Chapter 11
The rain continued to pound down, while a deafening rumble reverberated around them, making the ground tremble.
All at once, a crack of lightning brightened the sky, illuminating a small cave amongst the rocks and shrubbery.
Seeing the opening, Duncan quickly steered her into the gap while the horses trailed after them.
It took a few seconds for Adrina’s eyes to adjust to the darkness, and to realize how fortuitous it was for them to find shelter so quickly. She was soaked straight through, and she was cold and shivering.
Adrina looked uncertainly over at Duncan, and saw that he had already taken the saddles off of the palfreys.
But he had also stripped off his great kilt, and had the material hanging loosely over the contraptions to dry.
His actions were so unexpected, and she gulped when she saw that he only wore his leine, the damp shirt clinging to his muscular form.
Try as she might, she was unable to forget how magnificent he appeared in the nude.
That image was already burned into her memory the moment she recognized his unmistakable likeness in the smoky haze.
“I’ll light a fire,” Duncan said as he went to scour the enclosed area for dried twigs and leaves.
She wanted to peel off her own wet clothing, but there was her modesty to consider.
She twisted her lips to one side, undecided as to what she should do.
Still, the damp clothing sticking to her skin made her feel clammy and uncomfortable.
She was certain that if she kept her waterlogged clothing on, sleep would elude her, and her night would be long and unbearable.
Was it really that harmful to strip off her wet clothing, and be at ease?
As far as she could see, there was no one here but Duncan to witness her act of impropriety.
And even if he noticed that she wore only her chemise, it was unlikely that he would care.
Putting aside her modesty, she started to undress. Then walking over to her horse, she followed Duncan’s lead, and draped her arisaid and kirtle over one of the saddles. The shift she wore was only a little damp, and would dry quickly once the fire warmed the cave.
“Do ye think the storm will continue for the entire night?” she asked, hugging her arms tightly to her chest.
“’Tis a possibility.” The small fire began to hiss and spit. “Have a seat,” he said, beckoning to a spot beside him. “The fire willnae last too long, sae ye should enjoy it before ye faint from the chill.”
“I’m nae a frail blossom,” she said, her teeth clattering.
Duncan snorted, but didn’t argue with her. He stretched his hands to the fire, and let out a satisfied sound. “Suit yourself then. There’s more fire for me.”
Standing off to the side and quavering in her damp shift did nothing to improve her spirits, nor did it stop her teeth from clattering.
The rain had soaked through to her skin, almost as if a thin layer of ice had formed there.
With some trepidation, she inched closer to the fire.
Stretching out her hands, she tried to feel its warmth, but she knew that she was too far away.
Duncan raised his eyes to the ceiling in exasperation. “Ye need tae come closer, lass. I promise ye, I willnae bite.”
When still she hesitated, he walked over to her, scooped her up in his arms, and settled her down on his lap.
He then circled his heavy arms around her body, drawing her close to his solid chest, and allowing her to draw from his heat.
She should have moved away from him, but the warmth he provided was comforting.
And instead of squirming away, she snuggled closer to him.
Her senses became alive with his musky, manly scent. And slowly her shivering subsided.
A comfortable silence enveloped them, which was interrupted by the occasional crackle from the fire.
Soft light danced on the cavern walls, encircling them in its cozy embrace.
Somehow being in his presence made her feel safe and protected.
These sentiments were odd since she barely knew the man.
But that wasn’t entirely correct, a voice reminded her.
She had already met Duncan in her dreams.
“Ye ken, ye are different from any man that I’ve known.”
“Likely ye arenae acquainted with many men,” he said, one corner of his mouth quirking up.
“’Tis true, but I feel that I’ve known ye for some time.” And for some reason as well, she felt that she could trust him.
Adrina paused, her mind reaching back to the embrace they shared by the loch, an embrace that had left her confused, and craving something that she couldn’t quite comprehend.
“Why did ye kiss me earlier?” she asked, staring into the pulsating embers. Her courage had suddenly left her, and she was afraid to find ridicule in his eyes. She was a woman full-grown, but she had never experienced ardent passion from any man.
