“He agreed to it at Aila’s suggestion so I could have the chance to spend time with ye,” Liam said so casually that she almost missed the enormity of his confession. Her heart exploded in her chest as she watched him shake out the blanket he had taken out of the carriage, then let it fall to the ground in a cloud of soft white. When he was done, he faced her, his gaze expectant.
She had to say something, yet she could not say what she truly wished to say—that his words had caused gooseflesh to race across her body and fill her with happiness.
“Tell me about your home,” she said instead, sincerely wanting to know but also hoping to avoid any more personal conversation.
Disappointment flashed across his face so quickly that she would have missed it had she not been staring at him. An easy smile replaced the disappointed look, and he turned from her, grabbed the basket that was filled with food and drink, and held his hand out to her to help her sit down.
She bit her lip, hoping to steel herself against her reaction to him before she took his hand, but it was no use. The moment his fingers curled around hers, she shivered. She did not look at him for fear his eyes would hold the knowledge of how he affected her. Yet when his fingers tightened perceptibly around hers, she had no doubt that he was aware of how he made her feel.
Once she was seated, he released her hand. He removed items from the basket as he spoke. “Dunvegan is my home. I already told ye it’s on the Isle of Skye, which is the most beautiful place ye will ever behold in yer life. A loch and craggy rocks surround the castle on one side, and on the other are tall, lush trees and rolling hills. Skye is filled with waterfalls and secret paths and streams, and when ye ride out, whichever way ye look, ye will see animals grazing on green grass and towering, proud peaks beckoning to be climbed.” A faraway look swept into his eyes as he spoke of his home. “The air is fresh and the sky a brilliant blue, and ye can just about count on a drizzle of rain every day, which is what makes the land so verra green and glorious, with flowers of purple, yellow, and white. And of course, there is heather that fills the air with the scent of Heaven.”
Cecelia could picture Dunvegan in her mind, the wide-open spaces and land untouched by progress the way London had been. “I’d love to see it someday,” she said, not realizing how her words would sound until they had left her mouth.
Liam smirked at her, as if he knew she had not meant to say anything that could have been misconstrued, yet he seemed to understand that her enthusiasm at his description had swept her away. He poured a cup of hot chocolate and handed it to her. “Perchance ye will,” he said. “Ye never know what the future holds.”
“No,” she relented, “one never does. But one’s future is often shaped by many outside forces that compel choices one might not normally make.”
“Possibly,” he agreed. “But I’m striving to make choices using both my heart and my head.”
She could not help but smile. Liam exuded such raw masculine power, and to hear him speak of his heart made her own heart tug.
“And how has that gone for you in the past? Using both your heart and your head to make decisions?” she asked.
“I’ll have to let ye know,” he said, grinning slyly. “I’ve only recently attempted the combination.” His voice had dropped to a low, undeniably seductive tone, and his gaze moved slowly from her eyes to her lips.
Her heart pounded so loudly, she was sure he must have heard it. When his focus remained on her mouth, desire ignited. He did not move an inch, yet she felt the caress of his lips on hers as surely as if they had touched. Her breath hitched in her throat. “What are you thinking?” she asked, hoping conversation would cool the longing he created.
His gaze came to her eyes again and impaled her. “I’m thinking,” he said, his voice thick, “that if we were alone, I would kiss ye. What do ye think about that?”
She swallowed hard. “I think it’s a very good thing we are not alone.”
Whatever emotion her answer caused, his cool green eyes did not display. Instead, they narrowed a bit, and determination flared in his gaze. “And why is that, Cecelia? Do ye not wish for me to kiss ye?”
She should say no. She knew she should. The conversation was improper.Hehad no funds;sheneeded to secure her mother’s future to make amends for having a hand in destroying it. This thing, this undeniable attraction, could lead nowhere. Yet, she could not make herself lie.
“I do wish you to kiss me,” she whispered. “Truly, I do. But I should not wish it.”
“Why should ye not?” he demanded, his emotions now easy enough to recognize as anger tightened his jaw.
Heaven above! She had not wanted to havethisparticular conversation, yet not desiring it would not stop it. Humiliation burned her cheeks. “Liam, I’m not at liberty to do as I wish when it comes to matters of the heart.” She felt like a fool blathering on about her heart when they’d only known each other such a short time, yet she had to make it clear that they could be no more than friends.
He said nothing, simply stared at her with unblinking eyes. When she realized he was waiting for her to say more, she cleared her throat. “My father did not leave my mother and myself in the best financial situation.” Liam’s eyes narrowed a fraction, but she did not blame him for the displeasure they showed. Her words sounded horrid, even to her own ears. “I am somewhat to blame, I daresay, for all that has occurred,” she rushed out, wishing the conversation to be over. “And I… Well, you see, my mother needs me to make a good match…if it’s possible.” Her face burned so hot that she fanned it with her open palm.
He watched her for a moment, his expression guarded yet slightly disappointed, but then suddenly, his face softened. “Tell me, Cecelia. In yer mind, what qualities must a man possess to be a good match worthy of being allowed to court ye?”
“He must be loyal, honorable, witty, and brave,” she said without hesitation.
He reached across the distance that separated them and took her hand in his. Even with her gloves on, the heat that radiated from his palm sent delicious shivers through her once more. “I know ye don’t know me, but if ye will give me a chance, I hope ye will find that I am all of those things.”
The only thing to say was,No,he could not have a chance.Theycould not have a chance. But her pulse raced and thoughts spun in her head. “What qualities must a woman you wish to court possess?” she asked in lieu of responding to his confession.
He smiled, looking much like a well-fed cat. “She must be loyal, honorable, witty, and brave.”
Her lips parted in shock. “You’re teasing me!”
“Never,” he said with such vehemence that she believed him. “Never would I tease ye about such a thing. If ye are willing to put yer trust in me, then I will put my trust in ye, and maybe together, we will discover something amazing. Are ye willing?”
She stared into his eyes, so persuasive and tempting, and the wish to say yes danced on her tongue.
