Black Richard's Heart (The MacCulloughs #1) - Suzan Tisdale Page 0,65
help me below stairs.”
He fell silent for a long moment, his thoughts turning back to last night. God’s teeth, but she was a strikingly beautiful woman. Images of her hair as it cascaded across the pillows, her skin glistening with perspiration as she called out his name, repeatedly, left his groin aching. He wanted naught more than to carry her back above stairs and join with her again.
Pushing those thoughts aside, for the wellbeing of both his mind and heart, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “How do ye fare this morn?”
“Be it still morn?” she asked, looking puzzled.
“Aye, it still be morn,” he said. “But there be not much left of it.”
“I thought I had slept away the day,” she admitted.
“Again, I ask how ye fare?” He was still concerned that he had somehow harmed her last night.
“I be verra well,” she replied, smiling up at him as if he were something wonderful.
’Twas an odd sensation that built in his gut. She could disarm him with naught more than a pleasant smile. With one simple touch, she could douse his anger, as she had proved on three separate occasions.
While his heart thoroughly and deeply enjoyed knowing these things, his mind begged him to proceed with a good deal of caution and heedfulness. She was still a MacRay and they were well known for their ability to smile and while shaking your hand in friendship, they would gut you with the other.
“I was supposed to meet Hattie after the mornin’ meal,” she said, breaking his reverie and silence.
“I met with her,” he said. “I explained that I was allowin’ ye to sleep in this morn. She will seek ye out after the noonin’ meal.”
He watched in amusement as her cheeks turned pink with a bush. She leaned in closer so that she might whisper. “Ye did not tell her why, did ye?”
“Of course nae,” he replied, quashing the smile her innocent worry brought to him. While she had proved to be a willing lover, had held nothing back last night, she was still as innocent as the day was long.
When he saw the relief in her eyes, ’twas all he could do not to laugh outright. Why on earth did he find her so amusing? So charming and beautiful? ’Twas as confusing as it was irksome.
She found the long stretches of silence uncomfortable. Without the gift of good vision, there was no way for her to know what he was thinking without seeing his face. What she would not give to be able to look into his eyes, just once.
“Richard, there be a few things I would like to discuss with ye,” she said, once again breaking the silence.
“Such as?” he asked.
“Well,” she began, leaning in once again. “It be about me night dress.”
She heard him clear his throat.
“Ye see, I woke up this morn, completely naked. I crawled around on me hands and knees searchin’ for it, or me robe.” She felt silly discussing the matter, especially here, in the gathering room where anyone might happen by. “I was wonderin’, if in the future, if ye leave before I wake, could ye please leave me night dress on the end of the bed where I might find it?”
“But of course,” he replied.
His tone was even, but she could not help but feel there was something left unsaid. Just why her face burned again, she didn’t know. Mayhap it had to do with the question she wanted to ask him next.
“Richard!” ’Twas Lachlan calling to him.
She didn’t know if she should feel relieved or upset the man had interrupted her private moment with her husband. Mayhap ’twas for the best. ’Twas a subject best left for a time when they were alone.
“Lachlan,” Richard addressed him coolly. “What do ye want?”
He was silent for only a brief moment. Aeschene grew uncomfortable for she felt as if he were staring at her.
“Yer wanted in the quarry,” he finally said.
“Why?”
“I do not ken,” Lachlan admitted before leaning in to whisper. “And Loreen be waitin’ in yer study as ye asked.”
Richard let loose a heavy breath before turning back to Aeschene. “I will be sendin’ Colyne and Raibeart to help ye, lass.”
“Do they not have more important things to do than to watch over me?”
Black Richard chuckled. “The purpose of havin’ them with ye is twofold, lass,” he said. “If they be busy watchin’ over ye, then they cannae be gettin’ into trouble.”