Once Upon A Highland Christmas by Sue-Ellen Welfonder Page B

draw breath.
    Grim lifted a hand, brushing his knuckles down her cheek. “The men of my clan are known to move in silence, when we must. Suchlike serves us well in times of war. Now and again I forget myself and do so when such a skill is no’ needed.
    “Mackintosh men can also be grand fools, on occasion.” He lowered his hand, trailing his fingers along the side of her neck where he touched the fluttering pulse at the base of her throat as if its rapid beats were a thing of great wonder. “And I have been the greatest lummox of all.
    “I’ve made a grave error with this journey.” He looked miserable, his face grieved, his tone somber.
    Breena’s heart split to see his unhappiness.
    He regretted bringing her with him.
    A truth that brought all her hopes and dreams, her most fervent beliefs in the wonder of Yule, crashing down around her.
    “I understand.” She did, and it was terrible, the hurt eating at her as surely as if hordes of carrion were tearing into her heart.
    Not wanting him to guess, she lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with all the dignity she could muster. “Further, I have told you, I’m not a lady.
    “I am an Irish village lass and glad that is so.” She tightened her grip on the drying cloth, keenly aware of her unclothed state. Her still-damp hair tumbling about her shoulders, in total disarray. The chill bumps that surely made her so unsightly.
    All that, Grim had to see, even with only one candle flickering on the bed’s night table, and the room’s two poorly burning oil lamps.
    She looked a fright, the pads of her fingers and toes even shriveled.
    Had she truly believed she could linger in the tub until Grim strolled into the room, “surprising” her as she bathed, the sight of her bared breasts proving her a woman? More shameful still, a siren he’d pounce upon?
    Had she been so wicked?
    She had.
    She’d even stayed in the tub until the lavender-scented water turned so cold she wouldn’t have wondered if ice skimmed the surface.
    All in the hope of seducing Grim.
    Now he was here. She wasn’t in the tub, but was as good as naked. And he wasn’t eyeing her in the appreciative way she’d hoped he’d do.
    He was looking at her as if he stood on a field of battle and she was his foe.
    “Perhaps you’re no’ a lady by the rights of law.” His frown was even darker now. “You heard what I think of that in Lady Rosalie’s room of stars, back in Duncreag’s Winter Tower. I’ve no’ changed my mind.”
    “Yet you’re sorry we made this journey.” Stepping around him as gracefully as her soreness allowed, Breena started for the bed. She hoped to snatch the chin-to-ankle woolen night-robe Flora had given her because the room lacked a hearth, a small coal-burning brazier its only warmth.
    “You wish I’d stayed at Duncreag.”
    “I didnae say that.” Grim moved with lightning speed, his arm shooting out to seize her wrist, his iron grip drawing her back to him. “I said I erred and I did. My mistake was no’ bringing you with me, but allowing us to pretend we’re betrothed.”
    “I see.” Breena felt heat sweep her, knew her face was flaming. “You’re embarrassed by—”
    “I’m in love with you, is what I am!” He grasped her face, kissed her roughly, a deep, hot kiss that set her senses spinning. “I dinnae want to play your intended.” He tore his mouth from hers, his eyes blazing. “I’m no’ a man for foolery and deceit and ne’er will be. Truth is I want you for my own, as my wife.”
    “You wish us to marry?” Breena could scarce believe it. She touched a shaky hand to her lips, could almost feel them tingling from his kiss. His words, his avowal of love, threatened to burst her heart. The chilly little room tilted, careening crazily around them as the floor seemed to rise and fall like the tides of the sea. Outside, the wind shrieked and the room was colder than ever. She could also hear one of the Munzie dogs barking.
    But none of that felt