The Highlander Is All That (Untamed Highlanders #4)(43)

“Of course.” But there was a twinkle of amused skepticism in her eyes. She cleared her throat and glanced down at her hands. “We . . . missed you.”

His heart skipped a beat. “Did you?”

“Yes. Both of you, of course.”

“Of course.” He knew what she was saying and it sent a frisson of excitement through him. “I missed you too,” he said in a deep voice. When her chin snapped up and she caught his eye, he smiled. “All of you.” He took a few more bites, not breaking their gaze. “So . . .”

“So?”

“Did, ah, anything interesting happen when I was gone?”

“Not in the slightest,” she huffed and they both laughed. “Aunt Esmeralda made us go to a musicale last night.”

“How was that?”

“Dismal. Poor Elizabeth had to sit with Twiggenberry all night.”

“Is that so bad? He’s an earl.”

“She doesn’t give a fig for titles, and she really doesn’t like the man.”

“That’s a pity. Lachlan was hopeful about him.”

Anne blinked. “You’re corresponding with the duke?”

“Of course.” He took another bite and then stilled as her expression became thoughtful. “What is it?”

“I, ah . . . Nothing.”

But it was something. It was obviously something. He waited for her to share, because he knew she wanted to.

After a moment she opened her mouth, then closed it again. He tried very hard not to stare at her lips as she worked them. He was so engaged that when she finally spoke, he almost didn’t hear her question. “If I wanted to write to the duke, could I do that?”

Not the question he’d been expecting, but he nodded. “I’m quite sure he would love to hear from you.”

Her adorable little nose wrinkled. “You don’t know what I want to ask him.”

“Do I want to know?”

She tipped her head to the side and studied him. “Probably not.”

He would have been disappointed with her answer if she hadn’t wrapped it in a smile. “Then write your letter. I will see it delivered securely.”

“Thank you, Ranald,” she said shyly. And the sound of his name on her lips, in that tone, stirred something in him. But to be truthful, it had been stirring for a while. Just being in her presence moved him.

She stood then and cupped her hands and said, “I really am glad you’re home.”

And then Anne St. Claire bent her head and kissed him.

On the lips.

Before he could respond, before he could reclaim his senses, she quit the room, leaving him spinning and elated and hard.

*

“Ach, you were right. He does stink.”

The low, melodious voice in her ear sent a thrill through her, and Elizabeth whirled around. She’d been in the library, looking for a book, something to help her recover from a trying morning, but this was much better.

She stepped into Hamish’s arms and kissed him. Or he kissed her. No matter, it was just what she needed.

“I missed you.”

He chuckled. “We spent the entire morning together in the parlor.”

“Not like this. This is what I missed.”

“Me too.”

He pulled her closer and nuzzled her neck, just where she loved it, and she sighed. “Oh, I’ve missed you.”

He chuckled again. “You said that.” He leaned back and smiled at her. “Have you talked to your aunt yet?”

She pulled a face. “She’s meeting with Ranald. I cannot imagine what they have to talk about for so long.”

“Ah, he got a missive from the duke.”

“That would do it.”

“Aye.” He batted his lashes. “What shall we do in the meantime?”

“Ooh,” she said. “I have no idea.”

“Do you no’, my wee lass?”

She chuckled. “Have I ever told you, I love when you call me that?”

“I do believe you have.” He grinned and walked her back until she hit the wall, and he kissed her again. She was breathless and weak by the time he lifted his head. “Shall we go to my room?”

“Oh, yes please—”

But before they could do so, before he could release her, in fact, a screech bounced off the walls of the room in a rumbling roar. It was followed quickly by a booming, “What the bluidy hell is going on here?”

Elizabeth winced and glanced over Hamish’s shoulder.

“Is that who I think it is?” he asked.

She swallowed heavily. “Both of them.”

“Shite.” He dropped his head on her shoulder and huffed.

“We had to face this sooner or later.”

“Aye.” He lifted his head, kissed her again, and then, together, they faced the fury of the baron and Aunt Esmeralda. It was difficult to discern which was worse.

*

Ranald was furious.

He’d come downstairs after that delicious interlude with Anne to be snagged by Esmeralda for a long and unproductive discussion about a gift she might send the duke. Then, when he’d finally broken free—though she had been following him and nattering on—it was to find Elizabeth in the library in Hamish’s arms.