Page 32 of A Temptress in Tartan

Elizabeth knew exactly how the chatelaine felt. In the past few days, her own life had taken an unforeseen turn. She was now mistress of her own home, and she’d been given a purpose that went far beyond herself. The castle residents were eager to sit at her feet and soak up whatever she would give them in order to better their own lives.

Just as Lachlan had bettered hers. He had changed. Or was it she who had become something different, molded by her circumstances? When she was in Lachlan’s presence, she no longer felt a twist of hatred. Instead, when he looked her way and smiled, her stomach took flight in the most disturbing of ways. And when he touched her . . . an odd warmth flowed through her limbs. A wild cascade of sensations tumbled through Elizabeth as she remembered how Lachlan had taken her hand as they walked through the village yesterday, and how he had pulled her against the hard musculature of his chest when she’d started to trip on an uneven cobblestone.

“How did the lessons go?” a voice called from the doorway.

Elizabeth was jarred from her thoughts at the sight of Lucy coming into the chamber. “Better than I could ever have expected. They are all so eager to learn.”

Lucy sat on the bench, and put out a beckoning hand to Elizabeth. “They are fortunate you can teach them such skills.”

“I feel like I am the fortunate one.”

“The Douglas men are unique among men,” Lucy said with an understanding smile. “I just sent a servant off to deliver a letter from Lachlan to my sister-in-law, Vivian, asking her to take on a new student, training her in the art of healing. For a Jane Wenham? Do you know her?”

“Aye. Lachlan and I met her on our travels here.” Elizabeth had felt a bond with Lucy from the moment they had met. She was so easy to talk to. Thrilled that she had come to her now, Elizabeth set the slate she held on a table, then moved to sit beside her new cousin. She’d had several intimate conversations with the queen while she’d been at Falkland Palace, but it had been years before that since she’d enjoyed female companionship. And never had she talked with another woman about a man. “Can I ask you something?”

Lucy settled her hands in her lap. “Anything.”

“I know you had little choice in your marriage partner, much like myself. Did you always like Reid?”

Lucy’s smile turned soft. “I did, but I tried to convince myself I did not. It was easier to hold myself apart than to trust him.” Her gaze sharpened. “Do you ask because of your desire to know more about me and Reid, or does the question have more to do with you and Lachlan?”

“Is it that easy to see through my words?”

“It is more of what is in your expression than what is in your words,” Lucy replied. “Is all going well between you two?”

“Apart from the fact he is insufferable at times.”

Lucy smiled and her eyes danced. “You like him.”

“The way I feel matters not. My father is coming, and he is set upon revenge. The feud between our families has gone on too long for my marriage to a Douglas to make any difference to him. Now that he’s gotten what he wanted from the king, my father will find a way to stir up trouble again.”

“Don’t let him. Stand for what you want, regardless of what has passed between the clans before now.”

Elizabeth frowned. “I’ve never gone against my father before.”

“What will be the result if you don’t?”

Her heart gave a jerk and then began to pound wildly. “A battle.”

“If it comes to that, then people will die on both sides of that conflict. Is that what you want?”

Elizabeth stood. “I don’t know what I want,” she said, her voice shaking. “This would be so much easier if I did.”

“You do know what you want,” Lucy said smoothly. “You are simply afraid to reach for it.”

“I’m not as brave as you.”

“Aye, you are. You’ve already proven that a hundred times in the last few days. It takes a strong and brave woman to leave everyone and everything she knows behind and to start over with no guarantees or promises.”

But Lachlan had made her one promise: to keep her from harm. But in keeping that promise, would he endanger himself instead? Could she put an end to it all by standing up to her father?

Elizabeth’s thoughts were an incoherent jumble as her emotions vacillated between hope, anxiety, and fear. “You do not know my father.”

Lucy raised a brow. “And he knows not the woman you mean to become.” She stood. “If you truly care about his welfare and the lives of the people in this castle, then you’ll stand up to him and fast.”

“Why do you say that?” Panic speared through Elizabeth.

“Because your father and his men were spotted approaching the castle over two hours ago. They will be here at any moment.”