Page 72 of The Laird's Masked Passion

Skye went perfectly still, which was far more dramatic than gasping.

“Was it terrible?”

“Nay,” Elspeth admitted, then immediately wished to disappear into the floor. “I mean… aye. Terrible becauseheis terrible. But nae… unpleasantly terrible.”

Skye stared at her.

Elspeth dropped her hands. “Dinnae look at me as if I have invented witchcraft.”

“I am nae. I am looking at ye as if ye have discovered something and are furious that it exists.”

That was so accurate Elspeth nearly threw a pillow at her.

“He said me body would…change.” The last word emerged with great difficulty. “If I wanted him, or if I was stirred. He said he could explain it.”

Skye’s cheeks colored too. “And did he?”

“Nay. I fled.”

“Of course.”

Elspeth stood again because sitting still made the room feel too small. “It is absurd. I shouldnae wonder about such things. I should be thinking of the feast, and Catriona, and the burned stores, and whether me mother has received me letter. Instead, me mind insists upon returning tae the garden.”

“Tae the kiss?”

“Tae his arrogance.”

“Tae the kiss,” Skye smiled.

Elspeth exhaled. “Aye, tae the kiss.”

The confession hung between them, frightening and strangely freeing.

“What if he is right?” Elspeth asked softly.

Skye did not pretend not to understand. “About pleasure?”

Elspeth nodded.

“Then perhaps yer maither only kent what yer faither taught her,” Skye explained.

The words struck gently, and for that very reason they hurt. Elspeth closed her eyes. Her mother’s fear was not the whole world. Perhaps it was only one room, one marriage, one cruel man. Perhaps there were doors beyond it. Perhaps Colin, barbarian that he was, knew the shape of one. The thought made her pulse flutter.

“I still dislike him,” Elspeth pouted.

Skye’s voice was full of laughter again. “Of course.”

“I dae.”

“Aye.”

“Deeply.”

“Naturally.”

Elspeth turned from the window, feeling cheeks warm but chin lifted. “And tomorrow we shall discuss ribbons, tables, music, and absolutely naething else.”

Skye picked up the basket with a grin. “As ye wish.”