My Heart's in the Highlands by Angeline Fortin (best english novels for beginners .TXT) 📗

modest gown, yet from thepeak of her breasts to her shoulders the bodice consisted ofnothing more than ruched ecru chiffon that formed a deep V at theneckline. So sheer was it that Ian imagined he could see the fleshof her breasts swelling above her corset with each breath shetook.

Her blue and ecru lace gloves, bonnet, andparasol all matched the gown, and as she stepped down from theterrace, slippers of the same peeked from beneath her skirts.

Angelic. It was the word that best describedher. Her smile, too, was more than heavenly as she beamed down athim, an attractive blush spreading over her cheeks. Ian felt hisheart twist and his groin grow heavy as he held out his hand andshe placed hers so trustingly in it. He wanted her. Kissing her thenight before had been impulsive, originally meant to do little morethan stop her from forcing him to acknowledge what, in truth, healready knew. The attraction between them was strong andundeniable. Body and mind, he wanted to know every part of her.

But how to express the power of his hungerwithout frightening her off? Despite her years of marriage and herprovocative parting words the preceding evening, there had been aninnocent vulnerability in Hero’s kiss that told him she wasn’twholly wise in the ways of men. His burst of passion, he wascertain, had startled her, though she had responded sweetly inturn.

There must be a courting of sorts, Iandecided with an inner smile, and perhaps a seduction more subtlethan pouncing on her. He would win her into his bed … but wouldthat be enough? Ian shook his head as the question rose in hismind. Enough for what? Good God, all he was looking for was amutually satisfying affair. Perhaps it was her very naiveté thatwas putting such thoughts into his head. Hero Conagham wasn’t thesort to fall into bed with a man she didn’t care for.

Would that be so bad? Another question thatIan pushed aside, putting the blame on long, lonely nights on thebattlefield, and raised her hand to his lips. Nudging up the cuffof her sleeve with his thumb, Ian pressed another kiss to theinside of her wrist. With a flare of satisfaction, he felt herpulse race beneath his lips. “Good morning, Lady Ayr. Of course Iam eagerly anticipating our day. I ate an early breakfast so that Imight get some work done, thereby allowing myself youruninterrupted company as reward.”

“Did you?”

Truthfully, Ian had spent a sleepless night,riddled with sexual frustration, and he wondered if she had beenleft as unsatisfied by their abbreviated encounter as he. “Did yousleep well?”

“I did, thank you,” she responded blithely.“The State Room is a lovely bedchamber.”

Ian inwardly groaned. For all that Hero hadgiven him reason to hope that she might welcome advances from him,it was clear to see that either she hadn’t a clue how strongly sheaffected him or she was simply too naive to appreciate the stateshe had left him in. There was little he could say on the matter,however, with her father by her side. “I’m sorry you were unable toresume residence in your old rooms.”

Hero laughed then, her eyes twinkling. “Itwould hardly be proper for me to inhabit the marchioness’s chamberswhen they are attached to your own.”

Yet I would love to have you there, sonear, Ian thought. With a rueful chuckle, he acknowledged thatit was better that Hero was far removed from him at night. Suchtemptation so close at hand would be too much to bear. It had beenhard enough to imagine her just across the hall.

Aware that Hero’s father was eying himcuriously, Ian turned to the duke with a bow. “Good morning, yourgrace. Did you sleep well?”

“Who are you?” Beaumont asked with afrown.

“Papa, this is the marquis. You met himyesterday when we shared his carriage,” Hero said patiently. “TheMarquis of Ayr.”

“Your husband?”

“No, Papa, my husband died last year. Don’tyou remember?”

“How sad.” The duke studied Ian intently fora moment before his brow cleared. Whatever troubles the duke heldwere swept from his expression, and a smile replaced the worriedfrown. “Did you try the porridge at breakfast, sir? I thought itwas most outstanding.”

“It was, indeed, your grace. Perhaps thefinest porridge I’ve ever had,” Ian agreed. “I believe we have yourdaughter to thank for the fine meals served at Cuilean. She was theone who engaged the cook.”

The duke patted Hero’s hand affectionately,leaning in to whisper sotto voce to Ian. “She’s a veryclever girl.”

“Aye, she is.”

“Very pretty, too.”

Ian turned to find Hero’s cheeks blossoming abecoming shade of pink. “Aye, she is indeed.”

“Papa, really!” Hero chided before addressingIan. “Pay him no mind, my lord. He’s just teasing.”

“Then I am not to agree with him?” Ian askedwith raised brows. “How can I not? You are most fetching thismorning. Though perhaps pretty is not the word I would choose.”

Hero’s lips parted then before she caught herbottom lip between her teeth and Ian grinned roguishly, aware thatshe’d nearly taken his invitation to fish for compliments. Instead,she blushed once more and glanced up at him from beneath herlashes. “You shouldn’t toy with me so, my lord.”

“Who’s toying?” he asked with an innocentshrug. “You are as lovely as this glorious day. And I thought wehad agreed that you would call me Ian.”

“Ian?” Beaumont cut in with a joyful smile.“I once had a cousin named Ian whom I liked very much. His houndswere the best I’ve ever seen.”

Ian couldn’t help but smile at the olderman’s enthusiasm. “I’m pleased to think my name rouses such happymemories, your grace. Perhaps you might help me to convince yourdaughter to address me as such.”

“You should, girl,” the duke saidimmediately. “We don’t want to be rude. I’ll even let him call meHarry. No one’s called me Harry since I was a young lad.”

“I would be honored, Harry.” Ian bent in aslight bow and grinned devilishly at Hero, who just rolled her eyesand shook her head.

“Papa, I shouldn’t …”

“Harry,” the duke insisted of her aswell.

“Papa! Really!” Hero sighed in frustrationbut Beaumont just crossed his arms over his burly chest and scowledat her. Hero shook her head once more in resignation. “Harry.”

Both men smiled engagingly,