Never one to deliberate for long over any decision, preferring instead to make a choice and accept the results, Allegra gave a sharp nod. “Fine then. One kiss, then out you go.”
The flicker of surprise in his gaze almost gave her pause, but she was already stepping forward between his spread thighs, her hands bracing on his shoulders as she lifted her chin and touched her mouth to his.
It should have been quick.
A brief press of lips, then done.
She couldn’t have anticipated the raw, masculine sound that rumbled from his chest at the first touch of her lips or the way it made her belly dip. Nor had she expected him to wrap his solid arms around her waist to pull her into him until they were flush against each other.
He felt so good—so hard and warm and male—that she forgot all about making the kiss quick. Her belly trembled as sensations rushed through her, sensations that sparked along every nerve and swept rational thought clear from her head.
Another rumbling growl and the thrust of his tongue into her mouth undid her completely.
She melted.
Her arms slid around his neck of their own accord; her breasts flattened to his chest as she leaned into him. And the thick ridge of his growing erection made itself known against the juncture of her thighs.
This time the low moan in the midst of their kiss was her own.
She’d never known a kiss could be so overwhelming—so devouring. His mouth demanded her utter surrender as he thrust his tongue along hers and pulled at her lips with his before dragging his teeth over her lower lip with a rumble of satisfaction in his chest.
The rough sound stirred more heat in her blood and low in her body.
She wanted him to make that sound again. She craved it.
Bringing one hand to the side of his face, she drew her fingernails through the soft texture of his beard before sliding her palm down to rest against his throat where she could feel the fierce rhythm of his pulse. He was so strong. So masculine and intense and big. He could so easily overpower her, yet she didn’t feel the slightest bit vulnerable in his arms. She felt oddly…cherished.
When he lowered one of his large hands to roughly palm her rear, she sighed in satisfaction. As his tongue tangled deliciously—ravenously—with hers, he gripped the back of her bare thigh, lifting her leg until her bent knee rested atop his hard thigh.
His palm was hot and calloused and she wondered what it would feel like sliding over more secret places.
As though reading her mind, he eased his hand up the back of her thigh. She tensed in anticipation, her breath catching. A moment later, he gently cupped the slick heat of her core. Allegra gasped as a fresh pulse of need coursed through her. On instinct, she tipped her hips, pressing herself to his palm.
A ragged sound issued from his throat as he lifted his mouth from hers to mutter in a thick growl, “Gods, woman, ye’ll scorch me alive. I’m near to explodin’ from yer kiss alone.”
Allegra opened her eyes to meet his gaze, which had become heavy-lidded and darkened with passion. The sight of such a strong man so fully aroused and desirous was nearly devastating.
“If I’d known ye were hidin’ all this fire, I’d never’ve let ye oot of that bed.”
His words acted like a shock of cold water being tossed over her head as Allegra was suddenly reminded of what could befall a woman who gave in to her desires.
The languid curve of her spine tensed and her thighs tightened.
His gorgeous green eyes flickered with confusion. When she pressed her palms to his hard chest and took a step back, he loosened his hold but wouldn’t release her completely, instead shifting his hands to rest them possessively on her hips.
“You need to go,” she said, grateful for the firmness of her tone when everything inside her trembled.
He lowered his chin. “Ye canna kiss me like that then heave me oot the window.”
The hint of arrogance in his tone prompted her to push more firmly against his chest, though he was about as moveable as a stone wall. “I can and I am. Get out.”
With a ragged sigh, he gave a final resistant squeeze of her hips—his strong fingers imprinting upon the softness of her flesh—before he released her completely.
Allegra stepped out of his reach. But before she could claim another full breath, his mouth widened into a confident grin that made her pulse flutter.
“I dinnae ken who ye are, but I’m gonna find oot. And then I’ll be comin’ for ye tae finish what we started.”
A breathless jolt of anticipation seared through her, but she shook her head. “You’re never going to see me again.”
“Tell yerself that, lass, but we both ken it isna true.” With another grin and a swift heated glance over her body, he swung his legs through the window and pushed off all in one movement.
Allegra took a hasty step forward but then stopped herself.
He’d be fine. The drop was nothing for a man his size.
But still, she held her breath until the sound of his deep baritone singing a rather bawdy tune drifted up from below. She turned away from the window with a huff of relief followed by a deeper sigh that released only a small bit of the tension winding through her body.
She needed to dress and be on her way. She did not want to chance another meeting with the Scot. And she sure as hell didn’t want to think about what had almost transpired. Or what had transpired.
Glancing toward the corner of the room where she recalled seeing her trunk the night before, she stilled. A prickle of alarm swept through her.
Why did her trunk look more battered than usual? And was it bigger than it had been the day before?
She rushed forward to open the lid only to slam it shut again as soon as she saw the men’s clothes folded neatly within.
Oh my God. He’d been right.
It was his room. She was the one who made the mistake.
Her cheeks burning with embarrassment, she frantically redressed in the clothes she’d worn the day before. After twisting her hair up and securing it the best she could, she peeked out the door and scanned the hallway. It was blessedly empty and as she recalled the direction her driver had given her the night before, she realized that in her exhaustion, she’d entered the room on the left instead of the one on the right as she should have.
