had to keep reminding himself of that.
Of course, that wasn’t to say he didn’t mind looking at her. She was stunning, and he wouldn’t kick her out of bed if he were lucky enough for some sport with her. But she was made for marriage, and he most definitely was not.
“Taking her to bed willnae be a chore,” Alistair murmured.
All Kiergan could do was shake his head mutely, still staring at the beauty.
He didn’t take women to bed. He brought them pleasure and took his own on their body, but not in bed. The barn, numerous niches in the castle, the lass’s bed, up against the wall, the old chapel, and on one memorable occasion, a haystack…but never in his bed.
And he wasn’t going to start, just for a woman who looked like an angel come to earth, yet glared like a demon.
To his surprise—and Alistair’s too, judging from the way he gasped—another woman emerged from the carriage. She was dressed just as well as the first but wasn’t angry. Instead, she glanced around the courtyard as if intrigued.
“A maid?” Kiergan murmured, his attention on the second lass. She had an air of adventure to her, as if she were looking for some fun.
Exactly my kind of lass.
“Nay, look at their features,” his twin replied. “They look verra much alike. Sisters, mayhap?”
Aye, Alistair was right. This one was as beautiful as the first, although it took a moment to realize. “If they’re sisters, why did Da only mention the one?”
“Mayhap MacKinnon only offered one granddaughter in marriage?” Alistair shrugged. “Or mayhap…” He leaned against the stone and peered down. “Look at her.”
“Och, I am looking.”
This lass had thrown her head back and was scanning the battlements, a faint smile on her lips. When her gaze reached him, she froze, meeting his eyes. St. Columba’s tit, she was beautiful, was she not? As beautiful as her sister, for certes! But ‘twas the air of challenge, of adventure, which intrigued Kiergan.
Slowly, holding his gaze, she raised one brow, and Kiergan found himself smiling.
But he saw what his twin brother had seen. “Her eyes,” he murmured.
“Aye,” Alistair said grimly. “ ’Tis the mark of the devil.”
This MacKinnon lass, whoever she was, had one eye of clearest blue—as blue as her sister’s eyes, as blue as the sky on a cloudless day. But her other eye ’twas a tawny color, the same as the hide of Kiergan’s favorite mount. Both colors were stunning, arresting.
But with one of each, she was damned.
Damnably intriguing, ye mean.
It was as if she could read his thoughts, even across the space between them. Her other brow joined the first, and Kiergan’s smile grew at her challenge.
She was strangely beautiful, despite her mismatched eyes, but it was her boldness which pleased him. Since she’d stepped out of the carriage, he hadn’t even looked at her sister, and she had to have noticed that. Och, well, her sister was angry to be here, whereas she…
She looked as if she’d been interested in some fun.
Exactly my kind of lass.
“Ye lucky bastard,” Alistair murmured again, and Kiergan had to agree.
Two MacKinnon sisters. He didn’t plan on marrying either one, but there’d be a feast tonight to welcome them. And he’d sit in between them and enjoy himself. What man wouldn’t, surrounded by such beauty?
Chapter 2
Saints preserve her, but Kiergan Oliphant was the most handsome man she’d ever seen!
And when Katlyn discovered she was supposed to sit beside him at the meal, her heart pounded. But unlike the time her sister dared her to climb the curtain wall, and Katlyn thought her heart might burst from her chest in fear, now she only felt…anticipation?
It might’ve been easier had Kiergan been besotted with Davina, as he was supposed to be. If that had been the case, it would’ve been easier not to like him. He, like so many men before him, would be pathetic in his attempt to impress Vina. Heaven knew Katlyn had seen it time and again and felt naught but pity for the poor sods.
If that had been the case, ‘twould have been simple to ignore his charm, his handsome face, and that devastating smile.
Dinnae forget his body. Did ye see those arms? And his arse is so nicely formed too.
Och, ‘twas a terrible thing when a lassie’s mind teamed with her libido and ganged up on her.
Aye, it would’ve been easier had Kiergan fallen over himself in an attempt to impress Davina, who was making no secret of her irritation at