“Very well.” She took a deep breath. “My mother hired someone to kill Alasdair, and when that didn’t work, she took it upon herself to try to kill Eden. And when that didn’t work, she then attempted to shoot Alasdair herself.”
Logan gazed blankly at her. “I hope you’re joking.”
“Believe me, I wish I was.”
Obviously astounded, he stared at her for several long seconds before finally replying. “I must admit, even by Kendrick standards that’s quite something.”
Donella’s heart shriveled a bit. “Yes, it’s terribly off-putting. I do understand that.”
Logan’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully; then he tipped up her chin and kissed her again.
This time, he lingered over her mouth and gently explored the seam of her lips with his tongue before finishing up with a gentle nuzzle. The kiss sent a flush of heat prickling beneath her stays, and all she could do was clutch at him, trying not to shake.
“Sir, you really must stop doing that,” she quavered after he drew back.
It was a pathetic scold. As for boxing his ears, she supposed it was no surprise that she’d lost any desire to do so.
Obviously, the sisters had been dead accurate in their assessment that Donella did not belong in a convent.
“Daft girl,” he said gruffly. “As if anything your mother did would scare me away.”
She swallowed. “This is a very improperly conducted conversation, in more ways than one.”
“You can give me an excellent scold later on that point. But for now I would be grateful if you could explain why your mother would behave in so deranged a manner.”
“Because she’s deranged?”
He winced. “Sorry. That was a wee bit clumsy of me.”
“It’s not your fault. The whole thing is so far-fetched it’s impossible to discuss in a rational manner. And to tell you the truth, I hate talking about it.”
He reached out and grabbed her glass again, handing it over. “Just tell me what you feel able to.”
Donella took another fortifying sip. “My mother was always high-strung and volatile. She grew worse after my father died, but we always made excuses for her.” She tried for a smile. “It’s rather difficult to imagine that one’s nearest relation could become so dangerously unhinged. We should certainly have paid better attention. My brother, especially, still feels terrible guilt over the whole thing.”
“Fergus does wear his heart on his sleeve. But thank God that your mother didn’t hurt anyone.”
Donella waggled a hand. “She did hurt someone.”
Logan frowned. “Who?”
“Me.”
“What?”
She winced. “You needn’t yell, sir. I’m right here.”
He plucked her glass away and put it on the table, again taking both her hands. “Please tell me yer all right, lass.”
The brogue had come out again, indicating he was truly upset. He’d gone pale under his tan, which certainly suggested that he really did worry about her.
“I’m fine. Truly, it was just a minor wound.”
“Tell me exactly what happened,” he tersely said.
“It happened in a small, back garden of Blairgal Castle. There’s an old wall that marks the edge of the garden, blocking a very steep drop into a ravine. Mamma had forced Eden up onto that wall, and was going to make her jump. Then she’d tell everyone she’d committed suicide.”
“God, that’s awful. I’m so sorry. It was about you and Alec breaking it off, I take it.”
“For Mamma, that was the final straw. She’d always resented Alasdair and believed Fergus should be heir to the earldom, especially since he’d taken on the duties of estate steward after Alasdair ran away and joined the army.”
“Fergus was next in the line of succession?”
Donella nodded.
“I suppose I can see a certain logic to that,” Logan said, “but then why kill Edie?”
“Mamma was convinced that, in his grief, Alasdair would turn to me for comfort and eventually ask to marry me. I would then become Countess of Riddick after my uncle died.”
“But what about Fergus and his claim to the earldom?”
“Mamma intended to do away with Alasdair at some point. That way I would be a wealthy dowager countess, and Fergus would still inherit.”
She could see Logan trying to puzzle the mad scheme out.
After a few moments, he shrugged. “Sorry, sweetheart, but it makes no bloody sense. It’s the most convoluted plot I’ve ever heard.”
“I told her that. I made it quite clear that even if she did kill Eden, I would never marry Alasdair.”
“And that’s when she decided to shoot the poor fellow?”
“Yes.”
“Then how did you get injured instead?”
Donella felt the need to fuss with the sash tied under her bodice. “I suppose I tried to jump in front of Alasdair when Mamma fired the pistol.”
The answering silence was so fraught that she couldn’t work up the courage to look at him. Instead, she counted the seconds as the mantel clock ticked them off.
“You what?” Logan finally asked.
She peeked up, mentally wincing as she took in the thundercloud that all but roiled over his head.
“I didn’t get to Alasdair in time. It was just bad luck that Mamma shot me instead.”
His gaze all but scorched her. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he gave her a little shake. “You are never, never to put yourself in harm’s way like that again. Do you hear me?”
Logan’s fury, instead of scaring her, chased away the sadness and shame that always came with remembering that horrible event and her mother’s sad fate.
“It wasn’t something I planned,” she said apologetically. “It was all rather confusing, in the moment.”
He muttered something under his breath before snatching her into his arms, all but squeezing the breath from her lungs.
“Daft girl,” he growled. “And I should kill Alec Gilbride for putting you in so dangerous a position.”