Holding her breath, she scooted quickly across the hall and into her room, where her trunk was resting against the wall exactly where it should be. For the first time since her maid’s abandonment in Edinburgh, she found herself grateful to be without a personal servant. No one need ever know of her humiliating mistake.
No one beyond the thick-muscled Scotsman, anyway. And as she’d assured him before he made his leap from the window…she was never going to see him again.
Chapter 4
The rest of the drive to the Darrow estate in County Ross was essentially uneventful. Allegra remained beneath a heavy woolen lap blanket, tucked into the corner of the carriage until they turned down the curved drive toward the palatial seventeenth century mansion.
Leaning forward to see better out the frosty window, Allegra admired the symmetrical design and classical features of her friend’s home. Though she knew Darrow House had been built over the partial remnants of an old twelfth century castle, the sight greeting her was that of an elegant and formidable aristocratic manor.
Allegra and Susanna had attended the same boarding school in New York and had become immediate friends though Allegra had been a year ahead. Reserved and slightly cynical, even as a child, Allegra had taken the impetuous, idealistic younger girl under her wing. When Susanna’s father unexpectedly inherited an English title from a distant cousin, he had moved his daughter across the Atlantic.
And now Susanna was nearly two years married and living in Scotland.
Despite the years that had passed and the distance between them, the women still knew each other’s deepest secrets and most fervent hopes, which was why Susanna had been begging Allegra to come to Sco
tland for an extended stay for nearly a year. Allegra had finally decided to take her up on the offer.
Northern Scotland in the winter.
As the carriage door opened, allowing a gust of December wind to swirl beneath the fall of Allegra’s skirts, she wondered why on earth she’d agreed to such a thing.
One stately footman helped her step from the carriage to the frozen, snow-packed earth while another waited at the top of a set of wide stone steps, holding the front door open against the wind.
As soon as she crossed the threshold into the grand and ancient home, the door closed behind her and she was surrounded by the warmth of an entry hall that was smaller and far cozier than she expected. A butler helped her with her cloak, intoning solemnly without a trace of Scottish burr, “Lady Darrow will be down shortly…”
His words faded off as rushing footsteps could be heard just out of sight at the top of the mahogany staircase situated to the left of the front door. With a small chuffing sound, the butler backed into the shadows just as Susanna flew down the stairs with a cry of delight.
“Allie! You’re truly here.” The young countess reached Allegra and wrapped her in a swift, exuberant hug. Then she pulled back with a wide smile that shifted swiftly into a frown. “How can you possibly look so composed and lovely after traveling for so many days? I swear I looked a wild mess when I first arrived.”
Susanna had changed very little in the years they’d been apart. Her hazel eyes were as full of life as they’d always been. Though her dark blonde hair was coiffed more elaborately than it used to be and her elegant gown was fit for British aristocracy, nothing could diminish the impetuous optimism that had gotten her through the many turns her life had taken.
Allegra smiled conspiratorially as she leaned in close. “Didn’t you make the trip as part of your honeymoon? I imagine you didn’t get much rest on your journey.”
Susanna didn’t bother pretending not to understand Allegra’s reference as she offered a saucy wink. “Excellent point.” Then she took Allegra in another quick hug before linking arms with her to lead her from the hall toward an open door across from the stairs. “My God, it’s good to see you again. I’ve missed your bold irreverence and that sly smile of yours.”
“Yes, well, I imagine I’ll end up shocking more than a few of these proper British types with my forward American manner.”
“If we were in London, it might be a different story,” Susanna replied with only the slightest trace of bitterness as they settled beside each other on a plush settee. Allegra was well-aware of the social challenges her friend had faced in her four failed London seasons. “But up here, life is much more relaxed and unrestrictive.”
“Well, it obviously agrees with you,” Allegra noted. “You are positively glowing with health and happiness.”
Susanna’s smile turned secretive as she glanced down at her lap. “I am very happy and healthy indeed.”
Allegra warmed with a sudden suspicion as she took her friend’s hand. “You’re expecting.”
Susanna nodded. “Late April.”
“How wonderful,” Allegra replied, her heart bursting. “I am so thrilled for you.”
“Oh, my goodness,” the countess exclaimed, “I’ve been so excited by your arrival, I didn’t even think that you’d probably like to be shown to your room. You must be desperate for a bath and some rest after your long journey. Dinner won’t be for a couple hours, so there is no hurry. Now that you are here, we have unlimited time to catch up.”
Allegra would have been content to chat for a while longer, but a long, lingering bath did sound wonderful.
As Susanna led Allegra to the guest wing, she explained that she’d chosen her room specifically for its view of the Torridon Mountains that rose up along the horizon. “It’s a stunningly powerful sight. You’ll love it.”
Susanna wasn’t exaggerating. The view was magnificent. As was the room itself; decorated in a calming palate of pale green and dark grey, the space was large enough for an enormous four-poster bed as well as a small seating area arranged in front of a large stone fireplace carved with a leafy floral motif.
