Chapter Twelve #2
"Do not even attempt a curtsy," Lachlan murmured so softly in Angelique's ear that Camille almost missed it. At the same time, he grasped hold of her arm.
"The pleasure is all mine. And please call me Dugald." He bowed, then his eyes fastened on Camille. "'Tis wonderful to see you again, mademoiselle."
Her face overheating, Camille curtsied. "My laird."
"Come." Lachlan lifted Angelique into his arms. "I'm taking you back upstairs."
"Non, not yet."
"Aye, you need bed-rest, my sweet."
They disappeared out the door and Dugald closed it behind them.
Turning, he could not believe the vision standing before him.
Camille was even lovelier than he remembered.
Her blue eyes sparkled with a captivating light.
And the expression in them… as if she could not take her eyes off him.
Her blond hair was perfectly styled in coiled braids…
which he wanted to unravel, running his fingers through the silken strands, as he had that night at the MacVays'.
He'd come here to make certain she'd arrived home safely… and to prove to himself his obsession with her was all in his imagination. He had hoped that once he saw her, he would feel nothing. But 'twas not the case. Nay, he wished to lift her into his arms and kiss her senseless.
Hell. Now what was he going to do?
"I'm glad you've come to see me." Camille offered a tentative, nervous smile.
Her purring French accent stroked something within him to life, as if she were running her smooth fingers over the bare skin under his plaid. Excitement charged through him. His heart pounded harder.
Observing him, she frowned. "Are you angry with me?"
"Nay, of course not." He sucked in a deep breath, trying to dispel some of the tension within him. "I but wondered… how you were. Whether you had arrived home safely."
"Oui. Very safe. Did you get Mason out of the tolbooth?"
"Aye."
"And did you find the dagger?"
"Nay. The bastard of a shop owner claimed he didn't know the man's name he'd sold it to. I didn't believe a word he said."
"I see." She watched him curiously.
"Camille, I… 'slud." He paced before the fireplace, rubbing the back of his neck. What the devil was he supposed to say to her? How had she gotten beneath his skin? His whole body ached for her.
She moved closer. "What is it, Dugald?"
Saints! The way she said his name positively seduced him.
"I missed you," he blurted.
A wee smile lifted her lips. "I missed you, too."
Damnation, but she was bewitching. He had to kiss her now or suffocate in his own need.
He stepped forward, pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers.
So soft and sweet. Loving the sensation of her fingers delving into his hair to hold him close, he flicked his tongue against her luscious upper lip.
She sighed and opened her mouth slightly.
Moaning, he slipped his tongue inside, tasting her.
Arousal pounded in his blood along with something else.
Aye, he'd felt lust thousands of times within his life, but this was different.
She riveted his soul. He was never so alive as when he was holding her.
The loneliness slid away and elation surged through him. Grinning, he lifted her into the air.
"Dugald?" she gasped. "What are you about?" With a bemused expression, she beamed down at him.
He set her to her feet lest she think him a madman.
Well, mayhap he was, for he was willing to give up everything to have a certain lass by his side forever.
He was about to do the most brash and impulsive thing he'd ever done in his life.
The clan would not approve, nor would his father, if he were here, but that was of little importance.
To Dugald, what mattered most was that Camille brought him to life as no one else ever had.
She sparked excitement and joy in his veins.
'Twas as if he were a youthful lad again discovering the world for the first time.
He had always relied on gut reaction, and what it told him now was to never allow Camille out of his sight again.
To draw her to him, hold her close and safe, and to cherish her forever.
It had naught to do with deliberation, alliances, land or money.
Da would think him mad indeed, but he now knew his father would've never understood him.
They were too different. Dugald did not need months to decide what he wanted his life to be like.
He stroked the soft skin of her face. "Camille…."
"Oui?"
Realizing he wasn't doing this properly, he said, "Here, you must sit." He propelled her toward the settle near the fire, then dropped to one knee before her.
Her eyes widened, welling with tears, and she covered her mouth with both hands.
His pulse pounded in his ears but he felt no hesitation. "Camille… I want you by my side always. Will you marry me?"
She stared at him in shocked wonder for a few moments then blurted, "Oui!
" She threw her arms around his neck and her petite body slammed against him with such force, he lost his balance and toppled to the floor.
She sprawled on top of him, inspiring a bout of mirth which he had not experienced in years.
They both laughed like rambunctious children for several moments, until he grabbed her and kissed her again.
He had never been truly happy until this moment, though he had not been aware of this lack before. How could such emotions as she stirred in him be possible?
"I love you, lass," he whispered.
"And I love you, my Highland rogue." She planted her lips against his in a fearsome kiss, then teased his lips with her tongue. He growled, tugging her tightly against him.
The door burst open and Lachlan appeared, though Dugald was looking at him upside down.
"What the devil?" Lachlan asked.
Camille scrambled off Dugald and they both rose to their feet. He could not tell by the earl's expression what he was thinking as he scrutinized them.
"He's asked me to marry him," Camille said, her face red. "And I've accepted."
"Ah." Lachlan lifted his brows, a slow grin appearing. "I'm glad you decided to do the honorable thing, MacKerrick. Congratulations to you both." He came forward, his hand extended to Dugald.
A bit surprised at Lachlan's change in demeanor from wary to friendly, Dugald shook it. "I thank you."
"Camille is like a wee sister to me," Lachlan said, then lifted her hand and kissed it. "You must promise to always treat her like a princess."
"Indeed, I will," Dugald said, only too happy to agree.
"And I hope this will form an alliance between our clans," Lachlan went on.
"An alliance?" A moment of surprise jolted Dugald. An alliance with an earl? Saints! Couldn't get much better than that. Surely his clan would gladly accept Camille.
"Aye, if you think it would be beneficial," Lachlan said.
"Of course, it would. I would be most honored if our clans could form an alliance."
"I'll have my clerk draw up the documents." Lachlan shook his hand again and left the room.
As soon as the door closed, Dugald drew Camille into his arms and kissed her. "I cannot wait to take you back to Rornoch as my bride."
Joy lit her eyes, but then she frowned. "It will have to be after Angelique has the babe."
"Aye, of course. In the meantime, 'haps we could wed here at Draughon."