Chapter Seven #2
He’d considered that a great deal over the past days riding quietly behind her.
There was no barrier, only his desires and hers.
And so here he was, doing his best to find out just that.
But he wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all himself.
He’d known he wanted to make her his the moment she entered the great hall at Stirling Castle.
And now he would also discover her wishes.
She’d been embarrassed to speak of her desires to find a husband, and understandably so.
Young ladies did not normally speak of such things to unattached men as it could be seen as unbecoming and desperate.
But she was not like that and the sentiment she’d shared was not in that context.
Now before him, he considered this bright, beautiful woman with a striking imagination and a kind soul.
Fin had seen it immediately and had voiced his concern in the most authoritative way possible for a man of his station.
He’d practically threatened harm to William should one hair on her head be out of place upon her arrival at her home.
William grinned thinking about the disheveled state she’d be in if he could have the kind of night with her he longed for.
“Are you plotting your next fairytale, William, or remembering something pleasurable.”
Christ, even the way she said pleasure made his loins react.
“I was indeed thinking of pleasurable things, Lady Agnes,” he said in a pointedly low voice.
She shifted in her saddle, and he hoped it was for the reasons his mind conjured.
“I suppose, William, since I am to address you by your given name when there is no one else around, that you may do the same.”
“Thank you, Agnes. You do me quite the honor.”
Tilting her head to the side, she asked, “May I ask what color are your eyes? I can never quite make it out.”
He pulled back on the reins and stopped his horse and waited until she did the same. If that wasn’t an invitation, he didn’t know what was.
“Would you like to take a closer look?”
She turned her head toward him as he leaned down closer to her. Their horses were side by side allowing him to hold his face just inches from hers. He had full control over his horse to remain steady, and he would with hers as well if need be.
This moment would tell him everything he needed to know about her desires, and he was already well on his way to knowing the truth of it as her breathing became ragged.
“Agnes,” he whispered. “You are so beautiful.”
“I—”
“May I kiss you?”
She swallowed hard and in a small voice said, “Aye.”
He brushed his lips across hers as he reached one hand up to stroke the tender skin below her ear.
He then held the back of her neck and drew her into a deeper kiss, parting her lips and tasting her sweetness.
When she returned the kiss matching his movements, he sought her tongue.
By God, she must be an enchantress come to drive him mad with desire.
When their tongues met and danced, she groaned in her throat. It was too much. He could not lay a finger on her and then not have her. He pulled back and stared hard into her eyes. There was more desire there than he’d ever seen in a woman’s eyes before.
“Agnes,” he whispered again. “I cannot resist you. I want you so badly. Forgive me, but I cannot kiss you like that again. It is too powerful, and I will not be able to stop from pleasuring you until you scream my name and beg for release.”
He was well aware how he sounded, but he couldn’t do this to himself or to her. She was a lady and as such deserved to be treated with respect and protected. Not taken advantage of on a deserted road with no one to intercept and intervene. He was her protecter. Who would save her from him?
Ages straightened up and touched her lips. “But what if I want you to kiss me?”
“You cannot say that, Agnes. I only have so much self-control.”
Did she not understand what was at stake?
After a few moments, she pulled away from him, adjusted herself, and trotted ahead.
He sat back and raked his hand through his hair then scraped his hand down across his face.
Christ’s teeth, he’d made a mess of it. Just when he had broken through and gotten onto common ground with her, he had to take it to a level from which they could not return. What was done could not be undone.
William rode behind her and matched her speed when she wanted to gallop and when she wanted to trot. Thankfully the guards had been keeping a good distance ahead and behind them and would not have seen anything.
They rode in silence for the remainder of the journey to Inverness. He’d had a long-running understanding with the Gordon of Inverness Castle, that he would find lodgings there at any time required or desired. The same arrangement was reciprocated as both clans were well favored with one another.
By his estimation, they would reach the castle before sundown, and from there they would break a meal together.
Then they would not have to see one another again until the next day.
He would give her all the space she desired, but he would know her whereabouts at all times.
He’d promised to protect her, and that’s exactly what he intended to do, even if it meant keeping her at arm’s length.
Or…
He could do the right thing and ask for her hand.
There had never been, and would never be another woman he desired more, so why did he hesitate?
He could think of no good reason. And once he’d come to that realization, his entire outlook changed.
He could see them at Mugdock Castle, loving one another and raising a family together.
She would be the addition he’d always dreamed of.
The more he thought of it, the lighter his heart lifted than it had been for a long time.
Now he needed to formulate a plan and explore the perfect moment to execute it. He would ask her, but he couldn’t formally announce anything until he spoke with her father. There needn’t be any reason for anyone to question propriety on either of their part.
Aye, he would make her his. Every part of that made him want to gallop up to her, lift her onto his saddle, and never let her go again.
He decided he would do at least the first part and took off to catch up with her.
Once she realized he was galloping hard toward her, she took off and it was a while before he actually caught up.
By the time he did, she’d slowed to a trot and frowned.
“Have you gone mad in the head?” she asked.
“I have finally found clarity, Agnes.”
“Then I suggest you use it to fuel your common sense. You could have spooked her and harmed me.”
Put like that, he did realize he was a wee bit overzealous, but he couldn’t help himself. He smiled broadly at her, “I do apologize, my lady. I did not mean to spook your horse or startle you. I had a sudden need to be near you.”
She shook her head and turned back to look at the road ahead. From his vantage point, he was intently aware of a small smile resting on her lips. And he intended to keep it there.