My Heart's in the Highlands by Angeline Fortin (ebook reader screen TXT) 📕

rather than retreating, his lips seared apath down her neck and back up to her ear, raising goose bumps thatwere chased by a shiver of excitement. A low moan escaped Hero asshe clung to Ian, but, rather than interpreting the sound as thesurrender it was, Ian pulled back and met her eyes. Straightening,he steadied her before stepping back.

Hero stared up at him, all words lost. Theneed to hear some confession from his lips—that he felt the sameinsane attraction for her that she felt for him—was gone. Ian’sdark, turbulent gaze pierced her, leaving her mind surprisinglyblank and her body trembling.

That wasn’t what she had expected at all. Buthow could she have? Hero had never known that a kiss could be soall encompassing, or that desire could prod someone to act sorashly.

Taking a step back, Hero steadied herselfonce more on the rampart, dizzied by the new feelings that wereassailing her. A part of her wanted to throw herself back on himmuch as he had just done and continue down this unknown path. Theother part wanted to lift her skirts and run away.

Hero opted for a well-mannered retreat,though her voice was shaky when she spoke. “It has been a longnight. I believe I shall retire now. Goodnight, Lord Ayr.”

She executed a whisper of a curtsey and hereturned it with a bow, seemingly content to let her leave. Raisinga trembling hand to her lips, Hero turned to walk away, her skirtsdragging against the walls, since she was too preoccupied to liftthem. She had little experience with what had just happened. Roberthadn’t been one for kissing, and certainly not so fervently. Herowished she could go back and respond differently, not with suchshock but with the enthusiasm she felt unable to express.

Of course, she hadn’t been expecting a kiss,Hero thought defensively. She had sought only some small assurancethat his affections—if he possessed any—were not of a fraternalbent. If they had been, Hero would merely have done all that was inher power to maintain a certain distance with the new marquis,avoiding any flirtation so that they might live in peace at Cuileantogether.

She would have no peace now, Hero wascertain. His actions, however impulsive, had set her heart racing,her blood pounding, and her imagination soaring. Once she was ableto gather her wits about her, perhaps she might be able to vocalizesome thought on the subject rather than opting for an abruptexit.

Ian must think her a ninny for her reaction!Hero flushed in embarrassment as she hurried along, but Ian’s roughbrogue broke the silence of the night.

“In case you are still uncertain on thematter, Lady Ayr, a sister might be the very last thing I wouldconsider you.”

Hero glanced back over her shoulder to findhim leaning with a shoulder against the inner wall, arms crossedover his chest. His hot, dark eyes followed her intently.

Swallowing deeply, Hero was torn by the urgeto race back to him and fling herself recklessly into his arms.Years of training on proper deportment held her back, but Hero’seyes flashed. “Thank you for the clarification, Lord Ayr.” Heroconsidered him for a moment longer before adding lightly, “Shouldyou be equally uncertain, please know I cannot consider you eventhe most distant of cousins.”

With a nod, Hero turned away and continuedher walk back up the ramparts and through the armory door.Sedately, she made her way through the castle, murmuring goodnightsto the staff she passed. It wasn’t until she reached her rooms andclosed the door behind her that a wide grin split Hero’s lips.Hugging herself, she twirled about the room before flinging herselfacross the bed.

What an interesting summer it was turning outto be!

While Hero had nearly swooned from theintensity of Ian’s kiss, Mikah’s heart had soared. This was the manwho had lingered at the edges of her dreams for nearly her entirelife. The man who had prompted a sense of watchful anticipationover the years. She suddenly knew without a doubt that he was thereason she’d never been able to maintain a long-term relationshipwith another man, never been able to commit herself. Mikah hadalways felt that something was missing, and the other men hadalways left her feeling empty. No one had ever made her feel theway she had in that moment when Ian had kissed her, so full of joy,trepidation, and passion.

Certainty.

Uncertainty.

It pulled at her heart, invaded her soul. Shewas complete in his arms, complete with him. This connection, thisbond, was what she had been waiting for. Coma, death …suddenly it didn’t matter any longer. If having this man who was inHero Conagham’s life meant embracing her fantastical link withinHero, then Mikah was good with that. There might never be anotherlifetime where anything meant so much.

She lay on the bed grinning up at the canopy.She had left the autumn behind in 2012 in exchange for a mostinteresting summer, indeed!

There was nowhere else she’d rather be.

You don’t find love, itfinds you.

It’s got a little bit todo with destiny, fate,

and what’s written in thestars.

― Anais Nin

Chapter Nine

The next morning …

“My lord! I wasn’t certain if you wereplanning to join us for a walk after all.”

Ian turned to find Hero approaching on herfather’s arm, though he could hardly spare a glance for the fellow.His arousal flared to life, recalling that brief passionate momentthe previous night, and Ian found that he couldn’t look away fromthe woman who had so inflamed him … not only with her body but withthe acknowledgement that she didn’t view him as a close relativeany more than he did her.

Hero was a vision of summer splendor thismorning. Her wide hooped skirts belled around her as she walked,almost giving the impression that she was floating toward him. Thegown she had chosen was a practical choice, given the unexpectedheat of the summer’s day, yet the pale blue muslin skirts waftedabout her like a cloud billowing from the tiny, cinched waist. Thebodice clung tightly to her torso and breasts, and the sleeveshugged her arms to the wrist. Both sleeves and bodice were detailedwith mother-of-pearl buttons. It was a