You do wish to escort me, don’t you?”
“Perhaps we’d best wait until we reach the others.”
“You’re being silly.”
“And you’re being naive. Would you like another taste? I’ve had a bellyful of staying a correct distance, as it is.”
“Why are you acting this way?” she asked.
“Because I can na’ act the way I’d like. Not yet, anyway.”
“You’re speaking . . . riddles, now.” She’d lost her breath midsentence. He couldn’t possibly be implying what it sounded like he was.
Colin walked past her and shoved open the door, before going out with it. “Oh, Elise, my dearest, with the way you kiss? It’s a riddle that you’re still looking as untouched and innocent as the moment you stepped into this salon. And that I have na’ made certain of how that dress feels ... or rather how you feel in it.”
“You’re being very familiar, Colin. I’m not certain that I like it.”
Elise didn’t think she sounded like she was chastising him, although that was what she was trying for. When a sly half-smile curved one side of his mouth and he raised his eyebrows, she was certain of it.
“All right, I’ll wait, then. It will be midnight soon enough.”
“Colin—”
“That again? It’s na’ going to work. I’ve already said too much. It’s a surprise.”
“What’s a surprise?”
“Are you coming?” He was tipping his head as he spoke and gesturing with a hand at the same time.
Elise knew her eyes were worried. She couldn’t disguise it. She kept her gaze on the hall flooring as she stepped past him, and she kept walking. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do now. She hadn’t kissed him that way on purpose, but she’d not been in control of anything. She couldn’t think, either.
She followed the low murmur of conversation and slight strains of music and tried not to be aware of the man behind her. It was impossible.
“It will look strange if you enter the room as if I’m chasing you, Elise.”
“What?” Her brow wrinkled as she asked it.
“I’m your escort. You’re near to running.”
“Oh.”
Colin held out his arm, and the hand she placed on his sleeve shook. He sighed in an exaggerated fashion. Elise glanced up. The look in his eyes sent her stomach reeling, it was so tender.
“You, Madame, are a minx. It’s hard to believe you’re a lass of more than a score in years. It truly is.”
“If I want insults, I’ll sit beside the Marquise, thank you very much. At least with her, I know why.”
He placed his other hand atop hers and turned to her. “You wish to know of the dress, Elise? Verra well. I’ve had the material some time. I dinna’ know what had possessed me to buy it, at first. I dinna’ know until... well... ahem.” He stopped and cleared his throat.
“Until?” she prompted.
“Make me answer that later, fair?”
Elise nearly responded with his name in a threatening fashion, but she caught herself. He probably read it on her face.
“Anyway, I’ve had a bolt of it with me. I had a devil of a time getting it designed, sewn, and sent here in time, too. Took me another bit of time picking and choosing your jewelry, too. Doona’ think that was na’ difficult.”
“In time for what?” she whispered.
“Our marriage.” He was watching so closely that he saw her immediate reaction. She couldn’t keep it from him. “Does it frighten you so much, little one?”
Elise swallowed. He thought her frightened? She was horrified, yet filled with joy at the same time. She actually felt quite giddy. “What about my ...six weeks?”
“A valid question, to be sure. Any others?”
She couldn’t do this, and he wouldn’t let go of her hand. She’d have to tell him, after all. The words felt stuck in her throat. “I—I may not be a...fit wife for the MacGowan Laird. What of that?”
“Is that your lone objection?” he asked, raising his brows.
“I’m serious.”
“My clan has my protection. They doona’ have rights to my bedchamber, too.”
“Colin!”
“Admit that you feel naught for me. Tell me that you doona’ feel it. I dinna’ choose to want you, but I can na’ deny I do. I can na’ deny the passion, the heat, or the desire. I’d like to hear you try. Go ahead.”
She didn’t have any voice with which to answer. He was naming every emotion she felt.
“I can na’ keep my hands from you even standing here, and we’ve got an audience right in front of us to parade for. Tell me you’ve nae regard for me whatsoever, and I’ll try to honor it. Tell me you feel naught. Tell me. Go ahead, Elise. Tell me.”
They’d been spotted, for she could hear the announcement of their names and titles. She heard clapping, and then there was silence. She and Colin were causing a stir and Elise didn’t even give it a thought.
“Tell me.” Colin mouthed the words, for no sound came with them.
The majordomo was opening the door wider, probably to see what was keeping them.
“If I did so...it would be a lie,” she answered softly.
Chapter 16
“It will probably be cold.”
“Well, I think it’s dreadfully romantic.”
“It has potential. It’s obvious you’re a newlywed.”
“We’re all quite envious of you, my dear.”
“Well, I—” Elise started to mumble something, only to be interrupted.
>
“Come now, don’t be shy. We saw the way you two act. So in love, you look. I wonder if Herbert and I were ever that way.”
“Not that we ever saw.”
The Duchess of Argyle dissolved into giggles and the others about her did the same. Elise frowned instead. She wasn’t listening to their chatter. She was watching the clock. Midnight was but a half hour away, and her palms were getting clammier the closer it got.
“I’ve not seen Colin since he joined the regiment. I tell you, I’ve never seen him so happy, either. You’re to be congratulated, Your Grace.”
“What?” Elise asked, turning from the mantel clock.
The ladies had left the men to their port, as usual. Elise hadn’t been able to meet Colin’s eyes as she’d followed the others. She’d been grateful that he’d been placed beside the Marquis in a place of honor.
It seemed like every one of her heartbeats was repeating over and over what he’d said.
Far our marriage . . . for our marriage . . .
“I quite like how you’ve done your hair tonight, Your Grace. Are you attempting another fashion coup?”
“I’ve left those days behind me, Lady Beckon.”
Anyone within hearing distance could tell a snide tone colored everything Lady Beckon said to Elise. Elise let each and every one of her comments pass without one sly, biting, or querulous answer. It was unlike her, but everything felt like it was anymore. She hadn’t known that Sophie’s viscount’s parents would attend. Anyone who read the papers would have known that it would cause a problem. Perhaps that was what the Marquise had in mind when she’d created her guest list. Had she hoped to discomfit Elise for her reported dalliances with her husband, the Marquis, last year?
If she had, it wasn’t working. Elise glanced at the clock again. She’d lost another minute!
“Your husband told me at dinner about his plans. It is so very romantic,” Lady Norwich said.
He did? Elise bit her tongue to still the question. She’d barely found out what Colin intended, and he’d told others as well?