The Highlander's Lady Knight (Midsummer Knights #2) - Madeline Martin Page 0,40
castle. Toward her bedchamber.
He allowed her to pull him toward the Rose Citadel, but as they neared, he drew back. “Have Matilda find a servant to fetch me. I’ll no’ have someone see ye leading me to yer rooms.”
She nodded and let her gaze slide down his body in a way that left a lingering burn humming over his skin before she disappeared into the castle. Several minutes later, after the bells of the curfew had rung out, Alan approached with a grin on his face and Pip trotting at his side.
“Matilda found me and bade me show you to her rooms.” Alan lifted his brows in a suggestive gesture.
“And ye know where they are?” Cormac folded his arms over his chest.
Pip stood before Cormac, wagging his tail so ferociously that it made his whole body rock from side to side. Cormac sighed and crouched down to pet the beast.
“I’ve gone all through the castle.” Alan shrugged. “’Tis part of my job to know who is who and where they are. I figured you’d especially like to know the location of Lady Isolde’s room should trouble arise. Especially with the likes of the Rosses.”
Cormac gave a final pat to Pip’s velvety head and straightened, nodding at Alan’s foresight. The man might have injected himself into Cormac’s life, but he was helpful to have about.
Alan bowed and gestured for Cormac to follow him. “Your lady awaits.”
His lady.
His pulse quickened to think of her in her private rooms, waiting for him. The woman he would marry.
The threat of Edmund edged into his thoughts, but he shoved that away. After all, Cormac had plans for the following morning. While Alan led him through the castle and up to Isolde, Cormac shared what he had in mind and ordered Alan to speak with Matilda and ensure all was handled accordingly.
“It will be done, sir.” Alan inclined his head and indicated the door in front of them as they came to a stop.
Cormac rapped softly on the heavy wood, and Matilda appeared. Pip craned his neck to look into the room, but Alan immediately sank to his knees and held his dog back. Matilda smiled at the dog and his master as she slipped from the chamber and allowed Cormac to enter.
He pushed the door closed behind him to enter the receiving room. Dark, heavy wood chairs with plush, red velvet padding sat near a fireplace, and a chest of drawers filled the small room. One door off to the side was cracked open with the golden glow of candlelight just beyond. His pulse hammered in his veins, and he walked silently over the thickly woven carpet to where he knew he would find Isolde.
He entered the room and drew up short at the sight before him. Isolde stood before the fire, her hair unbound and falling around her in auburn waves, wearing only a silken robe tied at the waist. It didn’t show any more flesh than the gowns she usually wore, mayhap even less. But her hardened nipples pebbled beneath the rich fabric.
“I feared you might not come,” Isolde said in a low voice, silky and intimate.
He swallowed and pushed the bolt on the door, locking it.
“Do you want some wine?” She approached a small table with a decanter and two pewter chalices. Without waiting for an answer, she lifted the wine, accidentally knocking one of the goblets over.
Despite her eagerness, she was obviously nervous. As any maiden would be. How he wished that he possessed Graham’s ease with women. What Cormac knew very well, however, was how he felt about her.
He joined her by the table and straightened the goblet. “I dinna need wine.” He took her slender hand in his. “Ye’re all the intoxication I need.”
“Me?” Isolde flushed. “Intoxicating?”
He gently stroked the knuckle of his forefinger down her cheek. “We dinna have to do this now, lass. We can wait—”
“For the morrow?” Her eyes filled with tears. “I saw Edmund the Braw at the joust.”
Cormac had seen Brodie’s champion before and knew how his presence alone could intimidate. “Then ye understand why I’m insisting on going in yer stead.”
Her eyes widened. “He’s undefeated. You could be—”
“I willna,” Cormac said.
“You could be killed,” Isolde said.
Cormac poured her a goblet of wine and handed it to her, but she did not drink it. “I will do anything to keep ye safe, Isolde.”
“And I you.” She set aside her wine and reached for him with both hands.