The Libertine (Taskill Witches 2)

Chloris stared at him, almost too nervous to speak and break the spell, for it had to be a spell, this vision of her handsome lover standing here in Edinburgh. He was barely five paces away, and yet she could not believe it was really true. Lennox. His posture was poised and the atmosphere around him filled with his presence—with a sense of anticipation and tension that was palpable. He looked so handsome, so wild and passionate, and the light burning in his eyes was intense.

The frown he wore vanished when he saw it was her who had clattered up the stairs. Chloris could not hold back her joy. She fled across the landing and into his arms, her hands locking around his head as she welcomed his hungry, possessive kiss.

When they drew apart she stared up at him in wonder. “Lennox, oh, Lennox. Why did you risk your safety to follow me when you should be with your people?”

He smiled down at her. “Because I love you, and I promised you I would love you forever. That meant there was only one thing for me to do, to find you and keep you safe.”

Her hand went to his chest, her emotions spinning. All the doubts she had harbored about his intentions—all the fears that it was fanciful nonsense and he felt no lasting affection for her and that she was nothing more than another conquest for a wild libertine—disappeared because she could see it in his eyes. Possessive, proud and filled with desire, he had come to her.

“Oh, Lennox,” she whispered.

“Are you well and safe?” He smoothed back her hair from her forehead as he studied her intently.

She nodded, unable to do more. She knew the real meaning in his question. He wanted to know if Gavin had harmed her.

His finger beneath the chin forced her to look up and meet his gaze. “You look tired.”

“I’ve been worried.” She prayed that he would not press her to say more.

He took her hand and led her into the room beyond, a furnished parlor of some comfort. Closing the door, he shut the world out. Again she found herself held in his arms, held tight and thoroughly kissed.

“I missed you more than I thought possible,” he whispered to her, and his voice was husky with emotion.

“As did I. The thought that I might never see you again made me wish to die.”

“Don’t say that.” He shook his head, as if he could not bear her words.

How deeply he felt, as did she.

Desire shot between them.

She arched in his arms, her body kindling. Memories of their lovemaking flooded her with need to be coupled with him again, to prove this reunion was real.

His hands enclosed the curve of her bosom, cupping her breasts from beneath.

Breathlessly, she responded. Standing on her tiptoes, she pressed her hips to his. His hands roved quickly up and down her back and around her waist, as if he wanted to touch all of her at once.

“Come, sit.” He led her to a long couch. She glanced about and saw a bedchamber through the doorway beyond.

Perching on the seat, she sighed with relief and undid her cloak where it was tied at her neck, letting it fall away. She could not take her gaze from her lover’s face. Here in this furnished parlor he looked like a laird. The gentle ticktock of the clock that stood behind him seemed almost incongruous. It was so calm, when between them their passion for one another was as wild and powerful as it had been out in the bluebell glen.

But he was here, and that very real fact made her afraid for his safety.

Chloris felt the dangers closing in.

If Tamhas knew about Lennox’s action, he might send word to the Edinburgh witch finders. They might already be armed with information that could quickly arrange for her lover to be put to dea

th. Her belly turned over and she felt light-headed, her emotions tangling. “You shouldn’t have taken the risk. Tamhas will be angered you got away, he might—”

Lennox silenced her with one finger on her lips. “My people are safely gone, headed for the Highlands.”

A deep sense of guilt tugged at her innards. “I’m so sorry to have brought this dreadful situation upon you and yours.”

Lennox shook his head. “You did not bring this upon us. The feud between Tamhas Keavey and my coven has gone on for a long while. He has done terrible things, and long before you and I met. One of my men...Keavey stole the use of his arm when he found him picking forage. Broke him by beating him and then trampled him with his horse.”

Chloris shut her eyes, ashamed and horrified by Tamhas’s actions.

“He was set on having us turned away from Saint Andrews, or better still put to death, if he could organize that.”