“It truly wasn’t his fault,” she said in a muffled voice.
“It certainly wasn’t your fault. I hope you don’t think that.”
As comforting as it was to be held so securely, it was rather difficult to breathe. She wriggled her hands up between them and tried to push against his rock-hard chest.
“Sir, you’re squishing me.”
Reluctantly, he eased her back, keeping his hands loosely on her shoulders. In fact, he was now caressing her there, gently sliding his calloused fingertips over her bare skin. The thrilling sensation it evoked made it difficult to focus on anything else.
“I meant it about putting yourself in danger,” he sternly said. “You’re not to do it again.”
“It is not an experience I wish to repeat.”
“Where were you hit?”
“It was just a graze on my right arm.” She smiled up into his worried gaze. “You can barely see the scar. Alasdair assures me that it’s exceedingly paltry compared to all of his.”
“He should have done a better job of protecting you.”
She tapped his waistcoat. “Alasdair did nothing wrong. If anything, the fault lay with the rest of us for not seeing how disturbed my mother had become.”
“Emotions often get twisted about and muddled when it comes to those we love,” he said in a somber tone.
Now she placed a gentle hand flat on his chest, knowing he was thinking of his own troubled past. “Yes, they do.”
“What happened after she shot you?”
“Mamma became even more hysterical when she saw me fall. Fortunately, I hit my head on the paving stones and knocked myself out, so I missed the rest.”
He winced. “That’s one way of looking at it, I suppose.”
“Then Lady Reese hit Mamma in the jaw and knocked her out. That effectively put an end to the immediate crisis.”
He choked. “Truly?”
“Her ladyship is a very masterful wo
man, you must admit.”
He grinned. “Bully for her. I’ll have to give the old battle-ax a kiss next time I see her.”
“Then she’ll probably punch you in the jaw, too.”
“I’d let her.” His smile faded. “But I am so sorry you had to go through that, sweetheart. And I’d like to throttle those two silly chits for rehashing those rumors tonight.”
“In a way, that’s the worst part. We worked so hard to manage the scandal and protect my mother’s privacy. My poor uncle will be devastated that we failed.”
“Then there’s the impact on you.” His hands slipped down to cup her elbows. “We need to figure out why the rumors kicked up again.”
She shrugged. “As I said, it’s likely because I’m now out in the world. Before, I was out of sight, out of mind.”
“There’s got to be more to it. I can understand a bit of gossip about why you left the convent, but this is of a different magnitude. And it must be of fairly recent vintage, because otherwise Nick would have heard about it. Very little in this town escapes his notice.”
She had a sneaking suspicion about that. Despite the fact that Donella’s mother was kept under close watch, her physician encouraged carefully managed walks in his garden and occasionally even carriage rides for a change of scenery. Under the circumstances, it was conceivable that Mamma had been spotted once or twice, or that bits and pieces of information had somehow reached the ears of those who lived in neighboring parts of Edinburgh.
Jeannie MacArthur had recently arrived from that city. She could certainly have heard or seen something, although Donella would never voice such a suspicion without proof.
“I suppose it doesn’t really matter how they started,” she said. “All I can do is try to ignore them.”
Logan’s eyelid twitched, but he refrained from stating the obvious.
“Which I obviously failed to do tonight,” she wryly added. “No wonder people think I’m touched in the head.”
“Anyone else in the family dicked in the nob?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Then leave off with that nonsense. You’re the sanest person I know.”
Her throat went tight, because it was the perfect thing for him to have said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He let go of her arms and reached for his glass, taking a drink. Then, frowning, he stared out the window, as if searching for something in the darkness beyond the polished glass.
Donella shifted a bit and smoothed her skirts over her knees. Now that he was no longer looking at her, she had to resist the temptation to tug up on her bodice. As she always did when talking about her mother, she felt uncomfortable and exposed.
Despite his sympathetic attention and kisses—three kisses, in fact—he seemed to be subtly drawing away from her. She couldn’t blame him. Her life was a mess, and she was now the object of some truly mean-spirited gossip that would reflect poorly on any man who courted her.
Was he regretting his intention to woo her? Between the debacle with Roddy and this disaster, she could soon become a magnet for all sorts of slander.
Her heart suddenly skipped a few beats.
Joseph.
How would this affect him? If she and Logan continued to be seen together, it could make him a target. That was too horrible to contemplate. The poor boy had already suffered enough.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, too nervous to keep quiet.
He glanced at her, blinking, almost as if he’d forgotten her. “I’m simply trying to figure out what to do about this situation. It won’t be good if the gossip continues to spread. I’d best speak to Alec first, and then go from there.”
He was no longer looking affectionate, or even remotely like he wanted to kiss her. He seemed distracted and perhaps even annoyed.
It almost killed her to say it, but it was the right thing to do. “I understand your concern. And I also think it’s best that I return to Blairgal immediately. I’ll explain the situation to Joseph first, though, so he understands. The gossip will then die down, and there will be no repercussions for you, or for Eden and Alasdair.”
