A Laird and a Gentleman (All the King's Men #4) - Gerri Russell Page 0,31

morning mist, his mouth molded over hers, moved with breath-stealing sweetness. He reached up and bracketed her head with his hands as he deepened the kiss.

Unsteadily, she laid her hand against his chest and felt his heart beating thickly against her palm. His mouth opened over hers and he stole between her lips. She could feel his warmth and tasted a hint of honey mixed with apple. He gently coaxed her lips farther apart, and as he did, her legs trembled. All her thoughts fled as everything inside her focused on the intoxication of his kiss.

A sound rose from her throat as she leaned into him, wanting more. Her arms stole around his shoulders, pulling her body tight against his chest.

A sudden knock registered in her brain moments before the door opened.

Cameron released her and sat back, leaving Mariam dazed and disoriented as she registered another presence in the chamber.

“I came as quickly as I could—” Mistress MacInnes froze at the sight of them on the bed, so close together. “Forgive me. I thought you were alone, Mistress.”

Cameron moved off the bed, his dark eyes shuttered. “I was doing my part to keep Mariam warm until you arrived, my good woman.” He bent and offered the chatelaine a bow. “I will leave you now so that you may help Mariam into drier clothing.” He turned back to Mariam and said, “Meet me belowstairs when you are changed.”

“But—”

“You have nothing to fear,” he said to Mariam as he turned back to the door.

Mariam brought her fingers up to press against her tingling lips as she stared after him. Cameron was so certain he could protect her, but she wasn’t convinced. Since the villagers had entered the castle, she could feel a dark energy that had entered as well—one that fed off cruelty and violence. It was the same energy her father gave off whenever she was around him. She shuddered, attempting to shake off the notion of her father’s presence.

Mistress MacInnes closed the door behind Cameron. “Shall we get you out of those wet clothes?” She turned toward the bed. Her eyes flared wide. For a moment she hesitated before she continued forward. “What is it, Mariam? What has you so upset?”

“I’m not upset.” Mariam struggled to regain her composure even as an uneasy feeling prickled the back of her neck. “This day has had far too many ups and downs for my liking. If it were up to me, I would want nothing more than a bath and an early night in bed.”

Nessie came to sit beside her on the bed. “There is nothing to fear and no reason to hide. I’ve seen the villagers for myself. They left their weapons in the outer courtyard and are currently dining in the great hall. They do not seem vengeful or even contentious anymore. I think m’laird’s hospitality surprised them, deflating their anger.”

“Then why can I still feel malevolence coming from below?”

Nessie’s eyes narrowed and a frown creased her brow. “I cannot be certain, but m’laird has yet to hear their grievances. Perhaps when he does, that feeling will change.”

“Perhaps,” Mariam replied, knowing she could no longer delay doing what Cameron had demanded of her. She stood beside the bed and allowed Nessie to remove her wet jacket. As the older woman loosened the laces at the back of her riding habit, Mariam could still feel the lingering effects of Cameron’s kiss upon her lips. How was it possible to experience both despair and joy at the same moment?

With a sigh, she resigned herself to do what must be done. She would go belowstairs and confront whatever awaited.

Chapter Seven

A quarter of an hour later, Mariam descended the stairs and entered the great hall. Upon seeing her, Cameron waved her forward and invited her to sit on the dais in a chair next to him. His steward stood beside him with parchment, an inkpot, and a quill in hand.

Mariam took a seat at Cameron’s side. Without taking his gaze from those before him, he settled his hand over hers. So little a thing, so harmless and yet the feel of his skin against hers made her heart flutter in her chest.

Trying to distract herself, she looked to the crowd before her, and yet it was one particular pair of eyes that caught her attention. Thea stood off to the side from the line that had formed in front of Cameron. Resentment darkened Thea’s complexion as she stared back at Mariam for a long