The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd (The MacGregors: Highland Heirs) (32 page)

He had to use caution and do his best to spare his feelings. Ideally, he wanted her to continue to hold him in high affection without forcing him to abandon his values.

“You say I am a man of value and you love that the most about me.”

She nodded, her breath growing heavier, her hands more urgent upon him. She tore at his justacorps but the brocade was too thick to rip.

“My lady, if I do what you want, I won’t be the man
you lost your heart to.” He captured her wrists and looked into her eyes. He recognized the fury brewing in their dark depths.

“Is it the Viscount of Stockton’s wife? What is her name? Amanda? Is she the reason you don’t want me?”

Damn. This was precisely what he feared when he took a woman to his bed, which, contrary to what his friend claimed, didn’t happen often. He sacrificed much to please the throne and keep the queen’s wrath off perfectly innocent women. But it angered him that this jealousy could bring harm to his dear friend. She should be careful, lest she get what she wanted. His expression darkened on her, and, still holding her wrists, he pushed them behind her back.

“Who said I didn’t want you?” He leaned over her, enjoying the frantic beat of her heart against him. If she wanted him, then he would let her know what she was getting. He was no knight in the bedchamber, but a merciless bastard who took long to satisfy and who didn’t stop until he was. He liked it hard and rough, passionate and possessive. “But know this, if I have you, I will take until there is little left. Do you understand, my lady? I will take your heart. You will never deny me from taking what I want, and I will rule over you.”

Her anger over Amanda faded into indignation tinged in fear. “How dare you—”

He took her mouth with raw possession and kissed her until he felt her knees grow weak. He withdrew and stared into her eyes. “The first thing you will need to do is get rid of your husband.”

She pushed away from him, her eyes wide with fear and self-restraint. “I will need time to think over my decision.”

“Of course.” He bowed.

She watched him and smiled while he straightened. “I mentioned my plan for the Jacobites earlier.”

He nodded, thankful for having succeeded in getting her off him without insulting her.

“Captain Lewis is set to leave in the morning with a small number of his men,” she told him. “They’re going to the Highlands to escort a high-ranking Jacobite chief’s daughter back here to be my handmaiden.”

Why the hell would she want a Jacobite in her castle? “What’s your plan?”

She shrugged her shoulders and waved away his question. “Peace. If I keep one of their daughters here with me, they won’t attack.”

Not necessarily, Daniel thought. But still a dreadful undertaking. He was thankful that it wasn’t him that had to do it. The only thing he hated more than the Highlands were Jacobites. He’d fought enough of them to know they were among the most fearsome men who lived. He also knew they hated Anne, and William and Mary before her. They were rebels with no loyalty to the throne or obedience to any law. They were everything he was trained up to despise. Traitors to their king, or in this case, queen. Such people deserved the noose.

“But I think you should go fetch her instead.”

Daniel smiled, sure that he’d heard her incorrectly. “Me?”

“You.” She confirmed with a nod. “I think it best you take a few weeks away to curb this ravishing desire you have for me and to put from your mind these mad notions of ruling over me.”

She turned away and raised her palm over her shoulder in case he thought to follow her. He didn’t.

“You will leave at dawn. Travel sparsely and out of
uniform when you reach the Highlands. You know how Highlanders despise the English. See Captain Lewis about the rest of the details. And Daniel? I will miss you.”

He stared after her. Disgusted and angry. Damn morality. Damn it to hell.

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