Page 20 of The Highlander’s Improper Wife

Caroline sat in the drawing room of her uncle’s townhouse, spooning a second teaspoon of sugar into a teacup as she released a temporary sigh of relief that the last of the wedding guests had departed. She glanced up to see her uncle in the doorway, a shoulder leaning against the doorjamb. Apprehension tensed her shoulders when he straightened and strode towards her. His anger at her attempts to ruin the wedding had been plain throughout the meal, but she had managed to avoid being alone with him. Time to pay the piper.

She stirred the tea with remarkably steady fingers considering the clamoring within her. She set the spoon on the tray. He lowered himself onto the opposite end of the divan and stretched a hand out across the back of it. Caroline leaned against the cushion and met his gaze while blowing across the surface of the tea. He had the same raven hair and dark green eyes her mother had…the same coloring as Caroline.

At forty-five, his broad shoulders and muscled thighs still made him a match for even the younger bucks who vied for female attention. Caroline understood why women were attracted to him. The mystique of the privateer turned pirate proved a powerful aphrodisiac and opened more doors—bedchamber doors—within the ton than even his wealth had.

“Your trifling attempts to fend off Lord Blackhall will cost you,” he said.

“You mistake me for your former ward,” Caroline replied. “I am no longer under your rule.”

“Do not be a fool. I still have a great deal of power. Your husband might find your actions amusing. I do not.”

She sipped her tea. Oddly, her husband had found her actions amusing. She steadied the tremble in her hand. The gold band on the third finger of her right hand weighed her down like lead. How had she managed to lose her innocence to the one man she wanted to avoid?

Another thought struck. Perhaps the light of day had brought Lord Taran Blackhall to his senses and he’d realized the passion he felt for Aphrodite was nothing more than lust. Lust incited by the debauched atmosphere of the masque. That would make his anger all the worse.

Taran appeared in the doorway. Caroline jerked. Tea sloshed over the cup’s rim, onto the saucer and her dress. She cried out.

He uncle straightened. “Caroline.”

Taran was at her side in an instant. He snatched a napkin from the table, dropped to one knee, and dabbed at the spot on her thigh. Fire shot to her core.

“My lord.”

She leaned forward in order to set the cup on the table, realizing too late her breast would brush his arm, and tried to dodge him. Cup and saucer hit the table with a clatter. Taran paused in dabbing at her dress. “Something wrong, my lady?” She snatched the napkin from him and glared.

“No need to be embarrassed. The guests have all gone,” he said.

“Clumsy girl,” her uncle muttered.

Taran shot him a hard glance, then returned his attention to Caroline. “Forgive me for startling you.” He rose.

Despite knowing the spot on her skirt was no longer wet, Caroline wiped at it.

“I also ask forgiveness for forcing you to travel on your wedding day,” he said.

She jerked her gaze onto him. “What?”

“I am sorry you must face the journey back to Scotland so soon, but I—”

“Scotland?”

Taran frowned. “Yes, that is why I asked that the wedding be held here in Newcastle.” She started to reply, but he shifted his gaze to her uncle. “You did not tell her?”

“I thought it best she not be given more reason to balk.”

Taran’s lips thinned. He looked back at her. “Forgive me. I should have told you. We leave straightaway.”

“Surely, I need not go with you. I am content to await you here.”

He shook his head. “I have business that cannot wait an extra day.”

Her stomach knotted. He couldn’t wait the night it would take to consummate the marriage. If he were anyone but the kilted god she had met last night, she would lead him to her bedchamber and be done with the consummation.

“My lord, such a trip will require packing and a maid. Surely you would not demand I go without a maid.”

“Bring anyone you like.”

“But, I have not arranged with anyone among the staff to leave.”