Devils Own (Clan MacAlpin 2)
Page 55
Elspeth deserved some farmer, with a safely predictable life. Not that her father would ever let her go. He doubted the man would be able—or willing—to fend for himself. She’d spend her days caring for her father, then, upon his death, she’d marry herself and her land to someone like their neighbor Angus.
A hot brew of envy, anger, and frustration coursed through his veins. He could see himself as her farmer husband. He could envision himself as the man sharing her life, protecting her, buying her wee comforts. “A fine thing, this caretaking of yours. Your father has his wee luxuries, while you, Beth, you don’t seem to have anything. ”
“Just because I don’t have spectacles! I have, I have …” She huffed, putting hands on hips, looking like she was trying to come up with a list of belongings. “I have things. ”
“Aye, if you count chores to do and bills to pay. ” He took in the sight of her ratty shawl and her faded skirts.
“It’s not just the spectacles. When was the last time you had yourself a new dress?”
Looking suddenly forlorn, she glanced down at her muddied hem. “What’s the matter with my dress?”
“You should be in finest satin, but your father has you pinching every penny. ”
He regretted the dismay on her face—he was the last man to care about a silly frock—and altered course. “All I’m saying is, you seem always to put your father first. But you’re not a child anymore. You’re old enough to deserve the things that you want, that you need. ”
“Old enough? Are you calling me a spinster?”
Spinster indeed. With the sparks in her eyes and the blood in her cheeks, Elspeth was beautiful. Like a doe who’d stood frozen only to spring to glorious life. “Spinster is the last word I’d use to describe you, luvvie,” he said with cold laughter in his voice.
“Don’t you dare laugh. ” She swatted his arm, but slipped on the slick terrain. She had to grab his shirtsleeves to steady herself, looking the angrier for it. “Folk have laughed, discounted, misunderstood, overlooked, and disregarded me quite enough. ” Clenching her fingers, she gave his arms a shove. “Quite enough. ”
“I’ve never discounted you, Beth. ” He nodded at one of her hands. “Your strength, however, leaves much to be desired. ”
“You maddening, maddening …” She shoved again, and this time when she slipped, he caught her about her waist.
He cocked a brow. “Mule?”
She held still, and when she spoke again, her voice was small. “I know you’re used to well-to-do women. Women who wear rich silks and feathers in their hair. I know I’m not as fancy, or as well spoken—”
He gave her waist a squeeze. “You don’t seem to be having any trouble speaking now. And trust me,” he said, with an exaggerated shudder. “As for those other women, I’ve little use for fancy. ”
“But I can’t believe you … you …” Her shoulders fell. “Aidan, you disparaged my clothing. ”
He laughed outright, teasing a reluctant smile from her.
She gave him one last good-natured shove. “I told you not to—oh!” She lost her footing and tumbled into him.
Aidan caught her in an embrace, but the weight of her body propelled against him was too much. He fell backward, landing on the mucky path with a dull splat, Elspeth lying atop him belly to belly.
His laughter was unchecked now, and he wiped drops of mud from her cheek while he gathered himself. “Are you happy, Beth? My clothes are now muddier than yours. ”
She tried to roll off. “Oh, good heavens. I am so sorry. ”
He only hugged her closer. “Nonsense. This serves my purposes quite nicely, because I’ll not free you until I believe that you’ve listened. Elspeth Farquharson, you’re more well spoken, more thoughtful, gentler, and lovelier by far than any of those damned plantation women. So please tell me I’ve heard the last of them from out of that mouth. ”
He glanced at her lips to underscore his point, but it was a mistake. Those lips were gently parted, looking long overdue for a kiss. Not to mention that the most charming mud spatter had graced her chin.
Aidan nestled her higher along his body, and the softness of her breasts on his chest was sweet torture. It was all he could do not to roll her and take her innocence there in the mud.
Not surprisingly, Elspeth remained unaware of her predicament. “I know you tire of it,” she said, “but it’s just …” Finally, his words seemed to register. Tilting her head, she gave Aidan a quizzical look. “Did you say lovelier?”
“I think I said ‘lovelier by far. ’ ” He could no longer fight it. The feel of her body on his held a promise too sweet to deny. Elspeth was guileless and pure, and the devil curse him, but he wanted a taste. He swept his hands down her back, resting just above the slope of her bottom. “Though I can think of one way in which you’re deficient. ”
Eyes wide, she asked, “You can?”
“Aye, Beth. I daresay, you’ve never been kissed. ”
Chapter 18