“I never apologized for taking you from Bath the way that I did. Although, I canna say I regret it. This last week has been . . .” He didn’t finish, but his smile pulled at her heart.
“It has been wonderful,” she said.
“I hate that I scared you.” Brodie brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, his gaze impossibly tender. “I would never hurt you, lass.”
She leaned into his palm as he cupped her cheek. “I know.”
“’Tis funny, is it not? All this time, I thought I kidnapped the wrong sister. But as it turns out, I took the right one.” He leaned in and kissed her. It was a sweet kiss, like one between two people who had been lovers and friends for years, not days.
Lydia moved her hand to the back of his neck to keep him close as she deepened the kiss. Their mouths broke apart briefly as she teased him.
“Never hold back with me, Scot.”
Brodie chuckled and tumbled her backward on the blanket. He captured her wrists above her head with one of his hands, pinning them into the soft plaid blanket beneath them. He took his time kissing her, first sweetly, then more passionately until she was flushed with excitement.
“This is how I will remember us,” he whispered in her ear between kisses. “Like this, in the sunshine, the breeze in your hair, and clear skies reflected in your eyes.” Brodie nuzzled her neck, and Lydia’s heart swelled within her chest.
She would remember everything about him when this was over, not just how he was with her, but how he was with those he cared about. How he sang Isla to sleep each night, how he teased Aiden into smiling, or how he would let his guard down over a game of cards and laugh with Rafe. There were a thousand things about Brodie Kincade that could make a woman fall in love. He believed he was cold and aloof, but he betrayed himself with every bit of love he gave others, even if he didn’t realize it.
She captured his lips with hers, and he pulled her skirt up to her waist as he slid into the cradle of her thighs.
“Make love to me,” she demanded. “Fast and hard.”
His wicked grin made her moan as he pinned her hands above her head again so he could continue his tender assault at an agonizingly slow pace.
“You devil!” She gasped and fought against his imprisoning hold because she wanted to touch him, to grip him while he tortured her with his sinful mouth.
“Be still, my wee captive. I’ll take you as I please.” He laughed so mockingly she almost laughed as well, but she was too desperate for him now. The sudden sound of a footstep and a cold voice froze her and Brodie in place.
“Release my sister, or I swear I will kill you.”
Brodie started to move.
“Slowly, or I’ll shoot.”
Lydia peered over Brodie’s shoulder to see a bedraggled boy covered in dust, aiming a flintlock pistol at Brodie’s back. Lydia recognized the face. It wasn’t a boy at all. “Portia, no!”
Brodie spun, taking Portia to the ground just as the gun went off with a loud crack.
“What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing, woman?” Brodie snarled at Portia. “You could have killed her!”
“You monster!” Portia screamed. “I was saving her from you!”
Lydia scrambled to her knees and pulled on Brodie’s shoulder.
“Let her go, Brodie. She thought you were hurting me.”
Brodie slowly released Portia. He got to his feet and helped Lydia up.
Portia was breathing hard as she stood. “Lydia, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine, Portia. Why on earth are you wearing men’s clothing? And where is Papa? Is he with you?”
“I’m alone,” Portia replied sullenly. “After you were taken, Papa sent me to Brighton with Aunt Cornelia. I escaped, dressed like a boy, and traveled on the Royal Mail coaches to Edinburgh. Then I hired a coach to the village nearby and had to walk the rest of the way.” She smacked her breeches, which were covered with dirt.
Lydia couldn’t help but stare at her little sister. Gone was the perfect beauty. Her sister was bedraggled, filthy, and looked ready to collapse.
Brodie picked the pistol up from the ground and tucked it behind his back in the waistband of his trousers.
“Portia, dear, you look exhausted.”
“I am,” Portia admitted. “But I had to save you.” Her eyes