Page 28 of Anice’s Bargain

He led her from the room as sleepy servants cleared away the final cups remaining on the trestles. “Aye, they are the worst sort of people. Without exception.”

Anice shifted closer to him. “I disagree.”

“Oh?”

Her delicate fingers stroked over the fabric of his sleeve, a movement both enticing and overtly sexual. “I suspect there might be an exception.”

James swallowed. “And who might that be?”

She shrugged with seeming nonchalance. “Someone of your acquaintance.”

“My da?”

She gave a soft, purring chuckle and nestled closer to him. “Nay, but did you see how he and Isla danced?”

He couldn’t have avoided the pair if he’d wanted to. His da’s hands had been quite free as they roamed over the ancient woman during one particular song. They’d broken apart afterwards and blessedly gone their separate ways.

James groaned aloud and Anice giggled at his reaction. He liked this side of her: relaxed and sensual.

All too soon, they reached the door to her room. He stopped and released her arm to offer a bow. “My lady is safely delivered to her chambers.”

She turned to face him, her eyes bright with blatant flirtation. God’s teeth, but she was an alluring woman. Even if she knew it, he couldn’t deny how very attracted he was to her. Her bonny face with long-lashed blue eyes and full lips; her body with firm breasts, slender frame, and her long, graceful limbs.

“How could I possibly thank you for such bravery?” She tilted her face up toward him.

Unbidden, his hand moved to caress her cheek. His fingertips met impossibly soft skin, smoother and more luxurious than he’d imagined. She drew in a breath and closed her eyes, leaning into his touch.

He tilted her chin with the pad of his pinky and lowered his mouth to hers, claiming the woman who would be his wife with a searing kiss.