The Highlander's Forbidden Mistress - Anna Campbell Page 0,24
back to the coachman. "Thank you, Erskine. I’ll wager you’re looking forward to a warm fire and a good meal, too."
"Aye, my lord. It’s going to be a braw cold night." The coachman sounded as Scottish as Jock and Mary. "The horses made good time."
"Aye, they’ve earned their oats. Well done, laddie."
"Come away in, my lord," Mary said with a wide smile. Jock was busy lifting the bags from the back of the coach. "I’ve got fires going in the bedroom and the drawing room, and a good hot dinner on the way for ye. With all that traveling, ye both must be tired and half-starved. We got your letter, and all is as ye asked."
"Excellent. I knew I could rely on you, Mary."
Her cheeks on fire, Selina barely dared to glance up as they entered the modest hall. Behind them, she heard the coach trundle away. She assumed there were stables and other outbuildings behind the house.
"I can walk," she muttered into Brock’s coat, as it became clear he intended to carry her all the way upstairs.
His hold firming, he started to mount the steps. "I like to carry you."
She liked it, too, although the act held a disturbingly bridal air. It was as if the earl brought a new and cherished wife to the house, instead of a woman he used for his pleasure over the space of a week.
"I’ll bring up the hot water, my lord," Mary said from below. Jock carried the bags inside and placed them on the black and white tiled floor, before he closed the door behind him.
"Thank you," Brock said without stopping.
Having made her token bid for independence, Selina subsided into his arms. She wasn’t going to object to any chance to be close to him.
Brock swept her into a large room decorated in a masculine style, all dark wood paneling and massive oak furniture. Large windows looked out over a darkening world, although light gleamed on a distant line of silver that Selina realized must be the sea. With a gentleness that touched her heart, he set her on her feet in front of the blazing fire. The warmth was welcome after the cold outside.
"You didn’t expect to see the staff," he said, stepping back.
"No, although I should have realized you had people to look after the house. Was it wise to use my real name?"
"They’re my kinfolk. They offer their chieftain a loyalty beyond that of mere servants. They’ll go to the grave without a whisper of your visit."
Selina sighed. She’d felt so happy and daring and free in the carriage. Now she felt like a temporary mistress. Shabby and disposable. The intrusion of other people into her sensual idyll made her too aware of how the world would view her actions, if word ever got out. "I suppose they’re used to you turning up with various women."
He sent her an unreadable look. "I’ve never brought another woman here. Jock and Mary will treat you with every respect. They know that I use this house as a refuge. If I’ve invited a lover to share it, she must be a lady of more than usual significance."
She shouldn’t feel special when he said that. "More than usual significance" didn’t count as a declaration of eternal fealty. Even if she was looking for declarations of eternal fealty.
"I’m being silly," she said. "I’m not used to being a fallen woman."
"Stop saying that." His hand cut through the air and indicated his displeasure. "You give yourself to me for desire’s sake. I give myself to you for the same reason. The world’s shallow judgments have no power over what we do while we’re here."
The world’s shallow judgments would destroy her, should her surrender become public. She kept that unpalatable thought to herself. She’d committed to this path. It was too late for second thoughts, even if she wanted to have them. She had a mere week to enjoy Brock’s touch. Once she left this house, she’d have a lifetime to wallow in guilt and regret.
"Kiss me, Brock." She held out her hand, dismayed to see how it shook. "When you take me in your arms, it’s easy to feel brave."
Approval glowed in his smile. "That’s the spirit."
He drew her into the shelter of his body for a long kiss, redolent with sweetness rather than passion. Selina melted into helpless response. She loved it when he kissed her as if he’d die for lack of having her. But the strange truth was that when he