“I couldnae resist the temptation,” he said, shrugging. “And ye are a bonny lass.”
“Nay, I’m nae.” She turned to face him, and shook her head in embarrassment.
“’Twas an interesting experience. However I presume that the husband chosen for me will educate me further in the ways of kissing.
” She just wasn’t certain that she would ever experience the same feverish excitement that Duncan triggered in her.
Of course, this wasn’t something that she could reveal to him.
“’Tis the way of matrimony,” Duncan said, unaware of the direction of her thoughts. “Your father will choose a suitable laird tae ally with Clan MacGill. And if ye are lucky, your husband will treat ye with kindness, and ye willnae want for anything.”
“What if the laird disnae love me?” she asked before she could stop herself.
He lifted one dark brow in question.
She swallowed, and forced herself to continue, knowing that he waited for her to speak.
This worry had bottled up inside of her for so long that it needed to be voiced.
Fingal had convinced her father that she was best served as a pawn.
Her main role was to help secure an alliance with a more dominant clan.
But there was more to life. She was sure of it.
And she wanted more, much more. “My biggest concern is that I’ll nae love the man chosen for me,” she said finally.
“A lass must do her duty, and assist her clan.” He raised a hand to touch her, but at the last moment, he checked his gesture. “I’m sure that whoever marries ye will find himself a fortunate man.”
Adrina felt a flush rising to her cheeks, now regretting what she had revealed.
She had never told anyone of her dilemma, and it was too much to ask that a highland warrior would sympathize with her troubles.
“I suppose ‘tis best tae view marriage the way ye do,” she said, letting out a hollow laugh.
An awkward silence descended upon them. Shifting her body, she felt a need to slide off his lap, and put as much distance between them as possible.
But he stayed her movements.
She stared at the large hand on her arm. The heat from it was palpable, and it seared through the thin material of her shift. When she raised her regard, she discovered him looking back at her, his expression inscrutable.
“If ye desire more education in the ways of kissing, I can help.”
“But ye already kissed me by the loch.”
“Nay, despite what ye think, that smooch was nothing.”
“What are ye saying?” she said warily.
He placed a heavy palm on the side of her face and gently tilted it. “If ye want tae ken a real kiss,” he said, the soft light reflecting off his emerald depths. His large palm slowly ran up and down her spine. “I’ll show ye.”
Adrina held her breath as her gaze dropped to his lips, watching as they came closer and closer.
Her eyes fluttered closed just as his mouth grazed hers.
An explosion of color flashed behind her closed eyelids.
Letting out an involuntary sigh, she allowed her body to melt against his hard contours.
Then as if it had a mind of its own, her hand skimmed along his bicep, over his muscular shoulder.
For a moment she marveled at his marbled strength before she cupped the back of his head, and yielded to his embrace.
Duncan shifted, fitting her body more firmly against his taunt frame. All the while the energy inside of her body swirled, the electric currents building, growing with each passing second.
Their eyes met, and she knew instinctively that the shock and longing she saw there were reflected in her own gaze. There was no doubt that this kiss would be different from the one she experienced earlier.
“Och, lass, I want ye,” he said, his breathing becoming harsh.
She ran her fingers through the fine hairs at his nape, while an innate yearning began to grow at her center.
“I want ye too,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
She knew that she shouldn’t have confessed this, but it was the truth.
He invoked something inside her, something that only he could satisfy.
Eventually her father and his advisor would choose a husband for her.
But for now, she would indulge in what she wanted.
No one had to know. Afterward, her father could marry her off to any old, decrepit laird, and she would do her duty without protest.
“Are ye certain about this?” A glint appeared in his depths, and he searched her eyes as if to discern any form of resistance.
“Aye,” she said, nodding. “I’m certain.”
He searched her one last time, and when he was satisfied with what he saw there, he let out a loud, satisfied groan. Lifting her easily by the hips, he turned her so that she straddled him.
Duncan slid his hands slowly along her legs, pushing at the material of her gown. “Raise your arms,” he commanded softly.
She did as he instructed. Then in one smooth motion, he pulled the thin material over her head.