“I was. Very much so.” Sarina sighed as she brought her glass of madeira to her mouth and downed a small tasting.
Campbell, meanwhile, finished off his drink and reached for the first of the diaries stacked on the table. “Yer father rarely talked of his private life.”
She set her wine glass down. “That’s no surprise. Father rarely talked much of anything, to anyone. When he was home, he continued to throw himself into his work. Though I do recall once, when he had received a package from Elsbeth’s father, that he gathered both of us and showed us a collection of sketches my step-grandfather drew of a mummified, Egyptian cat he’d unearthed on one of his digs in Egypt. The man’s area of study was mainly animal bones. He appeared obsessed with his skeletal findings the most, though he did enjoy his work in Scotland, too. His collection of artifacts, mainly bones, are now housed in various museums. Save of course for those damn wolf teeth. He bequeathed them to my father, who eventually gave them to Nevan.”
A low murmur shook the house.
Sarina reached instinctively for Campbell’s thigh, her fingers gripping him hard.
He placed his hand over hers. “The Hall willnae eat ye, Sarina.”
“Eat me? I hadn’t even thought of the idea.” God, but what was she getting herself into? “Has it ever eaten anyone?”
A smile touched Campbell’s mouth. “No. Though I would be lying if I said there werenae rumors of other houses in Dundaire having done so.”
“Is there proof of such horrors?” She didn’t like the idea that a house could eat a human.
“No, thank goodness. But that doesnae stop the locals from keeping the tales alive.”
She took relief in Campbell’s words, though not for long as a whiff of lime came her way only seconds later. The intoxicating fragrance sauntered under her nose, caressed her senses to the point that she slowly became aware of her soul opening up. It craved Campbell’s scent. Wanted to wrap itself around the heady smell, entwine itself with it, give itself up to it completely and wholly and do so without even the slightest speck of remorse. Much in the way she’d like to do the same with Campbell, himself.
Warmth spiraled through Sarina. Abandoning her soul to the corruption of sin, she did nothing to fight off her growing desire for her Highland marquis. She even kept her hand on his thigh.
A second rumble thundered through the room.
“Does Lycansay Hall ever communicate in ways other than grumbles and vibrations?” She scanned the library, her gaze searching over curtains and bookcases.
Campbell placed his hand on her chin and gently guided her head back his way. “It willnae harm ye.”
She wished she could believe him. “This is all very new to me. I mean, I have experienced many wild things in my life, but I must say, a living, breathing house has not been one of them.”
Leaning his head close, Campbell whispered. “Part of my soul is tied to Lycansay Hall, to this land. And while I cannae promise ye everything will always be good and safe; I will do all in my power to protect ye. To the best of my ability.”
She knew she should resist this enchanting Scot, but with the intake of one note of his unique scent, she was all his. It was a craving far too powerful to fight off.
She licked her lips.
Campbell cursed, his gaze dropping to her mouth. He bent his head and brushed his lips over hers, gently at first, then more intense with a hunger she could only define as needy as her own craving.
A burst of warmth shot straight to the apex of her thighs. Her nub tingled. She moaned and brought Campbell’s hand to that sacred area, her private folds aching for his touch. She squeezed her thighs together.
He pressed his fingers against her.
A soft whine escaped Sarina’s throat, but it was quickly silenced as Campbell delved his tongue into her mouth with a quick thrust.
Gods, but the man even tasted like Heaven. There was a stirring heat to kiss tonight, its fury laden with the traces of his earlier drink of Scotch.
For the first time in Sarina’s life, she finally felt…free. The odd realization further fueled her desire for Campbell, made her want to give herself to him entirely.
She bucked her hips against his massaging hand.
Campbell pulled away, but only to reach for her gown and gather the fabric up