being irrational.
Gwen snorted. “Highly doubtful, but it may occur. A stolen kiss is harmless enough, I suppose, but I couldn’t see him doing that without a lot of prior thought. He wouldn’t want to give the women the wrong impression.”
“He seems taken with Aline, though. What makes you think he’s not?”
“As much as a match between them would be advantageous to both clans, she’s far too young for him and would drive him mad within a month. Aedan’s always liked more mature women. I think he realizes that should he marry the lass she’d drive him to the point of madness within a year.”
Abby agreed. The young woman did seem a little immature and not overly friendly toward her own sex. She’d be a jealous wife, but then Abby was a jealous nothing-at-all. “What about Mae? I know her brother is looking for a suitable husband for her.”
“Aye, but I don’t think the word suitable should be associated with the man he has planned for her. Rory, the laird of Clan Kirk, is an awful man. Cold, distant, and cruel, as his ancestors were. Clan Kirk are not known for their kindness, but iron fists. To be married to such a man would be hell on earth.”
Abby caught Mae’s gaze and waved to the woman. She looked happy among these people, a young woman who wanted what everyone did. Love, a happy, fulfilling life. That she could possibly be placed in danger because her brother was determined to be rid of her, filled Abby with dread and she frowned. She would tell Aedan of the man Mae loved and see if he could say something to her brother.
“I know what ye thinking, Abigail, and don’t go gettin’ involved. Clan Scot don’t like bein’ told what to do, and with any luck, the laird of Kirk will find another to tempt him and leave Mae alone.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“They’ll not be much we can do.”
Abby stood and walked from the platform, as another two teams picked up the tug-of-war rope out in front of the gathered spectators. She walked toward the tents, wanting to go back to the castle, needing a little time to plan. She would speak to Aedan and see what he could do. She certainly couldn’t stand around while an innocent young woman was led to her potential slaughter.
An arm shot out in front of her and pulled her into a tent. She blinked quickly to adjust her eyes to the dark, but the reaction of her body told her who had pulled her inside. “What are you doing?”
“Ye look fetching today, lass.”
The deep baritone pulled at something profound in her chest and she relaxed. Today she’d dressed in a dark purple gown with white trim, wanting to look as nice as she could. She’d told herself it was pride that led her to have a servant help her with her hair. That the Highland Games were something she’d never see again, certainly not like these, even if twenty-first century people tried to re-enact them. She didn’t want to admit the thought that Aedan may see her, like what he saw, and wish to steal another kiss.
“Thank you. Congratulations on your win.”
Grinning, he nodded and her stomach flipped. “Maybe the fair lass will grant the winner a boon?”
“A boon?” she frowned, pretending she didn’t know what he meant.
“A prize,” he said, his hand sliding across her hip to sit against her back.
Abby bit her lip. Her body was on fire. His hand stroked across her spine, playing her like a musical instrument. Her clothing suddenly felt tight, constricting, and she needed air.
“What did you have in mind?” She hated how he made her voice sound breathless, full of need and desire. That it was exactly how she felt didn’t matter. He wasn’t for her. Not only was he a laird living in seventeenth century Scotland, he was too old for her, if she were to count the years between his birth and hers.
“I’d hoped,” he said, leaning closer, his lips but a hair’s breadth away, “that you would allow me to kiss ye again.”
With a will of their own, her hands slid up his naked chest, his skin warm and soothing against her palms. She clasped the nape of his neck, leaned up on tippy-toe, and kissed him. “Like that?”
He smiled, keeping her hard against his body. Her own body flew into overdrive. Never before had she felt the kaleidoscope of feelings as she did with Aedan. Somehow,