heavy for everyone until someone from our bloodline deems them worthy. More simply, I can give it to someone to use, but it’s a very specific act and, once done, can’t be reversed.”
She began to rise, and he quickly offered his hand to aid her. Putting her fingers in his, she said, “So you’d better be sure that person won’t use it for ill purposes.”
He tipped Lann Dhearg down but didn’t let go of her hand. “Exactly. As far as I know, no one in my family has given—or loaned—it to someone else in hundreds of years. But then, it’s been hidden at Dumbarton. Until I was idiot enough to take it with me to Culloden.”
“You weren’t an idiot.” Her voice was gentle, understanding. He almost believed her.
“I thought it would be safe because no one can wield it without my granting them the ability. I didn’t imagine someone would steal it, even if it was difficult to do so.”
“It had to have been incredibly difficult. I had a hard enough time getting it upstairs. And I had help.”
Tavish let go of her hand and went to set Lann Dhearg in the corner. When he returned to his room, he’d reunite it with its scabbard. “Do you know how to use a sword?”
“No. A paring knife is about the extent of my skill with blades.”
Tavish smiled, wondering if she was trying to lighten his mood. “I suppose you could protect yourself with that if you had to.”
She took a deep breath, moving toward the fire as she did so. “What will you do now that you have the sword?”
He should go home immediately and return the sword to its hiding place, where it would remain. “Well, when I was out tonight, it seems the snow melted enough today to allow for travel.”
“Did it?” She sounded as disappointed by that assessment as he felt. “For horses only, or also for vehicles?”
Crossing the room, he joined her in front of the hearth. “Either. I imagine you and your aunt will wish to continue to Dunkeld.”
Elspeth tipped her head back to look up at him. The firelight danced across the arch of her brow and the curve of her cheek. “Yes, I’m sure she will.”
He couldn’t look away from her, not just because of her beauty, but because of the way she looked at him. As if he were more than he was. “But not you?”
“No.” She blinked. “I mean, I do want to return. I also don’t want to leave.”
He half smiled. “Because the inn is so inviting?”
She stepped toward him, closing the gap between them. “It’s nothing to do with the inn, and I think you know that.”
“I wasn’t completely certain, but I am now.” He itched to touch her, to claim her. He flexed his hands against his thighs. “May I accompany you to Dunkeld?”
“Yes.” She wetted her lips with her tongue. Tavish nearly groaned.
“I won’t be able to stay long. I promised my grandmother I’d be home for the new year.”
“You can’t disappoint her,” she whispered with a hint of sadness.
“No.” He lifted his hand to her cheek, then tucked a red-gold lock of hair behind her ear. Grazing his fingers along the outer edge, he felt her tremble. His body reacted, twitching with need for her. “I don’t wish to disappoint you either.”
She pushed her hands up his chest and clutched his coat. “Then I think you’d better kiss me.”
Tavish curled his hand around her head, cupping her as his mouth claimed hers. She pulled at him as her lips and tongue met his in a fierce dance of desire. He put his other hand on the small of her back and pressed so that their hips came together.
His fingers met a pin in her hair, so he pulled it free. Then another and another. Her curls began to tumble over his hand. He continued until there was nothing left but the feel of her silken tresses between his fingers. Pulling back, he gazed down at her. “Beautiful,” he murmured.
She twined her hands around his neck and tugged until their lips met once more. The heat of the fire to his left combined with the scorching need lighting through him. He wanted to peel her clothes away until she was bare before him. Then he would worship her body with his hands and mouth until she quivered with desire. Then he would bring her pleasure until she cried his name and came apart.
Summoning a strength he wasn’t sure