Lady X

* * *

“Aye, history vibrates off the walls, doesn’t it?” his lordship said as he led Exerilla through the charming mansion.

“It does,” she agreed, her mouth dropping as she looked around. “When was it built?”

?

??Ooh, I was told it was first constructed in the days of the Normans. The design is a strange mixture of styles.”

“I love the blue turrets, and pointed gables, it looks like a fairytale castle,” Exerilla said unconsciously.

He eyed her for a long moment, “Aye, I can see ye in medieval clothes, gliding about the ancient halls, a whispery thing of beauty.”

She snorted, “Gliding about? Whispery? Me? Anyone who knows me would know that so does not describe the way I am or take on life.”

“And how do ye take on life, lass?”

“By the horns!” she said with a laugh. “I mean to go through life running and jumping and having a blast. I am not a graceful glider. I don’t always think, you see, and before I can stop myself, there I am, running headlong into something I shouldn’t and that usually means trouble,” she ended with a sigh. She thought about what she had just said and wished she could take it back. She had to be less herself and more a woman of this era.

He laughed and looked around to find a stout woman in a white mop cap, and serviceable white apron over a crisp day gown of dark blue. Exerilla had no doubt that this was Mrs. Lyons.

The older woman went toward her, but X saw the look of disapproval in her vague round hazel eyes, as his lordship said, “Ah, Mrs. Lyons, I think our guest would enjoy a cool drink before she has to ride home.” So saying, his lordship put his arm around the woman and gave her a squeeze. “What say ye?”

“Ye know very well what I think,” she answered pugnaciously, but she nodded kindly toward Exerilla. Mrs. Lyons then immediately took control by stepping between them.

Exerilla’s lips twitched for she did not miss the look of disapproval Mrs. Lyons shot his lordship as she said, “I have everything in readiness, for miss,” she glanced over Exerilla and added, “Perhaps ye would like to wash up and refresh yerself first.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful,” Exerilla exclaimed thankfully.

It didn’t take long for X to wash up, undo the buttons of her riding jacket and sit back with her lemonade. Mrs. Lyons chatted to her, plumped up pillows, poked at the small fire in the hearth and generally kept herself busy, but watchful.

His lordship joined them, striding hard and purposefully through the door and Exerilla couldn’t help but note once again that Mrs. Lyons shot him a very speaking look before she said, “It isn’t m’place,” she paused and folded her hands across her substantial middle, “But, I do think, Miss Radley would be better served to finish her drink and start for home. The sky, I think, is turning.”

Not a cloud had formed to obscure the bright sun. Exerilla was fairly certain that this was the older woman’s way of sending her safely home and securing her reputation. She was sure that staying here alone with Hunter MacTorry was a big no-no in this era.

She smiled to herself and said, “Indeed Mrs. Lyons, I must be off, but thank you so much for the refreshment.” She got to her feet.

It was at this moment that a resounding clap of metal against stone echoed through the house and Mrs. Lyons struck her hands together and murmured, “Preserve me from the dolts I must forever be dealing with!” So saying, she was off to find the source of the noise and X was left looking up at his lordship’s handsome self.

Trouble started humming out its tune in her head. “Oh Trouble, the moment he walked in.”

He walked toward her, as Taylor Swift sang out the words in her mind; she had the sudden notion that he was more man than she had ever come across in her life.

She had to stop herself because if she didn’t she was going to throw herself into his arms. It was as simple as that.

She put out her hand and discovered his hard muscular chest. It was a wonder that he didn’t burst out of his clothes.

He stood in place, against her fingers. She told herself to breathe and then managed to say, “I believe we are breaking the rules. I have always been told that rules are quite necessary.”

“Indeed,” he agreed quietly. His blue eyes were intense and she couldn’t look away from them. His hands were on her waist and his voice was a caress as he said, “So small and trim, lass, so perfectly made for a man to hold,” he slipped one hand around her and added, “The rules ye speak of were put in place to stop rogues like m’self from taking unfair advantage of lasses at moments like these.”

All at once, she was in his embrace and he was taking her mouth with his own. Her lips parted to receive his tongue and she was swept into another universe. This kiss was just as his first, it electrified her. She had the sudden illusion that she was made for him, for his kisses and his touch.

Oh, but he tasted like honey, sweet and delicious, and she was sure, that never before had a man tasted so good. She was lost in that moment, in that kiss, in the needing and the wanting that goes with uncontrollable desire.

He broke away to whisper in her ear, “Ye taste like more, I must have more of ye.”

What the hell was she doing?, Her mind was racing. She had to be strong. She was in the wrong place, and surely he was the wrong one! She broke away.