Chapter 7 #2
She considered bowing out after all, but he had already strapped the skates to her boots. Capturing both of her hands, he eased her to her feet. “Take some time to get your balance, lass.”
Her ankles wobbled. “Heavens!”
She dug her fingers into his forearms, clinging to his sleeves when she tipped backward. His arms circled her waist, cradling her against his chest. She felt steadier already, even as her blood raced through her veins.
“It will come naturally to you after a time,” he said.
“Natural? I feel like I’m balancing on the edge of a cliff.”
His mouth grazed her temple as he leaned down to speak in a voice as smooth and comforting as warm chocolate. “I willna let you fall. You have my word.”
Edith glanced up at him and nearly sighed before she caught herself. He grew more handsome each time she saw him, which must be a trick of her eyes. She wasn’t wearing her spectacles lately since she only truly needed them for reading. Perhaps that accounted for his increasing appeal.
His grin widened as he met her gaze. “Are you ready to take the plunge, lass?”
“I never plunge, Mr. McTaggart. I give careful consideration to everything I undertake, and then I proceed with cau—”
“You think too much.” He swept her off the ground, his arm beneath her knees, and carried her onto the ice.
“Mr. McTaggart! What are you doing?”
“Teaching you to have a little fun. Once you’ve learned that lesson, I’ll show you how to skate.”
In a flash, they were flying along the ice. With a squeal, she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed her eyes shut. Cool air rushed over her face.
“Open your eyes, lass.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to see disaster coming.”
Laughter rumbled in his chest. “There willna be any disaster. I’ve been on skates as long as I’ve been walking. Will you trust me not to hurt you?”
Earnestness rang in his words, and because she wanted to trust him, she cracked one eye open. The ice teemed with McTaggarts, and she was certain they would collide with one at any moment, but Mr. McTaggart cut through the crowd with ease.
A young man with unruly black hair drew even with them, bestowing a heart-stopping smile before addressing Mr. McTaggart. “Abducted a woman, have you, Fergus? Wise. How else are you going to get a pretty one in your bed?”
Mr. McTaggart growled at his clansman. “Show some respect, whelp, before I show your nose my fist.”
The young man winked at her before lurching out of Mr. McTaggart’s reach, prompting the bigger man to curse at him.
Edith giggled nervously at the memory of Mr. McTaggart’s large bed in his chamber.
“Forgive my cousin’s lack of manners,” he said. “Hamish’s mother dropped him on his head one too many times. Knocked the sense right out of him, not to mention his manners.”
“Oh?” Her smile faded.
She didn’t mind being disrespected nearly as much when someone called her pretty. It was a petty, vain thought, but all her life she’d been the plain sister, the invisible one at the brothel, or the forgettable friend. Believing she was attractive, even for a fleeting moment, felt nice.
Mr. McTaggart’s arms flexed beneath her knees, and she wondered if he was growing tired of holding her. He cleared his throat. “I dinnae abduct lasses, and I havenae had one in my bed for a long time, but that’s by choice.”
She flicked a hand in the air. “I really don’t need to know about y-your personal affairs.”
His brow wrinkled. “There isnae much that’s considered personal with the McTaggarts.
Everyone knows what each other is up to all the time, so you might hear a tale or two about my younger days.
I was a bit of a rogue, but I can promise you this: I dinnae intend to bed you, no matter how pretty you are.
I know you’re a respectable lass, and I’d never mistreat you. ”
Her heart expanded, filling her chest. That was one of the nicest compliments she’d ever received. “Thank you, Mr. McTaggart.”
“No need for thanks. I was only stating the facts.”
She squeezed his shoulder in appreciation anyway. “You can put me down now if you like. I’m ready to try on my own.”
He skidded to a stop and gently placed her on her feet.
Her legs immediately went in opposite directions as soon as the skate blades touched the ice, but he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her upright.
She cried out and laughed as her legs twisted beneath her.
Though she had no control over them any longer, Mr. McTaggart kept his promise and didn’t allow her to fall.
After a while, she managed to maintain her balance and make short shuffling movements with Mr. McTaggart half supporting her weight. He offered quiet directions and words of encouragement as her confidence and ability improved.
By the end of the hour, she couldn’t claim to be any good at skating, but she was having fun. He didn’t leave her side for the remainder of the day.
When it was time to return to Aldmist Fell, he helped her off the ice and knelt at her feet again to remove her skates. “You did well, lass. Next time, you willna need as much help.”
She snorted. “Next time?”
“Aye.” He looked up from releasing the strap on her skate. “I predict many more next times for you, Edith Gallagher.”
She didn’t argue, for it didn’t matter whether he was right or wrong. She had enjoyed herself, and the prospect of another lovely day like today pleased her.
He removed the second skate but didn’t rise from his knee. “My mother said you helped her in the kitchen yesterday. She was in dire straits, and you were there to save her bacon.”
Edith smiled and lowered her head shyly. “That is overstating my contributions, I believe, but I was happy to assist. I like your mother very much.”
“And you’ve won her admiration, which is quite an accomplishment for a Sassenach. She wanted me to invite you to the McTaggart Christmas Eve celebration.”
Edith’s head snapped up. “Me? But I’m not family. I couldn’t possibly.”
“You cannae decline, lass. My mother has threatened to banish me from the supper table if I dinnae convince you to attend, and I’m no’ verra fond of hunger.”
Edith’s breathy chuckle filled the space between them. “Well, I refuse to be responsible for a man going hungry. Please let your mother know I accept.”