Before leaving Allegra with a young maid who was already getting her things unpacked, Susanna said, “I’ll have a bath brought up right away followed by some tea and sandwiches.”
“How very British,” Allegra teased.
Susanna responded with a wrinkling of her nose. “I know. Who could have guessed back in our school days that we’d end up spending the Christmas holiday together in the Scottish Highlands?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, the countess’s expression darkened with the recollection of just what brought Allegra so far from home. “Oh, Allie, how careless of me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I couldn’t be more content with where my life is now. I finally have the kind of independence I craved in my youth. I refuse to be held back by regrets.”
The countess smiled. “I think you’re going to love it here.”
Allegra took a deep breath of the winter air and let it out in a puff of vapor that dispersed as quickly as it formed. After a week in the highlands, Allegra had grown more accustomed to the northern wintry chill. As long as she wrapped herself in her fur-lined cloak, stuffed her hands into woolen mittens, and kept a brisk pace, she managed to stay comfortable during her outdoor excursions.
In the short time she’d been in Scotland, she’d come to love the rugged landscape, the rawness of the uneven terrain, and occasional ancient remnants of civilizations long past. There was something in the sights, the sounds, the very smells of the Highlands that invigorated her in a way nothing else ever had. Whenever she explored the expansive Darrow estate on foot, she experienced a sense of inspiration and discovery that mingled seamlessly with an odd feeling of being welcomed home.
She wished she’d made the trip months ago. Years ago even.
Aside from how much she was coming to love the highlands, it was also wonderful to see her friend so well settled and so utterly adored by her husband.
Though the marriage between the Earl and Countess of Darrow had come about as a business agreement rather than a courtship, it was clear the handsome, dark-haired Scotsman loved his American bride, as she did him.
Seeing the happiness her friend had claimed despite the difficulties she’d faced during her first years in England was heartening. Though her own life had turned off in a direction she hadn’t anticipated, Allegra refused to accept that her dreams were no longer attainable. She’d simply have to form them out of new material.
Deciding to go a bit farther on her walk today than usual due to the milder weather, Allegra found herself on a path that wound between craggy boulders on its ascent up the side of a rock-strewn mountain. The air wasn’t quite as frosty as it had been in the last few days and though the land remained covered in patches of ice and snow, the narrow footpath she followed was well worn and clear.
When she finally reached the summit, her lungs ached from the exertion of the slow and steady climb, her cheeks were chafed, and her eyes teared from the brisk wind buffeting her face, but the view was enough to steal her breath in the most invigorating way.
Laid out before her were hills and valleys surrounding a dark blue lake that hadn’t completely frozen over. Tucked in against a dark forest not far from the lakeshore stood what looked to be a gamekeeper’s cottage or a hunting lodge of some sort. Smoke drifted from the chimney.
The scene was so quiet and lovely, Allegra breathed deep to dispel the ache of longing that suddenly tightened her chest.
A few more cleansing breaths of highland air quickly dispelled the regret she refused to empower. There was much she’d lost as consequence to her Great Mistake, but it had brought her here to this amazing place. For that, she had cause to be grateful.
The unexpected sound of someone approaching shot a spike of awareness through her—and no small bit of annoyance. She was no longer alone on the barren mountaintop.
Turning, she saw a lar
ge man ascending to the peak from a path opposite the one she’d taken. He wore a thick overcoat of dark brown wool and had one large hand wrapped around the end of a walking staff while the other carried a large stone. Though a woven scarf of blue and green was wrapped around his neck, he wore no hat, and his reddish-blond hair had become tousled by the wind.
Allegra’s heart came to a sharp and abrupt halt before leaping back into a frantic rhythm.
When he lifted his gaze to see her staring at him, familiar green eyes brightened with recognition and a wide smile flashed within a scruffy beard. “Hiya, lassie.”
His tone showed no surprise at discovering her presence there. In fact, he seemed rather pleased.
Allegra ignored the warmth his rugged baritone sparked in her core to give him a frown. “What on earth are you doing on the Earl of Darrow’s land?” she asked sharply.
She wouldn’t have thought it possible, but his grin widened even more as he continued to approach her. “My land,” he stated in a low-toned burr.
Allegra almost snorted at his gall and took a breath to refute his claim when he lowered his chin and raised his brow in a challenging expression. “D’ye really wish tae go down this road again?”
She resisted her blush to argue. “This cannot possibly be your land. I just came from the earl’s home and I happen to know his estate extends for a significant distance.”
“In all directions but one.” Taking a deep breath, he turned to gaze over the view below. The crisp air and natural background suited the rugged lines of his face and the vivid green of his eyes. He nodded toward the path she’d ascended. “Back along that way, ye’d have passed between a pair of standing stones that make a gateway between Darrow’s lands”—he brought his smiling gaze back to hers—“and my own.”
Allegra vaguely recalled walking between two large stones standing on end.
But she’d last seen him almost a half day’s ride away. “Are you telling me you live near here?” she asked.
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