“Aye, but ye’ll do.”
Sabrina flushed at his unexpected praise.
To her astonishment, she found herself in great demand as a dancing partner. Niall claimed her for the first dance, a Highland reel, but afterward, the men of both their clans sought her out and kept her occupied, leaving her flushed and breathless from the sport.
She was flattered and a bit dazed by so much masculine attention. Geordie hovered beside her with a proprietary air, and she found herself enjoying a light flirtation, testing her newfound skills at dalliance.
As day melted into dusk, Niall returned to her and they partook of a delicious supper. He remained at her side even when night fell and the Beltane fires were lit.
In the chill air, Sabrina relished the warmth. A luminous full moon, huge and misty white, hovered over the dark hills as the merrymakers gathered around the bonfires to celebrate the pagan rituals of May Day.
Tongues of flame licked the night, while the pipes wailed a haunting melody. Sabrina watched in excitement and awe as a dozen Highland lads vaulted over the blaze, barely escaping the sparks that shot skyward.
As the night wore on, the revelry grew wilder. Within the fire’s glow, shadowy figures cavorted in frenzied abandon.
Sabrina fell silent as the heat and magic wove a dark enchantment around her. The whisky she’d imbibed had gone to her head, but it was Niall’s nearness that affected her more. To her surprise, he had not left her side.
“Ah, now the true frolic begins,” he bent to whisper in her ear.
“Frolic?”
He nodded toward the copse. Sabrina felt her heart beat faster as she watched a couple disappear into the dark wood, knowing their intent.
“Beware, lass, lest some bold rogue carry you off.”
Her breath wavered with telltale unevenness at his warning. Yet some devil prompted her next words. “Am I in danger of ravishment, sir?”
“Would you like to be?”
“I…believe so.”
The smoldering light that flared in Niall’s eyes mirrored the blaze of the flames.
Sabrina shivered at the sight, thrilling at the power of her femininity. Tonight she was no mouse. Tonight she was beautiful, the object of this remarkable man’s desire. It
was a dazzling triumph to know that he wanted her.
And yet it would be unwise to capitulate so easily. She would do better to tease Niall, to pretend to resist his blandishments, though resistance was the last thing on her mind.
“I should think frolicking with your own wife too tame for a rogue like you, though,” she remarked lightly.
The sultry grin he gave her was pure seduction. “Let us put it to the test, shall we?”
She returned a coquettish smile. “I have no wish to freeze to death, my lord. The night is far too cold to be engaging in such depravity.”
Watching her, Niall chuckled, the sound rich and amused. “There are times when you are too transparent, lass. The hunger in your eyes betrays you. Confess, you are yearning to indulge in a bit of wicked adventure. Come, mouse,” he said when she hesitated. “I will show you how it is done. I promise to keep you warm.”
“Very well…if you insist.”
“How charming to have such a docile wife,” he murmured huskily, a hint of laughter edging the words.
He took her hand and led her away from the bonfires, into the chill night. Sabrina could feel her heart hammering as they threaded their way through dark stands of alder and birch. Beyond the wood, plump grazing sheep dotted the meadow, their thick fleeces silver in the moonlight.
She told herself she was only satisfying her curiosity regarding the debauchery of a pagan festival. Yet when he discovered a hidden copse far from the revelry, Sabrina realized she was merely deceiving herself. The anticipation of being in Niall’s arms was enough to make her throb and burn, and the thought of the pleasure to come aroused a wonderful, moist, aching weakness in the secret place between her thighs.
Her pulse leapt violently when Niall paused to glance at her quizzically, his chiseled features heartbreakingly beautiful in the silvery shadows. Her gaze fastened on those sensual lips as he bent his head…
When his mouth touched hers, her breath fled. He kissed her lightly, but she was helpless against the surge of warmth that washed through her.