His Bonnie Bride by Hannah Howell (the beginning after the end read novel .TXT) 📕

His tone indicated that he had no need to, and Storm had to agree. "Who is to say that Tavis has done so? Do ye see any sign that force has been used upon me? I bear no bruises or shackle marks. Do I hold the fear of one much abused?"

"Are you saying that you go to him willingly?"

"Nay, but I have not been hit o'er the head either. Tell me true, sir, an I come with you, do ye mean to make no try to draw me into your bed? Would I not trade one seducer for another?"

Alexander stared into her wide, guileless amber eyes and nearly hated Tavis MacLagan. Here was a woman who used no ploys nor airs but had the straightforward honesty of a man. The passion he could read in the full shape of her mouth and supple lines of her body would come forth as honestly as everything else about her. Tavis was enjoying that, and Alex wanted to taste it. He was, however, beginning to think that he never would, for instinct was telling him that Tavis was getting a lot more than a naturally passionate woman's response to a skilled hand, whether he knew it or not, and Alex doubted that Tavis did. In such matters it was sometimes easier for others to see how matters stood.

Lightly touching her thick braids, he replied, "I would make no effort to place you where you did not want to be."

"But that does not say ye will not try to make me wish to be there."

With a soft laugh, Alex said, "What man would not try to woo a lovely lady?"

"Ye asked that we be open with each other so I will admit that I would no doubt find myself established in your home as I find myself established here. I think ye are well aware of your handsomeness and charm as well as how successfully they achieve your aim. Since I feel ye have been no stranger to women, ye would know well how to employ the subtle arts of seduction. I do not feel I add to any conceit ye may have by saying ye feel sure of success nor that ye are right in feeling so. Being blunt, as I am no longer a maid, 'tis merely easier for ye for now I hold no fears to hold me back but knowledge to make my resistance weaker."

"There is openness with a vengeance, m'lady. I would, however, be offering ye a choice."

"Nay, sir, merely a change. Subtle ye may be, but it all comes round to the same thing—me, the first born and only daughter of an English border lord, unwed and mayhaps now unweddable, sharing the bed of a Scottish reiver. At least now I am with folk I know and, may my father forgive me," she grinned, "like. I have little wish to change that for the unknown, which will be equally as transitory. At least now, when I return home, I can say, in all truthfulness, that it has been but one man who has put me to shame."

Lifting her hand, he kissed her palm and then kept hold of her hand. "You, Mistress Eldon, are a beautiful woman with a logical mind. 'Tis a combination sure to make any man quake." He caught his breath when she laughed. "Ah, now that is a sound lovely enough to bring any man to his knees."

The warmth in his eyes and the way they lingered on her mouth made Storm feel decidedly breathless. "Ye are flirting with me, sir, and 'tis unsure I am that that is wise." She caught his gaze flicking toward Tavis, noted that Tavis was staring at them and suddenly understood some of Alex's desire for her. "Do ye not think I have far and above enough woes without ye making me a pawn in some male game?"

For the first time in a long while, Alex felt the heat of shame touch his cheeks. "Acuteness of perception in a woman is almost as unsettling as logic. You unman me, madam."

She laughed softly. "That, sir, is an impossibility. Naught but a sword could accomplish that." She gaped and blushed when she realized how outspoken she had just been, but Alex roared with delighted laughter.

He lightly caressed the high color on one cheek with his knuckles. "Tavis and I have oft known the same women. It has long been a game of sorts for us to see which could seduce the lady first or to see if we could seduce her out of the other's bed. It has been this way for nigh on to five years."

Glancing toward Tavis, Storm read far more than competition there. "That is all?"

Again he brought her palm to his lips. "It does not dim my desire for you, Storm Eldon."

"Thank ye, sir, but that is not what I meant. There is something more behind this game ye play."

Alex sighed. "Aye, on Tavis's part, mostly. There was a lady, though I hesitate to call her such, five years past. Tavis believed he loved her." Alex took note of the expressions that flittered over Storm's face with little surprise. "Having been there once myself, I realize how he saw her as near to a saint. He caught us together. He ne'er blamed me, for he kenned I took only what was offered, but such disillusionment is hard to forget." He smiled gently at her. "However, the past need not cloud our future."

"Storm's future isnae your concern, Alex. M'lady, I think ye lose sight of who ye be, a hostage, not a guest. 'Tis time ye returned to your room."

Storm took one look at blue eyes that were pure ice, making his cold words seem almost warm, and swallowed the angry retort hovering on her tongue. With all the dignity she could muster, she rose, bid good evening to Alex and followed Angus to her room.

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