even as he did nothing of the sort. His mouth trailed down to the hollow at the base of her throat.
He abruptly stepped back from her. “It’s best if we pause our, uh, this.”
“Pause? Does that mean we can continue later?” Her body screamed for something.
“Perhaps. We should probably go question Carrie.”
“I imagine she’s preparing for dinner. I think it must wait until later.”
“Elspeth, are you trying to coax me to continue…this?”
“Would that be bad?”
He chuckled and took her hand once more. Pressing a kiss to her fingertips, he looked into her eyes with unabashed desire. “Not to me, but we are not wed, and I would not have you thinking I would take advantage.”
“We could handfast.” She flinched. “I’m no better than Angus.”
“I can guess who Angus is, and don’t you dare compare yourself to him. Unless you’ve asked other men to handfast today?”
She smiled at his dry tone. “Not today.” She sobered and squeezed his hand. “Not ever.”
“You tempt me, Elspeth. In every way.” He swept his lips over hers once more. The kiss was brief, but her body reacted, curling toward him like a plant seeking the sun.
He stepped back once more. “You should go prepare for dinner.” His tone was gruff, while his eyes were hot with desire.
“All right.” She didn’t hide the reluctance or disappointment from her voice. “I’ll see you downstairs. After, we’ll speak with Carrie.”
He nodded. “And after that… Well, we’ll see what happens.”
Elspeth slitted her eyes at him, then dashed forward to brush a kiss against his cheek before turning and taking her leave. It was as if she walked on air.
She never wanted to come down.
Chapter Six
Tavish was the first to arrive in the common room for dinner. He could attribute it to hoping to catch Carrie so he could question her, but the truth was that he was eager to see Elspeth.
He’d nearly asked her to be his wife. The only thing that had stopped him was the short length of their acquaintance—that they’d met over two years ago didn’t count. How was it, then, that he felt as if he’d known her at least that long?
Because she’d inhabited his mind. From the moment he’d been drawn into her story in Dunkeld, he’d been enchanted. That she’d abandoned her need to tell a story to join him in his quest to find Lann Dhearg made her that much more enticing.
There was also her laugh, her sharp intelligence, and the undeniable way she felt in his arms—right. He was already halfway in love with her, at least, so why not propose marriage? After all, she was the one who’d suggested handfasting, and what was that beyond a step to marriage?
It allowed for a temporary union, one in which they didn’t have to stop what they’d been doing earlier. Was that all she wanted?
Carrie emerged from the kitchen just as the front door opened. A swell of cold air filled the common room just before a man fell forward. The dogs rushed over from the hearth, barking and sniffing at him.
Tavish hurried to the man as Carrie ran to close the door. Kneeling beside the prone form, Tavish tilted the man’s head and sucked in air through his teeth. Though he was battered and bleeding, there was no mistaking his identity: Dougal Kerr.
Carrie gasped. “Dougal!”
“Where can I take him?” Tavish asked.
“Bring him to my room so ye dinna have ta carry him upstairs.”
Tavish hefted the man into his arms and followed Carrie to a narrow corridor behind the stairs. She went through a doorway to the left, and they stepped into a snug chamber. Tavish deposited Kerr on the bed in the corner.
“I’ll fetch some medicine and cloth.” Carrie gestured to a washbasin against the far wall. “There’s water.”
Kerr groaned as his eyes fluttered open. He tried to focus on Tavish, but his features were creased with fear.
“It’s John MacLean,” Tavish said soothingly. “You made it to Balthazar’s. What happened?”
“There were men.” He closed his eyes once more and lifted his hand to his head. Wincing, he let out a sharp gasp. “Hurts so much.”
“Carrie will be back with something to help you.” Tavish went to the washbasin and found a small cloth there. After wetting it, he returned to the bed and gently dabbed at the worst of Kerr’s wounds—a bleeding gash on the side of his head.
“I thought they were good men,” Kerr rasped, his eyes still closed. “They said they would help Neil too. I asked if they ken