Chapter 28 #2
Together they bent over the map, and the company fell to discussing the matter of tracking Sinclair’s men and trying to predict his intentions so they could plan how best to deflect his encroachments and defend the castle.
For nearly another hour they continued, talking of scouting rotations and defensive positions and protecting the villagers before Malcolm, satisfied with their strategizing, finally drew the meeting to a close.
The councilmen dispersed in clusters, already debating logistics amongst themselves.
Duncan clasped Malcolm’s shoulder briefly. “Ewan and I will see tae the increased patrols.”
Malcolm nodded. “I’ll join ye shortly. First, I need tae fetch somethin’ I need from the library.”
He broke from them in the hall and went in the other direction, towards the library, intent on finding the portfolio containing his father’s notes and detailed hand-drawn maps of his eastern border.
If Sinclair was coming, he would come that way, and Malcom wanted to be sure he knew every inch of the territory.
“Cat. I didnae realize ye were in here.”
Catriona’s heart jumped in her chest, and she almost dropped the book she was holding when she heard Malcolm’s deep voice behind her. A smile sprang instantly to her lips as she whirled about on her toes, thrilled to see him stepping inside the library and closing the door behind him.
“Likewise,” she said, hugging the book she had been looking at to her chest like a gleeful child as he strode towards her.
“’Tis too gloomy tae go outside, so I thought I’d find somethin’ tae read instead,” she explained as he stopped a few feet from her.
She looked up into his dark eyes and melted, unable to do anything but smile at him.
“I’m just as surprised tae see ye here,” she said. A delicious thought occurred to her. “Did ye follow me?” she asked, wanting it to be true.
He laughed softly. “Believe me, I would have if I’d kenned ye were in here.” Briefly, he explained what he had come for.
“Och,” she replied, batting her lashes teasingly. “I admit I’m a wee bit disappointed.”
He tilted his head. “If ’tis flattery ye’re after then yer best bet is Kenneth Forbes.”
“Hmm, well, now ye put it like that...”
They chuckled, then fell silent, their gazes locked on each other’s faces as the tension around them thickened, the only sounds the crackling of the fire and the soft patter of rain against the tall windows.
It was impossible for her not to notice how handsome he looked, with his dark curls slightly disordered, green plaid draped across broad shoulders, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal strong, tan forearms dusted with dark hair.
But it was his smile that almost undid her, sending a heated flush rising up her body all the way to her cheeks.
“How did the meeting go?” she asked softly.
“The treaty’s signed.” Relief flickered briefly in his eyes. “At long last.”
“Och, Malcolm, that’s wonderful news!” she cried, thrilled for him. Every instinct in her wanted to hug him, but she dared not for fear of what it might lead to.
He gave her another devastating smile. “Well, I cannae claim all the credit. I have ye tae thank fer keepin’ Sorcha entertained while me and Kenneth thrashed it out.”
She laughed softly. “Och, that part was easy. Sorcha and I get on very well.”
“Aye, she seemed tae enjoy yer company immensely.” He paused before adding more darkly, “As did Kenneth.”
“Still jealous?” she teased. He answered her with a sizzling gaze which made her feel even hotter. “Well, I’m very pleased fer ye,” she said, striving for control. “I ken how much this agreement matters tae ye.”
He nodded with satisfaction. “Aye, the coffers will fill, and the clansfolk willnae havetae struggle tae feed themselves through the harsh winters from now on.”
Catriona smiled, her heart aching with a tenderness it was hard not to express in touch. “Och, ye care so much fer yer clan, ye make me proud.”
His gaze drifted downward to the large, leather-bound volume in her hand. “Auld Mackie’s Scottish Highland Histories,” he read aloud, his smile expanding. “One of yer favorites, I believe.”
“Aye, but how d’ye ken that?” she asked curiously.
Malcolm barked a quiet laugh. “How dae I ken? Because, lass, I was the one who showed it tae ye in the first place. I used tae spend hours readin’ tae ye from it.”
She blinked. Then a memory suddenly burst upon her, of Malcolm sprawled lazily beneath an oak tree during some long-ago gathering between clans, patiently turning pages while she sat beside him, utterly captivated by stories of selkies, warriors, and Highland ghosts.
Warmth filled her. “So ye did. I’d forgotten.”
“I havenae.”
Their eyes held, the air between them thick enough to cut with a knife. They moved closer, neither seeming capable of resisting the pull, until they were virtually toe to toe.
“’Tis difficult, Cat,” Malcolm said quietly, tension rolling off him along with the warmth of his body, which was seeping into hers.
Her pulse fluttered madly, her cheeks burning. “What is?” she asked, her voice a breathy whisper.
“Bein’ in the same room with ye.”
The honesty in his voice made her breath catch.
“But I must keep me distance while Duncan’s here,” he continued, his jaw tightening with determination as he looked down at her.
She stepped closer, deliberately teasing him. “Is that why ye can scarcely look at me?”
Malcolm inhaled sharply, and when she put a palm against his chest, she gasped aloud as he caught her suddenly against him, his arm a steel cage around her, one hand tangling fiercely into her hair.
The book fell from her fingers, thumping dully to the rug as his mouth crushed against hers, his kiss desperate, hungry, full of pent-up passion.
It hit her like fire, heat exploding through her body instantly. She clutched his shoulders, opening her lips beneath his, kissing him back helplessly as restraint crumbled like a broken dam.
Then, just as abruptly, Malcolm tore himself away, leaving them both breathing hard. He held her upper arms and moved her away before releasing her.
“We cannae dae this now, Cat,” he rasped, sending disappointment burning through her. “If Duncan walks through that door before I’ve spoken tae him properly, he’ll kill me where I stand,” he gritted out.
She did not believe it, but she knew he did. “Aye, I ken it,” she murmured, her lips tingling from the kiss.
“Nae until the matter’s settled,” he said hoarsely.
The pain of longing blossomed in her chest as she looked up at him.
“Aye, but please, Malcolm, dinnae leave that conversation too long,” she whispered. “Because I need ye, and I’m nae sure how much longer I can wait.”
The look Malcolm gave her then stole the strength from her knees, so that she fell back against the bookshelves. His expression grim, he stooped and picked up the fallen book, handing it to her as he straightened.
With one last longing look into his eyes, Catriona clutched the book and hurried from the library, removing herself from the path of temptation.