He scowled. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Joseph shouldn’t be subjected to any more nasty gossip.” She managed a wobbly smile. “Nor should you. You’ve been incredibly kind, Mr. Kendrick, but I do not hold you to any obligations you feel you may have—”
He moved so quickly, she barely had time to gasp. A moment later, she was sprawled inelegantly on his lap, staring up into his glittering gaze.
“What are you doing, sir?” Her voice came out more like a squeak than a demand.
“You are daft if you think I give a damn about any of that,” he said. “And Joseph loves you, silly girl. He’d kill me if I let you leave.”
She tried to steady herself by bracing her hands on his massive shoulders. “That’s . . . that’s very kind of you. And I know you believe you made a commitment to me, but you didn’t. And . . . and it’s silly to think you or any man should wish to marry me. Or want to. I’m not the marrying kind, you see. I’m . . .”
She trailed off when his gaze narrowed to ice-blue slits.
“Are you quite finished?” he asked with heavy sarcasm.
She felt the first stirrings of irritation. “I’m not sure.”
“I am.”
“I don’t see how.”
“Because of this.”
He swooped down and captured her mouth in a soul-searing kiss that blasted every thought and every reservation straight to oblivion.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Donella tasted like honey and sunshine. Her kiss was like everything Logan had been missing for so long—goodness, laughter, and sweet joy. And despite her obvious trepidation, her innocent fervor set him afire. With Donella in his arms, Logan could believe it was safe to open his heart and love again.
He knew, as well as he knew himself, that once Donella gave her heart, she would give it forever. He wanted that more than he could say.
When he gently teased the seam of her mouth, she froze for a moment and Logan’s heart skipped a beat. But then she opened for him with an endearing little whimper, as if part of her wanted to resist but a larger part couldn’t deny the fire between them.
Still, he had to be sure. She was unused to the ways of men—especially men like him.
He briefly tasted her silky warmth. Her mouth was a luscious invitation to explore other intimate places, where he could drink her in until she shook with passion and cried out in his arms.
The image of her naked before him ravaged him like a storm. It urged him to spread her out on the chaise and strip the clothes from her beautiful body.
With a mighty effort, Logan throttled back. He nuzzled her mouth and gave her lower lip a soft tug. She moaned, which almost demolished his willpower before he retreated.
Donella sucked in a wavering breath, her parted lips moist and raspberry-red from his attentions. Large, black pupils stood in stark contrast to the vibrant green that surrounded them. Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked altogether ready to be stripped naked and kissed from the top of her pretty head right down to her wee, soft toes.
“Why are you stopping?” she whispered.
He adjusted his hold, resisting the temptation to push down the sleeve that was already slipping off her shoulder. “Because I want you to be sure about this.”
Her fine, auburn brows pulled together in an eloquent line. “Since I am neither boxing your ears nor shrieking at the top of my lungs, I would seem to be quite sure. And that is an appalling lack of decorum on my part, I must say.”
Logan hid a smile against her forehead.
“Are you laughing at me?” she suspiciously asked.
“Never, love. I’m simply enjoying you. Enjoying this.”
Donella shyly smiled in return. “I’m rather enjoying it, too.”
God, she was lovely, a slender lass with a sweet arse and soft breasts
that plumped up over her tight bodice. Her dress had twisted around her body, outlining her long legs and exposing her pretty ankles. Logan could already imagine those legs propped up over his shoulders as he knelt between them, using his mouth and tongue to explore her.
He had to clamp down on the need to flip her over onto the chaise and begin that exploration without further ado. Donella was a virgin, and she was to be his wife. She deserved her first time to be as gentle and as pleasurable as he could make it.
“I’m very glad to hear it,” he said, gently rubbing his thumb along her exposed collarbone.
He was a bare inch away from that sagging sleeve, which tempted him beyond all reason. He had always been attracted to Donella but was discovering that his attraction had stealthily transformed into something very close to obsession.
Or love.
Not yet, he cautioned himself. Not until he was sure of her.
“Do you think we can get back to the kissing?” she asked in a hopeful voice.
“Of course. As I said, I just need to make sure you’re comfortable with this.”
She wriggled a bit, trying to pull herself up to a sitting position. Logan had to bite back a moan as her round little bottom pressed down on his cock.
“As I already said—” Her eyes popped wide as she finally noticed his erection. “Well, I’m certainly not ready for that.”
He let out a strangled laugh. “Of course not. But I want to know if you are ready for this. For us to be together, starting down this road. And what that will ultimately mean.”
She thought about it, and then gave him another tentative smile. “I think so. I’d like to try it, anyway. But nothing more than kissing, for now.”
He gently tapped her adorable nose. “Yes, for now. In any case, if we disappear for too long, people will notice.”
She winced. “You’re right. I cannot imagine what you must think of me for not even realizing that. I’m just awful.”
He rested his hand against the back of her neck, playing with her soft curls. “Awful in the best possible way. And that blasted party is so crowded, that I’m sure we can take a few more minutes before anyone notices we’re gone.”
Eventually, though, someone would come looking for them. If he had any brains, he’d get her back to the party before that happened.
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