out for drinks with the girls, was awful. Women in this time had no rights, in many cases were seen and not heard, and basically used as bartering tools between men, a fact of which she’d been made well aware. Not to mention, throwing all her years at college down the drain and never using the degree she had worked so hard for. No, it wasn’t an option.
Aedan bent over and her attention snapped once more to him. On the other hand, what harm was there in admiring the man’s form while she was here? He’d never know that she was taking in his strong legs and muscular arms that she imagined would flex nicely when leaning over someone in bed. She’d be a liar if she hadn’t thought about him in that way. Of what he’d look like thrusting into her, his intense eyes meeting her own at the crux of orgasm. Of what he’d sound like finding pleasure within her.
He laughed at something Black Ben said. There was certainly no doubt he had a definite charm, well, maybe not so much charm, but his body certainly had appeal.
Abby bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at her own thoughts. She was in a bizarre position, so it was only fair that she enjoy herself.
Aedan sat next to his oldest and closest friend Ben and broke a piece of bread apart. His time travelling houseguest sat next to Gwen and Mae from Clan Scott, her laughter continually pulling his attention toward her.
“Stop looking at the lass. The other women will become jealous.”
Aedan scoffed at Ben’s words, but did as his friend advised. After Ben’s arrival, he’d told him everything that had happened over the last few weeks. Ben was privy to Gwen’s abilities, but his hilarity over the current situation wasn’t helpful. “I was merely keeping watch to ensure she didn’t cause trouble or offend any of my clansman.”
“Leave her be. It’s yer sister’s fault she’s here in the first place. You ought to be nice to her. She could be of help, knowing what’s already transpired in history and all.”
Aedan frowned, having not thought of that possibility. His gaze, with a life of its own, sought her out again, and he wondered what she did know of the past. Of what was going to happen to his beloved Scotland over the next few hundred years. He wondered if she’d ever heard of Clan MacLeod and what had happened to his people and home.
“Now look what you’ve done, the lass from Clan Grant has spotted yer marked attention to Mistress Abigail. I don’t know why you’re always needing to cause trouble.”
Aedan laughed. “If any one of us causes trouble, ’tis you, not me.” He took a sip of wine, spooning more stew into his bowl. “Ach, there’s something about the lass that—” He paused, wondering if he should tell his friend how much the woman haunted his dreams. Worse was the fact he’d wake up, sweating and aching for her touch. Something told him with her life experiences, she’d be no lady when it came to sleeping with a man.
Perfect for tupping.
He shifted on his seat, his body hardening at the image the thought conjured in his mind. Damn it. He needed to find a wife, a suitable woman who’d do her duty, run the castle, and produce his children with little fuss. He needed to stop thinking about Abigail. He needed to stop wondering what the repercussions would be should he throw all his ideals—the determination to marry well, to a woman who could bring him more power—over the battlement’s walls. Blast it.
“She seems nice enough to me. Why not look to her for yer wife, since you’re so adamant you require one.”
Aedan ignored his friend’s mocking tone. “Aye, and ye need one as well, might I remind ye. Perhaps ye ought to look for a wife while yer here. It’s about time someone pulled ye into line to produce some lads of yer own.”
“Aye. Mayhap I’ll seduce yer lovely Abigail, if yer not going to. Ye wouldn’t mind, would ye? She’s not planning to stay, ’twould fill in me time well having her warm my bed at night.”
Every muscle in Aedan’s body hardened to stone. Just the thought of Ben and Abigail together caused a red haze to pass over his vision. He met his friend’s contemplative gaze and felt panic rise in his chest. Did he truly mean to seduce her? “Don’t touch the lass,