Love in the Time of a Highland Laird (A Laird for All Time Book 3) by Angeline Fortin (whitelam books .TXT) 📗

Ben Wyvis on the other side. From a distance, the mountain was long and low, shaded in purple and darker greens. The terrain soon tamed to rolling hills, hazy against the afternoon sky as they progressed. The firth grew wider and wider still. But for one lone, squat castle tower along the shore, there was nothing to obscure the spectacular vista. Though they were passed at one point by a small band of redcoat soldiers.

The afternoon sun pounded down on them, making her glad for the wide brim of her hat to shade her pale skin. It was hot for April and, she gathered, Scotland in general. But where the interior of the closed carriage had been stifling before, she appreciated the cool breezes wafting in from the firth. It made the heat more bearable but she was still hot and sticky under her many layers.

The carriage turned away from the shoreline but while it remained in view, another body of water came into sight on the right. The Moray Firth, Keir explained.

Then Rosebraugh, just as captivating as he had said. It sat on the spit of land close to the southern shore where the two bodies of water met. Appearing through the haze of the hot afternoon like a mirage. The sight took Al’s breath away and she was instantly enchanted.

But the heavenly looking water beyond was what drew and kept her attention. Sunlight danced off the gently lapping surface like nymphs tempting her to join them. As hot as she was, she desperately wanted to. The closer they got to the castle, the louder it called to her. The gates to Rosebraugh were just yards away. As ornate as they were, they didn’t seem near as welcoming.

“Is there a beach on the firth?”

“Aye. Why?”

“Could I walk down there?”

“I suppose. But ’tis a bit of a climb and the day is uncomfortably warm.”

“Yes, but the water looks so inviting.”

“Invit…” He trailed off with a grin as the anticipation in her voice clued him in, and then called for his coachman to halt the carriage. He leapt down before it came to a stop and held his arms up to her. “So, ye fancy a swim, do ye?”

Al nodded eagerly and fell into his arms. “You don’t have to come with me. I can go by myself. I’m sure you have business waiting for you there.”

Yes, it made sense now that he would need to visit Rosebraugh after the revelation of the previous day. “And you did say back in town that we were in a hurry.”

“Honestly, I’m in nae more hurry today tae be a duke than I was yesterday,” he said. “Also, I’m overheated myself. It can wait an hour more.”

They why couldn’t it have waited before?

Before she could ask, he waved the carriage on and clasped her hand, tugging her forward. Soon they were all but running for the edge of the cliff side overlooking the Moray Firth. Then it became a race. Laughing breathlessly, she scrambled down the steep hill without incident. The lure of cool water was all she needed.

They reached the bottom and Keir shot her a wicked grin before he was running toward the surf, throwing off his jacket and vest as he sprinted. She was close on his heels though she reached the water’s edge still fully clad while he wore nothing above the waist and was already kicking off his boots.

She was struggling with her ties when he stepped into the water. “Hey! What about me?”

He looked back at her, his roguish brow lifted. “I anticipated the merest glimpse of yer ankles, lass. Do ye intend tae do more than lift yer skirts and wade to yer calves like a lady?”

“Would there be anyone around to see? Beside you, I mean?”

“Nay, this entire end of the peninsula is owned by the dukedom.”

“Then absolutely,” she retorted, laughing with him as he spun her around to loosen the laces of her dress. Within seconds, her bodice drooped forward. She admired his rakish skills and told him so. He took no offense this time but merely grinned wickedly and unbuttoned the front flap of his trousers.

Blushing hotly, she turned her back. She dropped her dress and untied her petticoat, but clung to both. Getting naked in front of a man was as far beyond her normal comfort zone as having one get naked in front of her was.

The lure of the water was stronger than her modesty, it seemed. Or was it Keir who made her so daring? He’d already proven that he could. She let the garments fall to the sand and stepped out of them.

A splash sounded behind her and she spun around just as he emerged from the water, shaking his head so that drops of water flew into the air, sparkling in the sunlight.

Working faster, she toed off her shoes and unrolled her hose, cursing whomever had decided women had to wear so many clothes.

“Join me,” he called, splashing water at her as he strode closer.

Not naked, as she’d thought, his linen drawers hung low across his hips. The sight of that dark hair sprinkled across his broad chest then narrowing over his rippled abs stole her breath. Her gaze followed it down, down before it disappeared into the wet, clinging garment. The way it hugged every inch of him might have been even more tantalizing than utter nudity.

Sweet, godly perfection. She sucked in a deep, shaky breath. It was obvious why she wanted him. Any sane woman would.

With only her linen shift left over her bra and panties, she paused before lifting it over her head, but hesitated longer in reaching behind her to unclasp her bra.

Normally, she wouldn’t have dreamed of even getting close to skinny dipping in the water where anyone might come across her. Where a man might be witness to her plump curves without the proper support. She just didn’t have the body for it. Especially not one on par with his.

“Is this the bikini