Page 13 of Deception of a Highlander

He edged his horse beside hers and tried to ignore the way her heady perfume of roses caressed his senses and coaxed his arousal. “We draw near Edinburgh.” He pointed to the buildings evident through the treetops in the distance. “Can ye see it?”

Mariel craned her neck, and a childish grin touched her lips. She turned toward him, her eyes alight with excitement. “Will we sleep there tonight? On beds?” The question held a note of excited hope.

“Beds? Ach, no. We got rid of those flimsy things years ago. We Scots prefer to sleep on the floor, but,” he added straight-faced, “it’ll be a warm floor.”

The tinkling sound of her laughter left a delightful heat in his chest. “Oh, Kieran, you’re wicked.”

“Aye, lass, ye get to sleep in a real bed tonight,” he conceded. “I’ll even let ye sleep late if ye ask nicely.”

“Is that an invitation?”

The light had faded with the setting sun, but he could still make out the slanted look she gave him. Desire dug her claws deep, leaving him overly grateful for the cloaking shadows blanketing the forest.

“Who’s being wicked now?” Kieran shifted in his saddle for a more accommodating position.

Resisting her affection was becoming more difficult by the day. She wanted to be alone with him. Her desire was evident in the way she remained by his side at camp and the way her fingers lingered against his chest when he helped her down from her horse each day.

But he did not trust himself to be alone with her. Not when he knew a kiss would lead to so much more. Not when pain shone through in her eyes when she thought no one would notice. Not when his secrets were not his own to share. Women asked too many questions, and he could not afford to betray Blair and Dougal.

The heavy forest parted ahead and gave way to the high stone walls of Edinburgh. The aroma of baking bread and roasting meat wafted toward them and set Kieran’s empty belly snarling with anticipation. They would eat well that night.

Kieran had no difficulty locating Sheep’s Heid Inn. The food was good, the ale was fresh, and the beds were comfortable and free of vermin. A barmaid with brown hair winked at Colin as they entered.

Though they’d only been there a handful of times, something about the whitewashed walls and low, wood-beamed ceiling gave Kieran a feeling of home. Casual conversation murmured around them, and the heavy spices of simmering stew hung in the air.

“Back now, are ye?”

Kieran turned to find a sturdy blonde making her way toward him. Her low-laced bodice displayed the tops of her full breasts. The smile on her face was as genuine as her purpose.

Gaira was always happy to see him.

CHAPTER 7

Mariel tried to ignore how the voluptuous blonde’s gaze lingered on Kieran as she addressed them.

“Welcome back, gentlemen. I see ye found a couple of companions along the way.” Her gaze settled pointedly on Mariel. “Ye know we’ve always got the extra ale and rooms available…if necessary.” She began clearing off the table nearest them. “Will ye have the same three rooms, then?”

The subtlety of the question did not mask what she was asking, at least not to Mariel. Especially when the woman paused from her task and looked up at Kieran with her eyebrows raised in a silent demand for an answer.

Kieran, however, seemed oblivious. “Aye, Gaira, with an additional one for Miss Brandon and her woman if ye have it.”

Miss Brandon. He had never called her that before. Again, she felt Gaira’s critical stare sweep over her and she hated the flicker of self-consciousness that made her want to smooth a hand over her hair or pull at the bodice of her rumpled riding habit. She must look a mess after all the time spent on the road.

Mariel chanced a look at Kieran and found his face impassive. He did not stare back at Gaira with the same interest in which she gazed at him, nor did he appear to be overly glad to see the woman.

“I’ll get the rooms set up for ye,” Gaira said with a satisfied grin. “Ye hungry?”

While Mariel had discovered an immediate and profound dislike for the owner of the Sheep’s Heid Inn, she had to admit the woman knew her business. Within minutes their rooms were prepared, fresh ale foamed in the mugs, and a steaming tray of food was heading in their direction.

“Ye’re back sooner than I thought ye’d be,” Gaira said as she passed around their trenchers.

Kieran’s face darkened. “We werena able to find what we were looking for.”

“Well, whatever brings ye into my doors and gets ye into one of my beds always pleases me well.” She patted his cheek and sauntered off.

Jane arched her eyebrow at Mariel from across the table. Apparently, the intimate gesture between the woman and Kieran had not gone unnoticed. Aaron would hear about it.

Mariel looked down at the contents before her. While the food was not what she was used to back in England, it smelled divine. A large piece of sausage-looking meat glistened on the tray, and the scent of cloves and other herbs rose with the wisp of steam. She sliced off a piece and slid it daintily into her mouth. The meat wasn’t cold cheese or gritty bread. No, it was moist and hot and flavorful, and she almost moaned out loud as she ate it.